Tweet
The search for truth is a lonely enterprise on the site. And, if that truth contains anything negative about the idolized demi-god of boxing, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., then you might find yourself surrounded. They move in like a pack of ****, spinning facts, spitting propaganda, and hurling obscenities. But, at the end of the day the truth remains.
Speaking for myself, it's not Floyd that is objectionable. It's the ****.
Through the firestorm of argument and fact finding, certain truths have crystalized. These theories, having shown themselves to be invulnerable to the withering crossfire of criticism and propaganda, now stand together like the Rock of Gibralter. I'll restate them here:
1. Floyd is a defensive master, but after moving up from 130 lbs his offense is limited.
2. Floyd failed to fight the recognized champion at 140 lbs, Kostya Tszyu, and instead elected to fight a string of boxers of lesser caliber in that division.
3. Floyd's greatest win came against Oscar De La Hoya at 154 lbs by split decision. Ricky Hatton's greatest win came against Tszyu at 140 lbs by TKO.
4. Hatton's win over Tszyu was as great or even a greater accomplishment than Floyd's victory over Oscar. [During his fight with Floyd, Oscar was over the hill and he still pushed Floyd to a split decision. During his fight with Hatton, Tszyu was top ten p4p (unlike Oscar), and had just six months earlier destroyed Sharmba Mitchell in three rounds.]
5. Since his first fight with Jose Luis Castillo in 2002, Floyd has consistently shown a reluctance to go for the knock out, relying primarily on defense and outside boxing skills to outpoint opponents for a decision victory (there are a couple of exceptions, but generally speaking this is a true statement).
Now we can view Floyd in the light that he deserves and come to reasonable opinions about the upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton. Contrary to alot that has been stated, IMO Hatton's resume is just as impressive as Floyd's. Floyd has more quality competition, but Hatton defeated Tszyu. Therefore, IMO Floyd is not "in a different class" than Hatton.
IMO, it is reasonably probable that Floyd will not elect to take the fight to Hatton. After an initial confrontation, Floyd will decide to go for a decision. IMO because of the circumstances surrounding this fight and the opponents, the aggressor will be rewarded, and that aggressor will be Ricky Hatton. Therefore, unless Floyd maintains an overwhelming lead on points, it is reasonably probably that Hatton will get the decision (assuming the fight goes 12).
CONCLUSION: The fight will be close. A decision in favor of Hatton is a reasonable bet.
Speaking for myself, it's not Floyd that is objectionable. It's the ****.
Through the firestorm of argument and fact finding, certain truths have crystalized. These theories, having shown themselves to be invulnerable to the withering crossfire of criticism and propaganda, now stand together like the Rock of Gibralter. I'll restate them here:
1. Floyd is a defensive master, but after moving up from 130 lbs his offense is limited.
2. Floyd failed to fight the recognized champion at 140 lbs, Kostya Tszyu, and instead elected to fight a string of boxers of lesser caliber in that division.
3. Floyd's greatest win came against Oscar De La Hoya at 154 lbs by split decision. Ricky Hatton's greatest win came against Tszyu at 140 lbs by TKO.
4. Hatton's win over Tszyu was as great or even a greater accomplishment than Floyd's victory over Oscar. [During his fight with Floyd, Oscar was over the hill and he still pushed Floyd to a split decision. During his fight with Hatton, Tszyu was top ten p4p (unlike Oscar), and had just six months earlier destroyed Sharmba Mitchell in three rounds.]
5. Since his first fight with Jose Luis Castillo in 2002, Floyd has consistently shown a reluctance to go for the knock out, relying primarily on defense and outside boxing skills to outpoint opponents for a decision victory (there are a couple of exceptions, but generally speaking this is a true statement).
Now we can view Floyd in the light that he deserves and come to reasonable opinions about the upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton. Contrary to alot that has been stated, IMO Hatton's resume is just as impressive as Floyd's. Floyd has more quality competition, but Hatton defeated Tszyu. Therefore, IMO Floyd is not "in a different class" than Hatton.
IMO, it is reasonably probable that Floyd will not elect to take the fight to Hatton. After an initial confrontation, Floyd will decide to go for a decision. IMO because of the circumstances surrounding this fight and the opponents, the aggressor will be rewarded, and that aggressor will be Ricky Hatton. Therefore, unless Floyd maintains an overwhelming lead on points, it is reasonably probably that Hatton will get the decision (assuming the fight goes 12).
CONCLUSION: The fight will be close. A decision in favor of Hatton is a reasonable bet.