By Ted Sares: The Prediction – The contrasting styles here suggest an encounter between a Matador and a Bull. While PBF may not be able to showcase his full skill-set in this bout, I see him winning the fight by UD. As well, Ricky’s propensity to cut and swell could result in a late-round stoppage. However, if Ricky can somehow hurt and then trap Floyd on the ropes or in a corner, we might well see something else.
I sure hope I am wrong, but this time around, I don’t look for a Blue Moon in the evening sky over Manchester..
The Outcome
The fight ended by late round stoppage, though not by cuts, as Mayweather took out Hatton in the tenth with a series of devastating left hooks.
The early part of the fight was on the ugly and brawling side with perhaps too much Joe Cortez–and with Mayweather landing crunching, albeit single shots and then strategically grabbing. Pretty Boy took the Haton crowd out of the fight early on and the only people who seemed to think Hatton was doing well were members of the HBO team with Jim Lampley doing most of the inexplicable and annoying cheerleading. Later, and without the necessity for grabbing, Mayweather began landing vicious lead rights (potshots if you will) and did subtle body work as well. Then, after the eighth stanza (during which Pretty Boy administered a brutal beat down on the Hitman), it became crystal clear how the fight would end.
Clearly, Hatton fighting at 145 pounds was fighting at the wrong weight. He is a light welterweight and that’s where he needs to stay.
Tonight, Floyd Mayweather Junior punctuated the fact he is the best pound for pound fighter in the world. He has never looked better.