Hatton: "I Hope Pacquiao Improved His Body and Chin"

[Dave Rado]

how, exactly, has Hatton improved recently?? He's looked pretty terrible since he got KTFO

We've already been through that in this thread - see here.

[S.G.]

We've already been through that in this thread - see here.

he is clearly on the downward slope

and this new "boxing" **** Mayweather is tryna make him take up is just diluting the style that made him any good in the first place!

[Dave Rado]

he is clearly on the downward slope

and this new "boxing" **** Mayweather is tryna make him take up is just diluting the style that made him any good in the first place!

You're entitled to your opinion, but most boxing experts disagree.

[S.G.]

You're entitled to your opinion, but most boxing experts disagree.

the proof is in the pudding bro

[alembic]

@S.G. - what I've seen is Hatton being more adept at controlling distance with footwork; bridging the gap by using a jab along with head movement; maybe being more efficient with his punches overall.

I agree he hasn't look overwhelming since his loss to PBF but that doesn't mean that his skills haven't improved.

Freddie Roach's trash talk is just that. Trash talk. There's no way he's underestimating Ricky's improved boxing skills. This is no longer the mauler who comes at you with his head down and arms swinging.

[jetgeomcx]

I will bet my two hairy sagging balls that Pacquiao will KO Hatton on the 6th round.

now that's mean, buddy!!
ok, any taker out there???

[jetgeomcx]

But in addition, you're right to point out that the version of DLH who fought Forbes had already declined markedly compared with the version who fought Mayweather - he was easier to hit in the Forbes fight than he had ever been before.

precisely why freddie pursued the fyt for manny. he already knew how oscar was physically, and more importnly "psychologically", after the floyd fyt. He even advised oscar to check with a pshchiatrist but oscar just laughed it off...and so freddie coined the now famous phrase "can't pull the trigger".

[jetgeomcx]

F***ing hell! Is it just me or is this thread full of new members - all Pac nuthuggers - joining just to say how Pacman is going to "****" "murder" "retire" etc, Hatton?

This place is going to be an absolute goldmine of threads should Hatton win. It's gonna be the sweeeeeeeeeetest victory on a many number of levels.

On topic:

Hatton is just saying what should be expected of any fighter prior to a big fight. What do you all expect him to say?? "Oh, I expect Manny to kill me. I have no chance in this fight, I am going to quit now and save myself a beating"???

He is also saying things which are true, albeit slightly exaggerated, but does he need to be literal when he's doing hundreds of interviews about the same thing?
With regards to the Malignaggi fight, there were many critics who were talking about how Malignaggi's speed and elusive nature would cause problems to Hatton - and he proved them wrong by outspeeding and outboxing him. That is the truth.
Also Pacquiao has been stopped to the body twice, a long time ago admitedley, but again thats true. He has also been shaken up by fighters at 130 and below, so his chin is questionable going in to a fight against a hard hitter at 140 who will weigh around 154 on the night.

In regards to him saying Pacquiao is unable to fight backwards, again this seems to be the case. He is not known as a backfoot fighter. He is not comfortable fighting this way and prefers targets who are standoff-ish, slowmoving, and who don't pressurise him - his last two opponents have been like this, and we all know what happened. Hatton will be pressurising him non stop, with quick feet cutting off the ring and pushing Pac towards the ropes. Ricky will not give Pac any room to breathe and so he will have to fight on the backfoot in this fight, which will give him some problems, and not allow him the time and momentum to pull off powerful shots.

The majority of critics and casual boxing fans WILL be judging Pacquiao from his wins over Diaz and Oscar coming in to this fight - hence the thought amongst many that Pac is unbeatable. But those two fights do not give ANY indication of Manny's form at the higher weight divisions, as they were both walking punch bags IMO. Hatton is a completely different kettle of fish, and will provide his first REAL test above 130. His last real competitive fight was against Marquez at 130, and that was by no means an easy victory.

Hatton is going to shock the boxing world on May 2nd, who have bought in to the Pacquiao hype, and as Hatton puts it, think he should be fighting Godzilla. Hatton has improved, will be thinking alot more about what he is doing, and will be fully prepared for Pac. Manny will not be prepared for Hatton. They are judging him from past fights against Collazo, Mayweather, Lazcano etc, but he will be very different from the Ricky in those fights. Manny's sparring partners so far do not represent a fighter of Hatton's style and so will be of no help to him at all. Knocking them out is not gonna be of any use either, as he will not be KO'ing Hatton.

The more I hear and think about this fight, the more confident I get about a Hatton win. People are getting too complacent with Hatton, including Roach and Manny's camp as a whole, and this is gonna be their downfall.

ok u can quit now mate. u have said your piece, and you're no different from the others. but u are far better because you are using a very clear "crystal ball"....peace.

[jetgeomcx]

It doesn't mean to say he's scared of Ricky. Ricky might just be trying to elicit some fear in him. It's all mind games basically at this point, and not outlandish crap that Roach is spouting about a 3rd round KO..

"outlandish" it may be but that's his(freddie) opinion. as you and me and the rest have his own opinion. i respect your opinion and everybody else's, and i don't mind if nobody respect mine.... i just don't want people to be insulting my person because of my 'mis'-aligned opinion. and so i don't insult anybody, a banter for a smile/laugh will do.

I agree that some posters are very childish, ridiculous and/or preposterous even racist with their posts. bug off you people...

[J.B.moneY.]

WAR! I SEE A WAR!....btw read my thread about how ricky came out yesterday and said he could KO pac in 30 seconds...its only to respond to roach