By Mark Vester
IBF junior welterweight champ Paul Malignaggi is not worried about Ricky Hatton's recent hiring of trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. He says the Manchester fighter is very limited and was never much of a boxer. Malignaggi plans to expose Hatton's shortcomings when the the two collide on November 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"Hatton is a limited fighter. He can't box. I'm not going to criticize him personally, because I really like Ricky. I just don't think he's much of a fighter, or was ever much of a fighter," Malignaggi told Sky. "I'm not just talking out of my ass here, he's the John Ruiz of the junior welterweight class."
He says that Hatton's tactic in every contest is to hold onto his opponent for long periods of time. He saw Hatton trying to use this tactic over and over during his knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last December in Las Vegas.
"Billy Graham (Hatton's then trainer) tells Ricky in the corner that if he's not doing anything against Mayweather to make sure Mayweather isn't doing anything," Malignaggi said. "Basically, Graham was giving Hatton instructions to hold. Believe me, I'll be ready for anything Ricky Hatton has to offer."
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