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Certain Mayweatherites asked me if I would give Floyd the credit he deserves if he beat Ricky Hatton. I said I would do so and I would do so objectively. Here it comes.
From the first bell, referee Joe Cortez was on Hatton like a rash. But, in spite of the fact that Cortez tried his best to discourage Ricky Hatton's inside attack, the fight remained competitive and close right until the end. It wasn't until about round 6 that Cortez realized that Floyd was "holding" his own so he backed off and let the fight go. All throughout, Floyd consistently applied an assortment of holding, elbows, and forearms that never so much as drew a raised eyebrow from Joe Cortez. But, the first chance Cortez got to penalize Hatton he seized with glee; a disputed shot to the back of the head when Floyd turned his back. The shot barely hit Floyd who then proceeded to put on that he had been hurt. It was a flop and Cortez ate it up. Cortez changed in this fight. His performance was totally different from his handling of the Hatton-Castillo fight. Totally. It was oh so obvious that Cortez was galvanized by his chance to save American boxing from the Brits. Joe Cortez should never be allowed to ref another major fight after that shameful performance. It was worse than anything I've ever seen the much despised Jay Nady do.
But, the fix doesn't end with the ref. Floyd's knockout of Hatton in the 10th at least ended the fight on a fair basis because the judges were clearly in the tank too. The judges had Hatton winning one round at the time of the stoppage. In spite of Cortez' tampering, I had it 5 rounds for Floyd, 3 rounds for Hatton, and one even (the controversial back of the head penalty round 6 which should have been Hatton's round). It is clear that Hatton had to win the fight by KO to win at all. NO WONDER Calzaghe won't fight in America.
Did this fight enhance Floyd's prestige to "all time great" status? I'm afraid not. Defeating the undersized Ricky Hatton with the help of the ref will not compensate for his continued failure to fight true competition. Not surprisingly Mayweather announced that he is retiring to be a promoter now. With the Champion Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Vernon Forrest, Mosely, and Margarito out there, Floyd has announced his intention to withdraw from the game. It is a timely resignation because Floyd knows he has nowhere to go now but against THOSE boxers who represent the best in the welterweight division. Emmanuel Steward said Floyd wouldn't make those fights because they involve too much risk. Steward hit the nail right on the head. Instead, Floyd will retire undefeated and make his claim as the "greatest fighter of all time."
Exactly as I predicted.
From the first bell, referee Joe Cortez was on Hatton like a rash. But, in spite of the fact that Cortez tried his best to discourage Ricky Hatton's inside attack, the fight remained competitive and close right until the end. It wasn't until about round 6 that Cortez realized that Floyd was "holding" his own so he backed off and let the fight go. All throughout, Floyd consistently applied an assortment of holding, elbows, and forearms that never so much as drew a raised eyebrow from Joe Cortez. But, the first chance Cortez got to penalize Hatton he seized with glee; a disputed shot to the back of the head when Floyd turned his back. The shot barely hit Floyd who then proceeded to put on that he had been hurt. It was a flop and Cortez ate it up. Cortez changed in this fight. His performance was totally different from his handling of the Hatton-Castillo fight. Totally. It was oh so obvious that Cortez was galvanized by his chance to save American boxing from the Brits. Joe Cortez should never be allowed to ref another major fight after that shameful performance. It was worse than anything I've ever seen the much despised Jay Nady do.
But, the fix doesn't end with the ref. Floyd's knockout of Hatton in the 10th at least ended the fight on a fair basis because the judges were clearly in the tank too. The judges had Hatton winning one round at the time of the stoppage. In spite of Cortez' tampering, I had it 5 rounds for Floyd, 3 rounds for Hatton, and one even (the controversial back of the head penalty round 6 which should have been Hatton's round). It is clear that Hatton had to win the fight by KO to win at all. NO WONDER Calzaghe won't fight in America.
Did this fight enhance Floyd's prestige to "all time great" status? I'm afraid not. Defeating the undersized Ricky Hatton with the help of the ref will not compensate for his continued failure to fight true competition. Not surprisingly Mayweather announced that he is retiring to be a promoter now. With the Champion Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Vernon Forrest, Mosely, and Margarito out there, Floyd has announced his intention to withdraw from the game. It is a timely resignation because Floyd knows he has nowhere to go now but against THOSE boxers who represent the best in the welterweight division. Emmanuel Steward said Floyd wouldn't make those fights because they involve too much risk. Steward hit the nail right on the head. Instead, Floyd will retire undefeated and make his claim as the "greatest fighter of all time."
Exactly as I predicted.
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