Reports coming out of England state that a deal to match Jr. Welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu against undefeated Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton is almost a done deal. The bout is tentatively scheduled for March 5, 2005 at Manchester's MEN Arena. Hatton is facing Ray Oliveira in London on December 11. Tszyu is not taking any bout prior to the Hatton bout, Tszyu only wants big money fights. [details (http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=339)]

Reports coming out of England state that a deal to match Jr. Welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu against undefeated Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton is almost a done deal. The bout is tentatively scheduled for March 5, 2005 at Manchester's MEN Arena. Hatton is facing Ray Oliveira in London on December 11. Tszyu is not taking any bout prior to the Hatton bout, Tszyu only wants big money fights. [details (http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=339)]

Yes, it was in the English papers this morning. KT apparently getting £2million, so the majority of the purse as it should be. Bring it on!!

It looks like we will see if the Ricky Hatton hype is real! (Words of wisdom Ricky, "beware of the straight right")

poor hatton...well two things will become clear.

can kostya keep performing and is hatton world class.

poor hatton...well two things will become clear.

can kostya keep performing and is hatton world class.
Kostya shall destroy.

Right. Sure. Anything Warren says.

Be prepared to be disappointed again. Sorry.

20,000 + including myself will pack the MEN to see Hatton become a God amongst men. Good to see Warren is willing to pay the champion what he's worth to travel to Manchester for this title fight. Can't Wait!!

i feel u on that

Well there you go . . . Hatton's first acid test to prove that he is a world class fighter. :cool:

Hope KT does not take this fight

1. Hatton has not earned it in my mind
2. If KT wins Hatton will be an all hype fighter (which is actually kind of true) and KT will get no credit like he would with say
Spinks or PBF. IF its a good fight then RH will be a legit defense nothing more.

In other words i think there are bigger fights out there.


By the way first thing i thought when i read this is
"another BS promotional thing that is nowhere near ready"

but on the other hand they are both Showtime fighters

so it sounds possible.

Hope KT does not take this fight

1. Hatton has not earned it in my mind
2. If KT wins Hatton will be an all hype fighter (which is actually kind of true) and KT will get no credit like he would with say
Spinks or PBF. IF its a good fight then RH will be a legit defense nothing more.

In other words i think there are bigger fights out there.


By the way first thing i thought when i read this is
"another BS promotional thing that is nowhere near ready"

but on the other hand they are both Showtime fighters

so it sounds possible.

Being ranked #1 in the IBF and WBO isn't enough? 37-0 isn't enough? Tszyu doesn't stand a chance!!

This should be good if it goes ahead. Hatton will get the chance to prove whether he's got what it takes, while Kostya's getting paid like a motherF%$ker. Should make for an exciting fight however if Hatton is to get inside, he's gonna have to take some shots and I don't know if He can take them from Kostya.

Only problem, is that if Hatton wins, he'll never leave the MEN arena for the rest of his career.

Hope KT does not take this fight

1. Hatton has not earned it in my mind
2. If KT wins Hatton will be an all hype fighter (which is actually kind of true) and KT will get no credit like he would with say
Spinks or PBF. IF its a good fight then RH will be a legit defense nothing more.

In other words i think there are bigger fights out there.


By the way first thing i thought when i read this is
"another BS promotional thing that is nowhere near ready"

but on the other hand they are both Showtime fighters

so it sounds possible.


I believe you are right . . .Hatton is lucky to get this break if it does happen.

I can't believe some of the comments on here. People say that he fights nobody's and needs to step it up and when it's rumoured that he's going to do just that then suddenly he shouldn't be getting the chance to fight the best anyway as he hasn't earned it. None of the contenders at 140 are any more proven than Hatton in terms of the guys they've beaten at the weight.

This is a report from today:

Tszyu: You can leave your Hatton
By GRANTLEE KIEZA

BRITISH fight promoter Frank Warren announced yesterday that Ricky Hatton would challenge Kostya Tszyu for the IBF junior-welterweight title on March 5 at Manchester's MEN Arena.

This was news to Tszyu.

Hatton is the most popular boxer in England but it seems the reports of his imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated.
"I think Frank Warren is getting way ahead of himself," said Tszyu's manager Matt Watt. "We have not signed any deal to fight Ricky Hatton and he is just one of a number of opponents we are looking at for Kostya's next fight.
"Hatton is the No. 1 contender for Kostya's title and Kostya has to defend against him within nine months but a lot can happen in that time."
Warren told British reporters yesterday that he had pulled off a major coup by persuading Tszyu to forget about proposed bouts with Americans Arturo Gatti and Cory Spinks and face Hatton instead.
"I believe I am close to an announcement – this fight is definitely on," Warren said.
"Tszyu said he wanted a big fight, and they don't come any bigger than facing Ricky in his own backyard in front of a 22,000 crowd."
Hatton, 26, is unbeaten in 37 fights but would likely be squashed like a grape against a rejuvenated Tszyu, who is in fine vintage at 35.
The Englishman will face American Ray Oliveira in London on Sunday week and talk of a world title fight will no doubt help ticket sales.
Trainer Johnny Lewis would prefer Tszyu to first face Cory Spinks, the world welterweight champion, because it represents a chance for Tszyu to become champion of all three major boxing bodies at once and prove that he could rise in weight class as well.
If Tszyu vacated the IBF title Hatton would face Tszyu's former sparring partner, Lovemore Ndou, for the crown.

Being ranked #1 in the IBF and WBO isn't enough? 37-0 isn't enough? Tszyu doesn't stand a chance!!
pah you make me laugh it is ricky that does not stand a chance (though i have been wrong the past few weeks :eek: )
how much do you need for super status?

This is Ricky's chance to shine. I wish he would take Mitchell on first but he has his chance now, he always steps up to the plate and fights his fight. This is something the sport needs, it could be the start of a new trilogy..... I pick Kostya to win by KO, but I do wish Ricky the best of luck. In this sport, anything can happen!

Your all harsh on Ricky, "He doesn't deserve a shot" - If anyone does, it's Ricky after all the **** Warren has put Ricky through. Give the kid a chance, some credit even - it's obvious he wants this real bad. And if he does fight Kostya, i bet he'll give a better fight than Zudah (lasted 2 rounds) and Mitchell (Battered in 3)

Come on guys, as biased as you Americans are to the Brits, you've gotta say Ricky would put up a show for as long as it lasts!

I believe he can put on a great show because he likes to bang and I have yet to see him in a boring fight. As a American, I love to watch a fighter that gives the boxing fans and the public excitement in the ring, which he does. With that being said, this is the wrong guy to trade shots with especially knowing Tszyu has middleweight punching power. Trading shots with Tszyu can make for a short night. Hatton has to box and pick and choose his spots to frustrate Tszyu. It will be very interesting to see how well Hatton takes Tszyu's first power shot.

Only problem, is that if Hatton wins, he'll never leave the MEN arena for the rest of his career.

I hope that's the case because I consider the MEN the most electic arena to see a fight. I've been to MSG and Staples for fights and they don't even compare to the energy you get at the MEN. Let's pray Hatton wins!

Isn't it Warren that keeps him fighting there? I think if it were 100% up to Hatton, he would have fought Mitchell and Kostya by now. You cant question the kid's courage and heart.

Hatton needs to get out of his den . . . or he won't get the accorded respect that a champion deserves.

If Tyzsu goes up in weight a HATTON/Ndou fight will also be a good one. But I believe Hatton will easily make it over Ndou.