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Boxing: Hatton’s Vegas advice to Calzaghe
Apr 6 2008 Wales On Sunday
THE man they call the Hitman is predicting Joe Calzaghe will enjoy his own VV day when he makes his US debut in a fortnight’s time.
Superstar Ricky Hatton has no doubts that Calzaghe will secure Victory in Vegas when his war with Bernard Hopkins comes to a head on April 19.
And with three glittering fights of his own in boxing’s capital, the Hitman should know all about competing on boxing’s biggest stage.
Hatton said: “I think Joe is ready for this fight and it’s about time really. With everything he has done in his career, it would have been a crying shame if he didn’t go out to the States. He deserves it, too, because he is one of the best British fighters we have ever had.
“This trip is long overdue and he really deserves to go to Vegas and have his name up in lights.”
There’s no doubt that Hatton’s experience has persuaded Calzaghe to try his luck on the other side of the Atlantic.
Calzaghe himself has admitted going to Vegas for Hatton’s defeat to Mayweather was a key motivator behind his decision to fight Hopkins in the States. The Welshman was taken aback by all the hype and hysteria surrounding the bout and he was desperate to taste the limelight for himself.
And Hatton knows it. “I think if I hadn’t gone out there and made the impression that I have done, Frank Warren would have preferred to keep him in Britain where he could keep an eye on him,” said the light welterweight star.
“Floyd [Mayweather] and I took this sport to another level. And I’m sure Joe went to the weigh-in, saw the crowd and thought: ‘Wow, I want a bit of this’.”
In fact, Hatton is surprised that Calzaghe, the proud owner of a 10-year unbeaten record, hadn’t taken the big step sooner.
“Brits, in order to prove themselves, always have to go over to America,” he explained.
“They don’t come over here too often and there’s good reason for it because it’s hard travelling half way across the world with eight hours time difference.
“It’s more difficult the first time you fight over there. But it does get more comfortable over a period of time and the more times you do it.”
And he had plenty of advice for his good friend, doing all in his power to ensure it is a very good night for Calzaghe and the Welsh fans.
“I’m confident he will win and good luck to him,” said Hatton. “I can’t see Joe losing and, while it’s not a foregone conclusion by any means, with his speed, work rate and busy-ness, I can only see one winner.
“And the way Joe has prepared for other fights has got him to where he is anyway. So he doesn’t need to change much.”
Speaking of all the razzmatazz that goes on before the big fights, he added: “A few people said I got too involved in the pre-fight hype and it made me laugh. I thought Floyd was more rattled than me.
“Joe just has to do whatever makes him feel comfortable. There’s no point getting in someone’s face just for the sake of it.
“You just have to keep your eye on your game plan and stick to it. That’s the best way to do it.”
Because of the preparations for his own fight against Juan Lazcano next month, Hatton will be unable to return the favour of ringside support. But he insisted he would always have time for a chat, should Joe need any advice.
His main tip, to allow at least two weeks for acclimatisation, has been heeded by the Calzaghe camp, who flew out to America yesterday.
But, no matter how well prepared the Welshman is, Hatton admitted there is no substitute for experience when it comes to fighting in Vegas.
He hopes Calzaghe has learned from his own mistakes and is ready to make an unforgettable debut Stateside.
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Too bad Joe is getting in the ring with a legend and will end up with the same fate as Hatton.
Apr 6 2008 Wales On Sunday
THE man they call the Hitman is predicting Joe Calzaghe will enjoy his own VV day when he makes his US debut in a fortnight’s time.
Superstar Ricky Hatton has no doubts that Calzaghe will secure Victory in Vegas when his war with Bernard Hopkins comes to a head on April 19.
And with three glittering fights of his own in boxing’s capital, the Hitman should know all about competing on boxing’s biggest stage.
Hatton said: “I think Joe is ready for this fight and it’s about time really. With everything he has done in his career, it would have been a crying shame if he didn’t go out to the States. He deserves it, too, because he is one of the best British fighters we have ever had.
“This trip is long overdue and he really deserves to go to Vegas and have his name up in lights.”
There’s no doubt that Hatton’s experience has persuaded Calzaghe to try his luck on the other side of the Atlantic.
Calzaghe himself has admitted going to Vegas for Hatton’s defeat to Mayweather was a key motivator behind his decision to fight Hopkins in the States. The Welshman was taken aback by all the hype and hysteria surrounding the bout and he was desperate to taste the limelight for himself.
And Hatton knows it. “I think if I hadn’t gone out there and made the impression that I have done, Frank Warren would have preferred to keep him in Britain where he could keep an eye on him,” said the light welterweight star.
“Floyd [Mayweather] and I took this sport to another level. And I’m sure Joe went to the weigh-in, saw the crowd and thought: ‘Wow, I want a bit of this’.”
In fact, Hatton is surprised that Calzaghe, the proud owner of a 10-year unbeaten record, hadn’t taken the big step sooner.
“Brits, in order to prove themselves, always have to go over to America,” he explained.
“They don’t come over here too often and there’s good reason for it because it’s hard travelling half way across the world with eight hours time difference.
“It’s more difficult the first time you fight over there. But it does get more comfortable over a period of time and the more times you do it.”
And he had plenty of advice for his good friend, doing all in his power to ensure it is a very good night for Calzaghe and the Welsh fans.
“I’m confident he will win and good luck to him,” said Hatton. “I can’t see Joe losing and, while it’s not a foregone conclusion by any means, with his speed, work rate and busy-ness, I can only see one winner.
“And the way Joe has prepared for other fights has got him to where he is anyway. So he doesn’t need to change much.”
Speaking of all the razzmatazz that goes on before the big fights, he added: “A few people said I got too involved in the pre-fight hype and it made me laugh. I thought Floyd was more rattled than me.
“Joe just has to do whatever makes him feel comfortable. There’s no point getting in someone’s face just for the sake of it.
“You just have to keep your eye on your game plan and stick to it. That’s the best way to do it.”
Because of the preparations for his own fight against Juan Lazcano next month, Hatton will be unable to return the favour of ringside support. But he insisted he would always have time for a chat, should Joe need any advice.
His main tip, to allow at least two weeks for acclimatisation, has been heeded by the Calzaghe camp, who flew out to America yesterday.
But, no matter how well prepared the Welshman is, Hatton admitted there is no substitute for experience when it comes to fighting in Vegas.
He hopes Calzaghe has learned from his own mistakes and is ready to make an unforgettable debut Stateside.
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Too bad Joe is getting in the ring with a legend and will end up with the same fate as Hatton.
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