05.12.07 – By Marcus Wood: Before we get into this I should probably point out that the title of this piece may be slightly misleading. I’m not suggesting that the fight itself is definitely going to be an instant classic. It could well be, but we’ll get to that later. No, what I’m suggesting is that the match up and everything surrounding it has been classic. Taking the bad guy role we have one Floyd Mayweather Jr., the cocky, arrogant unbeaten celebrity who’s on home turf. On the other side is Ricky Hatton, the opposite of Mayweather in ever way. Naturally before the fight had even been announced there were words flying back and forth between the two camps. When the idea of a fight between the two was only an idea, Mayweather showed his respect for Hatton by saying he was going to punch him “in his beer belly.”
After that meek start it only continued from there with Mayweather playing the antagonist but Hatton giving it right back. These kinds of exchanges often provide the bad guy then by default the good guy. Muhammad Ali filled both roles throughout his career most memorably against George Foreman, which turned out to be a much anticipated event, partly for that reason. The same could be said of Mike Tyson, who maybe took it a little too far on occasion.
The part of this that is really interesting is the in-ring match up of the two, which does have the chance of producing a classic. Mayweather, when allowed to be, is very stylish in the ring, preferring to fight on the outside. Hatton is, once again, the complete opposite, a rugged brawler who works best on the inside. This will often make for a good fight with both men competing to follow his own game plan and control the fight. Although it is dependant on whether referee Joe Cortez allows Hatton to work from the inside, the odds are good that it should at least be an entertaining bout with Hatton looking for a KO in a brawl and Mayweather a clean points victory. Both men appear to be bringing their dancing shoes to the MGM on Saturday so it shouldn’t be easy for either man regardless of anything else.
Obviously there is always a risk that come December 8th the two conflicting styles manage to cancel each other out, resulting in a less than stellar contest. Hopefully however that won’t e the case and we’re in for a barn burner that will be a classic. Predictions? Mayweather in 9. But don’t hold it against me.