Tweet
Rock Allen: Helping Hatton
Rock Allen and Karl Dargan may not be familiar names to fight fans, but the pair could well be crucial to Ricky Hatton's hopes of beating Floyd Mayweather.
For any fighter preparation is the key to success - the right blend of boxing work coupled with strength and conditioning training can be the difference when it comes down to whether you walk out of the ring with a title or not.
Sparring is also crucial, the time in the ring giving a fighter the chance to get valuable rounds under his belt and also focus on areas where he can pose a problem to his next opponent.
For that reason people like Allen and Dargan are vital members of Team Hatton in the build-up to such a big bout.
Hand-picked
The American duo - barely unknown outside their own homes - have been hand-picked to give the Mancunian an idea of what problems the Pretty Boy may pose, both in attack and defence.
"We know that Floyd will have to make adjustments to fight Ricky," explained Robert Diaz of Golden Boy promotions, who had travelled with the fighters.
"He'll probably come in and try to think he's the bigger guy so he'll fight on the inside, which is why we have Rock.
"When he realises he cannot match strength with Ricky, he'll turn to the outside - which is Karl.
"And when he tries to catch his breath and pick his punches in spurts, we have Saeed (Harak - the third sparring partner). With the combination of all three you have a Floyd Mayweather."
While for Hatton it is all about Mayweather next month, the chance to get in the ring with an undefeated world champion is invaluable experience for the two Americans.
Both are thought of as promising projects for the well-established Golden Boy promotions.
Philadelphia-born Allen is 11-0 at the start of his pro career, while Dargan - who struck gold at the PanAM games this year - is about to make his debut on Saturday night in Atlantic City.
"I'm blessed that God gave me the opportunity to come and work with the best," said Allen, who was on the United States team for the 2004 Olympics.
"It's like taking a jump from where I am at to where he (Hatton) is at."
Dargan was in agreement with his compatriot, adding: "It's been a pleasure to come here, work with Ricky and get ready for my professional debut."
Undefeated
So what about 'Undefeated' - what are Hatton's chances of humbling pound-for-pound king Mayweather?
Having experienced what 'The Hitman' can do from extremely close quarters, the two fighters are ideally placed to give their verdicts.
"I know Floyd hasn't fought anyone as determined as Ricky," Dargan said. "Floyd has a lot of skill, but it's going to take more than that to beat Ricky.
On Hatton's style, he added: "He's very much faster than you think he is. Now I see why he is the best at his weight. A lot of people think he's just a come-forward fighter but he's a very intelligent fighter."
Allen acknowledged that the speed of the Brit had also taken him by surprise - perhaps a good sign that Floyd could be caught off guard come fight night.
"He's very quick and very strong, and also explosive," the 26-year-old said. "He does it all. He has great range and he's very explosive.
"He has what they call staying power - while most fighters are strong at the start of the fight he gets stronger as it goes on."
Rock Allen and Karl Dargan may not be familiar names to fight fans, but the pair could well be crucial to Ricky Hatton's hopes of beating Floyd Mayweather.
For any fighter preparation is the key to success - the right blend of boxing work coupled with strength and conditioning training can be the difference when it comes down to whether you walk out of the ring with a title or not.
Sparring is also crucial, the time in the ring giving a fighter the chance to get valuable rounds under his belt and also focus on areas where he can pose a problem to his next opponent.
For that reason people like Allen and Dargan are vital members of Team Hatton in the build-up to such a big bout.
Hand-picked
The American duo - barely unknown outside their own homes - have been hand-picked to give the Mancunian an idea of what problems the Pretty Boy may pose, both in attack and defence.
"We know that Floyd will have to make adjustments to fight Ricky," explained Robert Diaz of Golden Boy promotions, who had travelled with the fighters.
"He'll probably come in and try to think he's the bigger guy so he'll fight on the inside, which is why we have Rock.
"When he realises he cannot match strength with Ricky, he'll turn to the outside - which is Karl.
"And when he tries to catch his breath and pick his punches in spurts, we have Saeed (Harak - the third sparring partner). With the combination of all three you have a Floyd Mayweather."
While for Hatton it is all about Mayweather next month, the chance to get in the ring with an undefeated world champion is invaluable experience for the two Americans.
Both are thought of as promising projects for the well-established Golden Boy promotions.
Philadelphia-born Allen is 11-0 at the start of his pro career, while Dargan - who struck gold at the PanAM games this year - is about to make his debut on Saturday night in Atlantic City.
"I'm blessed that God gave me the opportunity to come and work with the best," said Allen, who was on the United States team for the 2004 Olympics.
"It's like taking a jump from where I am at to where he (Hatton) is at."
Dargan was in agreement with his compatriot, adding: "It's been a pleasure to come here, work with Ricky and get ready for my professional debut."
Undefeated
So what about 'Undefeated' - what are Hatton's chances of humbling pound-for-pound king Mayweather?
Having experienced what 'The Hitman' can do from extremely close quarters, the two fighters are ideally placed to give their verdicts.
"I know Floyd hasn't fought anyone as determined as Ricky," Dargan said. "Floyd has a lot of skill, but it's going to take more than that to beat Ricky.
On Hatton's style, he added: "He's very much faster than you think he is. Now I see why he is the best at his weight. A lot of people think he's just a come-forward fighter but he's a very intelligent fighter."
Allen acknowledged that the speed of the Brit had also taken him by surprise - perhaps a good sign that Floyd could be caught off guard come fight night.
"He's very quick and very strong, and also explosive," the 26-year-old said. "He does it all. He has great range and he's very explosive.
"He has what they call staying power - while most fighters are strong at the start of the fight he gets stronger as it goes on."
Comment