By Mark Vester
According to former undisputed cruiserweight champion David Haye - Ricky Hatton vs. Amir Khan is a natural fight to be made and the two boxers should put their friendship aside and get in the ring to prove which of them is the better fighter. He says Hatton should go after the Khan fight next.
"If I was in Ricky Hatton's shoes the fight I would most probably go for is Amir Khan. That is a natural fight. Fingers crossed that Khan beats Andreas Kotelnik [the WBA light-welterweight champion] the week after my fight," Haye told The Guardian.
"Yes, sure, Khan looks up to Hatton, but I still think it is a fight that should happen. I idolise [Evander] Holyfield, but if he was in his peak that is the guy I would be gunning after. If you want to fight the best do it even if they are a mate. It is like having a pal who is a great footballer you would still want to beat him. It is not personal. You could play someone in ping pong it isn't personal, but you still try your hardest to beat them."
"The only difference in boxing is the consequences of beating them, but that is something you deal with after the fight. I'm sure they are really good pals, but it is a great fight for both of them. Sportsmen want to prove that they are the best - people forget that boxing is a sport."
As far as who wins, Haye says there are a lot of factors that have be examined. He sees Hatton's experience vs. the youth of Khan, but also says Hatton took a lot more punishment than Khan.
"Who wins? It all depends on how Khan does against Kotelnik. After that fight I will be able to get a better judgement. Ricky has had twice as many fights and experience, but has had twice as much damage done. He had a lot more gruelling fights," Haye said.
"Khan is pretty much brand new. The one loss he had, he didn't take any punishment continually. He didn't take the kind of punishment Hatton had against Mayweather or even the fight he had against Kostya Tszyu. They are the fights that slow you up and put miles on the clock. Khan hasn't got miles on the clock and is fresh in boxing terms while Hatton isn't. Hatton is a wily old pro. Been there, done it and the only people to beat him are two of the best fighters of our generation."
"He has been there and done it. He struggled, has been knocked down and come back. Fingers crossed that fight can happen, but I'm not sure what relationship Hatton has with Warren."
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
