17.12.07 – By Dave Domenico: Since the big showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton transpired last Saturday, we now have some time for after thought. As I tuned in live for the fight that night, we all get caught up in the excitement when watching a fight live that we do not have time to reflect until the event passes. Now that I have had some time to reflect, here is what I came up with as I am also offering a different statement than what has been observed on this site..
My Prognosis:
If Ricky Hatton is to continue his career (which he no doubt should), he must be taken to the next level by a world class trainer. I am not knocking his Manchester mate Billy Graham in any way, but it seemed apparent to me that Graham has taken Hatton as far as he can and Ricky must now move on. His team has brought him to the world stage but now he needs a world stage trainer to sustain his career at this juncture. What I saw in this fight convinced me of this: First off, team Hatton had the correct strategy in applying constant pressure on Mayweather and pushing him into the ropes.
The strategy was correct but the execution of it was not. Hatton had the speed and the tenacity to crowd and pressure Mayweather but when he did, he was largely ineffective. For his part, Mayweather fought a perfect fight and clearly demonstrated his ring skills, so I am not taking anything away from Floyd. He did fight a perfect fight. Hatton showed some serious flaws that cost him the fight in my opinion. When Hatton managed to get in close, he smothered his own punches by staying too close to Mayweather and allowing him to tie him up. Hatton needed to take a step back to give himself punching room to try to land more effective shots rather than the clubbing wild punches that he threw.
Hatton also lacked a jab. When Mayweather fought De La Hoya, De La Hoya showed that when he used a consistent jab, it was very effective against Mayweather. Hatton had virtually no jab in the entire fight and it showed when around the middle of the fight Mayweather was able to time Hatton as he came in and land effective counter punches. Had Ricky Hatton utilized a jab he may have negated Floyd’s timing and allowed himself to launch a more effective offense. Finally, Hatton had virtually no defense. He did show tenacity and a good chin but he way leaving himself way too open for a slick right hand counter, which consequently Mayweather was landing effectively through out much of the bout.
The Conclusion?
Hatton showed fundamental flaws in his technique that must be remedied if he is to compete at the top level. To make it simple, he lacked the boxing fundamentals to make his pressuring style of fighting truly effective. He needs to improve his fundamentals like a good jab and the ability to throw measured strait punched rather than clubbing and wild swings. He needs to work on his defense so he is not wide open for a counter as he moves in on his opponent. Finally, when in close he must allow himself room to throw punches and not smother himself by grappling and mauling too much.
Ricky Hatton must now leave his Manchester comfort zone and seek out a world class trainer to bring him up to the top level. He is not the first fighter to do it and we will not be the last. He certainly has the ability, and although he was defeated, his stock is still high in his ability to make lucrative and entertaining matchups. The questions remains whom should Hatton work with now? Manny Steward? Freddy Roach? Floyd Mayweather Sr? We must wait and see.