Ricky Hatton: Collazo is a horrible fight for Khan

Manchester boxing legend Ricky Hatton claims Amir Khan has picked a ‘horrible fight’ against one of his former opponents, Luis Collazo. Bolton boxer Khan will make his welterweight debut on the undercard for Floyd Mayweather's bout against Marcos Maidana at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas on May 3. Khan was hoping to the pound-for-pound superstar himself, but will instead fight the hard-hitting New Yorker Collazo, with the winner possibly set to face Mayweather in September. Hatton believes Khan has the tools to win, but has warned the boxer that he needs to do just that, box, and not get drawn into a war. “I just think it's a horrible fight for Amir. There are easier fights he could have had, but that's why we love him," Hatton said. "My advice to Amir is, if his team think he will go to war like he has done in the past, it's going to be a very, very tough night for him. “He's going to have to be disciplined. If he uses his speed and boxing ability I think he will win. "But if he goes to war, which is what he tends to do, he's got a big heart and he likes to get stuck in, he could come a cropper.” Hatton also claimed he sees no reason why Khan would be denied a shot at Mayweather if he defeats Collazo. “He would have proven he deserves the shot then. "100 per cent I give Amir credit for taking the fight. Collazo's a southpaw, he's big, he's fast, he's just beaten Victor Ortiz in two rounds – a great win – and I'm a bit shell-shocked. “I'm sure there are other welterweights he could have gone in with who are world class but not big punchers. Khan (28-3, 19 KO) is moving up to 147 pounds for the first time, and hopes that winning the fight will finally get him the big money bout against the unbeaten Mayweather (45-0, 26 KO). The Olympic silver medallist has not fought since an unconvincing point’s victory over Julio Diaz in Sheffield last April. The 27-year-old must now continue to wait for the chance to face Mayweather, but in the meantime is eager getting back between the ropes against notoriously awkward Collazo. Hatton gave a few tips to his fellow countryman on how to beat Collozo, as the ‘Hitman’ was able to beat the American in a bruising encounter in Boston in 2006. "When I fought Luis Collazo, back when I was young and fresh, my chin was as solid as a rock," Hatton said. "Only a few fights before I'd fought Kostya Tzsyu and I'd walked through everything he threw at me. I was always a very physically strong light-welterweight and I had a good chin." Hatton, known for his brutal body power shots, says he immediately noticed the difference when he moved up the weight divisions, and thinks this could be a huge factor if Khan gets drawn into a brawl. "Collazo's an all-rounder. As a light-welterweight, I was able to throw people around a little bit at 10 stone – even Kostya Tszyu at the time,” Hatton said. “But when I went up seven pounds, the first time I went in with Collazo at close quarters and I just tried to nudge him, he didn't move.” “And I thought, 'Jeez,' this is different. You'd like to think Amir will beat him if he sticks to his boxing, but if he goes to war it would be the worst thing he could do." http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/010468398-%E2%80%98its-horrible-fight%E2%80%99-ricky-hatton-says-amir-khan-could-%E2%80%98come-cropper%E2%80%99-upcoming

Comments (20)

Which doesnt change the fact Khan was cheated out of a win. Put it what ever you like. No Khan was cheated,cheated into a loss I can see but not out of a win. Any situation where one boxer is found to have taken PEDs or used loaded gloves should be made a no contest and offender punished. I don't see where you get the cheated out of a win bit from,cheated and the bout declared nul and void as far as the record is concerned.

12y ago

BoxOffice

No you seem to have problems with comprehension. It is very clear that I separated the judging from the PED issues. Which doesnt change the fact Khan was cheated out of a win. Put it what ever you like.

12y ago

BoxOffice

12y ago

krazyn8tive

John Molina over Lucas matthysse. Am I in the right thread?

