HATTON TRAINER DISMISSES TSZYU REMATCH
Sportinglife, UK
Ricky Hatton's trainer Billy Graham has dismissed the prospect of a rematch against Kostya Tszyu.
Hatton defeated the former world light-welterweight champion to claim his IBF title over 11 brutal rounds in Manchester in June.
And the Australian stated recently that if he decides to fight on he would seek a second big-money meeting with the new champion.
But Graham said any rematch chances are slight, with Hatton's team preferring to project him towards future super-fights against the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto.
Graham told PA Sport: "As far as I am concerned a rematch is pointless because Ricky has stopped Kostya and we would be going over old ground.
"I am looking at the bigger picture and now it is all about building Ricky's career and his name.
"Mayweather is the biggest fight out there in boxing right now, it is the fight both Ricky and I want and that is the one we want to build up to."
Hatton does not yet have a date or venue for the first defence of his IBF title but he is expected to return in Manchester before the end of the year.
Meanwhile Hatton is set to accept a role as one of the Amateur Boxing Association's new part-time consultants.
Hatton and triple Olympic gold medallist Mario Kindelan are among those who have been approached to assist the amateur body with regional coaching schemes over the next two years.
Richie Woodhall, who resigned yesterday as the ABA's high performance manager, has also agreed to assume a consultancy role.
# Matthew Macklin impressed on his American debut last night with a third round stoppage win over Leo Laudat in Atlantic City.
The Birmingham-based Irishman stopped Laudat on his feet to improve his professional record to 14-1 and is now targeting a shot at British champion Jamie Moore.
Macklin said: "I am a great friend of Jamie's but that is a fight I want and I believe I will beat him.
"I felt the need to go to America to re-establish myself and now it is all about making progress and seeking out that British title fight."
Sniff, Sniff....I smell pussy.
why should Hatton pass up Tszyu? The fight was not even a blowout, I had Tszyu and Hatton pretty much tied up until the 11th and the fight was awesome!! If you thought it was a blowout, then you guys are not much of boxing fans to judge an outcome. Tzsyu gave have him a shot and it would be respectful to give the person who gave you a title shot..another chance unless he...afraid maybe? Im not being biased but it makes sense for a rematch..Hatton's on my "scared" list..a long w/ Marco..pussies!!!! :mad:
If i were Hatton i wouldnt give Tszyu a rematch straight away, Hatton's a young fighter and he cant wait of Tszyu to decide if he's going to retire, then wait for a deal to be made and then wait 4 months for Tszyu's normal training camp. It would be late 2006 before they got in the ring.
Let Hatton fight Mayweather or Cotto first(or even both), then if Tszyu still wants it make the fight.
Good for them. I wouldn't give Tszyu a rematch either. If you win by knockout, it's very defining that you're the better fighter. If you make them QUIT ON THEIR STOOL, you should laugh at the possibility of a rematch.
Sort of the way evrybody laughs at the thought of you ever making a worth while comment in your moronic posts, DOUCHEBAG!
Good for them. I wouldn't give Tszyu a rematch either. If you win by knockout, it's very defining that you're the better fighter. If you make them QUIT ON THEIR STOOL, you should laugh at the possibility of a rematch.
PBF would destroy Hatton personally I think His trainers should look for a rematch with Tszyu. Getting to the top is easy staying there is the hard part in Hatton's case
He needs to move on from tszyu now. He will only kick the granny out of him in a rematch so there is little point from hatton perspective.
Obviously its a win win for Tszyu if he gets it. I really wanna see Hatton VS Mayweather or Hatton VS Cotto next. Not same old Tszyu, unless they have to cos its in the contract of course.
This is exactly why people aren't jumping on the Hatton bandwagon. He's been handled horribly. Kostya dominated that division for years, and now Hatton's people think he's on a whole different level? Please, put up and fight. It's not like Hatton dominated, and he didn't really "stop" Kostya.
Come fight him in the states Ricky. You can't hide in Manchester forever.
If Hatton's people really think a Tszyu rematch is unlikely these guys gotta wake up, they are so dissin' Ricky. Clause or no clause, if Ricky is gonna fight at 140lbs and reign as a champion, a rematch is inevitable. Why would these clowns make such an ignorant statement? Probably because they wanna sign a defense or two against a payday like Floyd, or because they want Floyd. There is no other answer. Cotto is not a payday fight for Hatton like Floyd or the rematch, so its gotta be the money. I hope Hatton just stops listening and trains, because for fighters, fights are won in the gym and in the ring.
I think there should be Tszyu vs Gatti and Mayweather vs Hatton superfight. Well some people already said that Gatti doesn't stand a chance so might as well put Cotto in his place but I don't think Tszyu would take that fight.