Will the referee allow Hatton to hold and hit against Mayweather?

[Ja Dee]

That's a good point re: the style "benefits" of Floyd vis-a-vis Collazo BUT Floyd's speed will likely tie Hatton in knots. Floyd should be concerned with the physical strength issue...although speed usually kills strength/power most of the time. And Hatton does not have the "eraser" aka knock you dead punching power to trouble Mayweather enough, in my opinion. Should be a surprisingly decent scrap...because I feel that Floyd may take more chances than usual.

[Chicago]

No, the ref will not Hatton get away with holding against PBF. When Hatton gets to holding, PBF will shove his elbow down Ricky's throat and both will be warned, which means after so many holds by Hatton, the ref will continue to warn him and then start deducting points.

[big_james10]

For once in my life, he would be my referee of choice for this fight. I usually like Richard Steele, but this is a fight made for Jay Nady.

Jay Nady refereed the Roy Jones/John Ruiz fight. Ruiz complained after the fight that the feferee wouldn't let him fight his fight. His style is to hit his opponent and then hold before his opponent can counter. Nady wouldn't allow that and since Ruiz had no plan B, Jones took Ruiz to school for 12 rounds. If Hatton doesn't have a plan B and I doubt he does, this will be a short, easy night for Mayweather.

[aljon]

Whether you like or dislike Hatton, you have to admit that he holds and hits (which is illegal in boxing) nonstop and is rarely warned for it. Against the #1 rated boxer in the world, will the referee(whoever they may be) allow Hatton to cheat like he has in his last handful of fights?

Hatton has won 43 fights that way and it hasn't been a threatening factor in any of them. I'm am absolutely sure he will get away with it no question's asked. Calzaghe did it too,(against Lacy, Eubank and many others) Pavlik does it as well, refs simply don't care much about holding and hitting as long it doesn't involve any head buts or elbows that can cause cuts or whatever.
This is a world championship fight, ref won't pay attention to every detail or else the crowd will boo him and no ref wants that. Just let them fight, stop this ref ****...

[MetalVomit]

This is a world championship fight, ref won't pay attention to every detail or else the crowd will boo him and no ref wants that. Just let them fight, stop this ref ****...

The ref should pay attention to Hatton holding and hitting. It's not a small detail, it's cheating.

[MetalVomit]

Damn, close poll. I think it's almost a certainty that if Hatton is not allowed to hold and hit, he gets butchered almost as bad as Gatti.

[blacksky]

clinching is a part of boxing.

[Johnny Rebel]

Joe Cortez allowed Hatton to fight his fight against Castillo and he should allow Ricky to to do the same against Floyd. Hopefully Floyd doesn't try to run like Sweat Pea all night.

Hatton works out of the clinch which is perfectly legal. Deal with it!

[beauty]

Joe Cortez allowed Hatton to fight his fight against Castillo and he should allow Ricky to to do the same against Floyd. Hopefully Floyd doesn't try to run like Sweat Pea all night.

Hatton works out of the clinch which is perfectly legal. Deal with it!

Cortez also allowed Mayweather to fight his fight against Castillo. When Castillo was in his prime.

[thenewshmoo_1]

clinching shoul dbe allowed as long as u dont do it ALL THE TIME..

leniox lewis used to clinch agaisnt tyson, if he could 'n`t clinch you he couldn`t win the figt as tyson wanna work on the inside all the time, if lewsi is backed yup whats he gionna do?