12y ago

LA_2_Vegas

Surprising comments to be honest, but I can see how he's looking at it. on the one hand, Collazo is a bad opponent if he is still having issues in the trainer transition. but so was Diaz imo. Two smart fighters on the other...IF IF IF, things do click in this fight, then Collazo could turn out to be a good opponent because in order to win he is a) going to have to think, b) remain cognizant of his flaws, and c) show something new. And all of it will have to appear to be done as if it's 2nd nature. This could be the fight that it happens. The whole change could have just been a promotional trick to blow smoke, but it could have been an honest attempt to regroup and start over. Ignore his mouth and sidestepping Devon, not getting Floyd, etc. It's turned out now that we will get a couple of small scale fight and step ups against ring iq guys. I think there is still some room for optimism. ---and I can't bring myself to overrate the win for Luis over Ortiz, a good win but I'm not sure how active he can appear to be against someone like Khan. (Amir will have to be extremely responsible going into and out of the clinch however.)

12y ago

FrankieBruno

I think people need to give Hunter the benefit of the doubt, and wait to see which Khan comes to fight If he demolished Collazo then Hunter is vindicated However if he loses and loses by getting dominated then Hunters tatics of slowing Khans offence down clearly has not worked. Ive seen a few vids of Khan and he looks far FARRRRRR less explosive, his hands are fast, but his punch selection and overly relying on the jab to me isnt a good sign Khan is a explosive boxer, taming his best asset is very dangerous to him, as it leaves him open to even more attacks. When Khan gets hit, like we've see with other boxers who change trainers so late in their careers, will most likely revert to his old ways, but at the same time trying to do what Hunter told him, thus creating a confusion in his own mind, a confusion of doubt, similar to what happened to Hatton when he changed trainers. This is all guess work though, however if Khan loses, he needs to humble himself and go back to the man that knows his style in and out, and thats Roach, and then fight Brook and build from that

12y ago

Isaac_Hunt

Really? I see you claim to be a balanced person, but you seem to undermine cheating in a sport where athletes put their lives on the line? No you seem to have problems with comprehension. It is very clear that I separated the judging from the PED issues.

12y ago

BoxOffice

Right now I don't have a favorite fighter. But I tend to be balanced and fair when watching fights and not delude myself. I was a Hagler fan and sensed the scoring would go against him in the Leanard fight. I did not feel Hagler won but felt a draw would have been a fair score but could see why he lost. The margins were a lot tighter in that fight than Peterson Khan. My gripe with the fight was the timing it should have been several years earlier then Hagler would have won. I watched the Peterson fight live and before the scores were anounced thought Peterson won it but that the judges would give it to Khan as he was champion but a draw would not be unreasonable as the chalenger realistically has to do slightly more than a draw to get a draw and IMO Peterson did more but also dictated the terms of the fight. That is where he won IMO . I felt the result was fair and had the same fight been fought in the UK the judging would have gone the other way. I did not feel the judging was out in that fight like I did in Bradley Manny Pacquiao. That clearly was wrong. I felt the so called judging scandal was a joke,the PED thing is another matter but either way Khan's performance was pretty poor in that fight. Really? I see you claim to be a balanced person, but you seem to undermine cheating in a sport where athletes put their lives on the line?

12y ago

Jim_Tom

Hatton knows he got a Christmas present against Collazo, he didnt really win. As for Khan I do not see how he will see the 12th round. Collazo's greatly underrated but he's crafty and will win.

12y ago

Isaac_Hunt

I think anyone with half a brain can clearly notice that Khan has severely gone worse since joining Hunter and that's due to Hunters style. Hunter can't teach someone like Khan heck he can't teach anyone a style unless they're with him from day one. I does look that way. It is a tall order trying to teach an old dog new tricks .I am not sure there is anyone who could help him change at this stage, I suspect he would have been happier and had more luck staying with Roach. Roach is a great match maker I am certain he would have objected to Collazo and suspect he would have been busier after the Garcia loss also. It is the long lay off combined with a tricky tough opponent that is likely to show things up.

