Tszyu Targets Hatton...

TSZYU TARGETS HATTON SportingLife UK, Oct 28, 2004 World light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu is willing to fight Ricky Hatton - if the American public want it to happen. Tszyu, a Russian-born Australian citizen, takes on Sharmba Mitchell next month with his IBF belt on the line. And as Hatton continues his battle to secure a shot at a genuine world champion, 35-year-old Tszyu admitted he would take on the 'Hitman' but much would depend on whether American TV station Showtime wanted to stage the contest. "Ricky Hatton is a good fighter, a very exciting fighter, with big popularity in his homeland," Tszyu told www.thesweetscience.com. "I will look at it this way - what people want, what people demand, that is what will make it. If Showtime is going to be happy - because they have to play a big role in this - then we will make the fights happen. "He is a young fighter with tremendous pressure. I am not looking past one fight at a time. If it is going to happen, and he is going to be the number one contender for my IBF title, then we will see. If everything goes well, then we will fight and we will see." Hatton has made no secret of his desire to take on a 'big name' and is confident that when the opportunity arises, he will grasp it with both hands. But Tszyu, who faces Mitchell on November 6 in the States - his first fight since beating James Leija in January 2003 - is not bothered by Hatton's self-confidence. "I am sure Ricky wants to fight, but it is not his problem. His promoter (Frank Warren) has done a good job for him to try to get the money for himself because he is always packing the stadium in Manchester without fighting anybody (reputable)." Hatton, meanwhile, is back in action before the end of the year when he makes the 15th defence of his WBU title against Ray Oliveira on December 11, at the Excel Arena in London. The Briton knocked out the durable Mike Stewart in the fifth round at the MEN Arena earlier this month and providing there are no slip-ups, will hope to face the winner of Tszyu-Mitchell. That would be nice. I think Mitchell is going to be on the downside of this fight...or atleast I hope so. Gooooooo Kostya!!

Comments (9)

The Manchester Hitman would wear Tszyu down with body shots and knock him later in the fight. Poor old Tsyzu don't stand a chance against King Richard!!

21y ago

tntkid

Warren ain't about to put his cash cow in the same HEMISPHERE as Tszyu. That's exactly what I was thinking. If the fight somehow does happen though I can't see Hatton beating Tszyu anyway.

21y ago

LuKahnLi

Warren ain't about to put his cash cow in the same HEMISPHERE as Tszyu. Tszyu would BUTCHER this poor kid.

21y ago

Boxerdog

Over Frank Warren's dead body! (not a bad idea)

21y ago

whdempsey

I like it. It would be an entertaining matchup, I'm sure, and the outcome is probably more in doubt than we would initially think. I mean, mebbe Hatton is only a 5 to 1 longshot instead of 10 to 1. Whether it's a necessary fight is questionable. Tzyu does not need to beat Hatton in order for people to remember him as today's dominant super lightweight. In other words, it doesn't make much business sense. So, although I like the Hatton fight, it may be better for Tzyu to come up to 147 and take out Spinks.

21y ago

whdempsey

having erased mitchell, and tszyu being a modest 35, he should concentrate on the big fights, thus he should fight de la hoya, make a lot of money, and knock him out...... Not gonna happen.

21y ago

moochi

having erased mitchell, and tszyu being a modest 35, he should concentrate on the big fights, thus he should fight de la hoya, make a lot of money, and knock him out......

21y ago

elveiel

"I will look at it this way - what people want, what people demand, that is what will make it. If Showtime is going to be happy - because they have to play a big role in this - then we will make the fights happen. In other words, if showtime show me the money i'll take it!! Ha ha!! Cant balme the man, Tszyu's a class act how deserves the big money.

21y ago

Mikie

The American public would love to see it happen because I believe all American boxing fans would like to see if all the hype is legit. If this does happen, the big question will be as much pressure hatton puts on fighters, he will need to be very careful not to take to much punishment from a guy with middleweight punching power. One Tszyu straight right hand will close the curtain and end the show!

21y ago