By Glenn Wilson
There was a time when late November signaled the end of hurricane season, when the Atlantic waters would calmly settle and forecasters would put away their tracking charts. However with 2006 just under way, we can hear the sound of a storm roaring across the Atlantic. It may not be as big as a late summer hurricane, but it sure wants to be.
Ricky Hatton is gearing up to hit America's shores by late spring. No longer content to just sell out the MEN arena in Manchester, Hatton believes now is the time to secure his place in boxing history.
The last three years saw Hatton defend his alphabet trinket in front of sold out crowds in England. His promoter, Frank Warren, tried to convince the top junior welterweights to cross the pond for a chance at big paydays, only to be rejected time and again.
The only ones who accepted the challenge were fringe contenders and also rans. Hatton usually paid these fighters with vicious beatings. His debilitating body attack and three minutes of hell rounds more than made up for the lack of a name opponent.
However, no one in the top ten was overly anxious to fight in England. Most fighters believed that they could beat Hatton, but weren't willing to risk losing a bad decision in Ricky's backyard.
Team Hatton got the break they were looking for early in 2005. Kostya Tszyu, unable to secure a superfight, agreed to defend his title in England. Most experts saw this as the second coming of Arguello-Mancini. Hatton's youth and agressiveness would make it an interesting fight until Tszyu's experience and power could catch up to Hatton. Tszyu would go on to get his superfight with Judah or De La Hoya and Hatton would be praised for his galant effort in defeat. Hatton must have forgotten to read the script.
Hatton went on to shock the boxing world when he completely manhandled Tszyu. But, Ricky Hatton wanted more than just the junior welterweight crown, just as important to Hatton is the legacy he will leave behind when he retires. He speaks fondly of Roberto Duran and Marco Antonio Barrera, of all they have accomplished and how the American fight fana admired them.
He took a big step towards his goal when he severed ties with Frank Warren. Warren made Ricky alot of money but was reluctant to let his biggest star fight in America. This was even more worrisome to Hatton when the top tier boxers refused to go to England.
The latest news is that Hatton will fight May 7 on HBO. This is another giant step because Hatton had only been showcased on Showtime. HBO subscribers outnumber Showtime subscribers by a decent margin of homes. This will get Ricky's name out in the public consciousness a little easier than in the past.
Now that Hatton controls his own destiny, he is talking about fights with Gatti, Castillo and Mayweather, two future hall of famers and one possible hall of famer. Most believe that a Gatti fight is unnecessary and wonder why his name is on Hatton's wish list. It is because Arturo has what Hatton needs, a recognizable name. To be a name fighter in America you need to have that big name fight under your belt.
So brace yourself America. If you feel the wind blowing across the ocean a little stronger than usual this year it could be a nor'easter brewing, but more than likely it's just Ricky Hatton getting ready to deliver his 3 minutes of hell onto America's shore.