12y ago

Accountoffline

Quick reply to the moron that stated Khan fans already blaming Hunter for a fight Khan hasn't fought yet. I think anyone with half a brain can clearly notice that Khan has severely gone worse since joining Hunter and that's due to Hunters style. Hunter can't teach someone like Khan heck he can't teach anyone a style unless they're with him from day one. Khan should have never fired Roach and even after firing him should have gone to Garcia's gym where I believe there would have been some brute honest advice given to Khan by Garcia and co which may have gotten through to his thick skull

12y ago

Isaac_Hunt

Aside from the judging scandal Lamont Peterson was on PEDs . Would you have called that a loss if this was your favorite fighter? Btw Senchenko was stopped by Paulie of all people. Right now I don't have a favorite fighter. But I tend to be balanced and fair when watching fights and not delude myself. I was a Hagler fan and sensed the scoring would go against him in the Leanard fight. I did not feel Hagler won but felt a draw would have been a fair score but could see why he lost. The margins were a lot tighter in that fight than Peterson Khan. My gripe with the fight was the timing it should have been several years earlier then Hagler would have won. I watched the Peterson fight live and before the scores were anounced thought Peterson won it but that the judges would give it to Khan as he was champion but a draw would not be unreasonable as the chalenger realistically has to do slightly more than a draw to get a draw and IMO Peterson did more but also dictated the terms of the fight. That is where he won IMO . I felt the result was fair and had the same fight been fought in the UK the judging would have gone the other way. I did not feel the judging was out in that fight like I did in Bradley Manny Pacquiao. That clearly was wrong. I felt the so called judging scandal was a joke,the PED thing is another matter but either way Khan's performance was pretty poor in that fight.

12y ago

BoxOffice

Who is the Kostya Tszyu on Khan's record? Losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr,Manny Pacquiao and Vyacheslav Senchenko is not like losing to Breidis Prescott,Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia. Aside from the judging scandal Lamont Peterson was on PEDs . Would you have called that a loss if this was your favorite fighter? Btw Senchenko was stopped by Paulie of all people.

12y ago

Isaac_Hunt

Why do people think ricky is better than Khan? Khan has accomplished more and has beaten better fighters. Who is the Kostya Tszyu on Khan's record? Losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr,Manny Pacquiao and Vyacheslav Senchenko is not like losing to Breidis Prescott,Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia.

12y ago

BoxOffice

my fear is khan under hunter has slowed down his offensive attacks and is reluctant to commit to an attack. you can see him in his last 2 fights doubting himself, overthinking and panicking i hope this was just some lack of confidence which he is over now under roach khan looked so confident I think it's better as he is picking his shots. People just look too much in to the Diaz knockdown, but besides that he boxed quite well. The speed will always be there. Khan's offense will always be there along with his HEART, so defense and being smart is the key. Nonetheless, Collazo fight will show.

12y ago

elfag

collazo is going to stop khan. Its not like hes the greatest welter either but hes a big welter, experienced, has a good chin, he will crack khan's chin for sure. terrible matchmaking by khans team but atleast theyre taking a risk and not an easy fight.

12y ago

FrankieBruno

12y ago

damned1974

Good point. Actually, everytime I see Khan and Hunter together, I feel something is just not right. I am not feeling this Hunter guy at all. Khan needs a different trainer, and fast. Hunter is a good trainer, but has taken on some serious flawed fighters. The problem Hunter is doing with Khan is having him more controlled and slow down to think a bit more. Khan needs to do what he does best-flurry at range, then move...he just needs to be aware of when to throw combos...mix it up by throwing a jab, then move and occasionally mix in combos. It was only when he was in too close for too long that was a problem with him being hurt or countered.

12y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

lol y its a serious question tho, Khan has not accomplished more by any real stretch of the imagination.

12y ago

king4oranges

Behave..... lol y its a serious question tho,

12y ago