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I've made this thread as this is a subject that frequently gets raised in NSB - it's a fight we all want to see, I guess - but usually such threads descend into recriminations from all sides.
What I want to see in this thread is serious debate and discussion of all the various issues. What I don't want to see is the following:
* Flaming and name-calling, plus perjorative insults
* Discussion of nationality, either of the boxers OR fellow posters
* Talk of "ownage", "nuthuggers" and "fearing"... ADULT discussion only, please.
* Talk of who's fault it is that this bout hasn't taken place yet. Various conflicting stories have emerged from various sources, and none of us can KNOW for sure which is the true version, so it's pointless factoring it into a discussion.
If you feel you can't abide by these requirements, then please log back out of this thread - there are another 19 threads on this front page you can join in. Thankyou.
Okay, so... who would win in this thereotical match-up, Hatton or Mayweather?
My view is... I don't know.
For a start, I think both men are actually greatly overrated right now, and I feel comfortable that future history will back me up on this.
However, one thing I do believe is that it will be a reasonably competitive bout insofar as it will more than likely go the distance. Both men have shown they can take a shot, and neither - despite Hatton's textbook left hook that KO'd the iron-jawed Maussa, or Floyd's (almost) KO of 4 out of 5 above-135 victims - are singularly concussive punchers. In particular, Floyd's power hasn't carried up with him to a great extent, bearing in mind his opponents stopped above 135 were a shot Mitchell and Gatti, Henry Brusselles and (almost) Zab Judah, a man who is known to be subseptible to a solid shot anyway.
In terms of physical strength then Hatton is naturally the larger man, so the physical aspect of it would fall towards him. (Which negates the Collazo argument. Collazo isn't a particularly strong 147lber, but he IS a natural 147lber.)
However, the sport we love isn't about being the strongest, particularly with Floyd's style, and there IS a possibility that an accumulation of punches could cause a cut/Hatton to be pulled out. However, bear in mind Hatton will be constantly closing the gap (in a way that Gatti DIDN'T, he tried to conventionally box with Floyd) and also doesn't have the stamina issues that plagued Judah.
If I had to pick then the most likely scenario would probably be a reasonably close, competitive fight that would turn out something like 115-113 Mayweather and would - in a ideal world - have us on here congratulating both men on an exciting, well-fought bout.
There is perhaps a school of thought that if this match ever does come off then it could lead to what Hatton is often accused of - getting an opponent "at the right time". Floyd's reflex/speed based style is going to be harder to maintain in his 30s (Gatti aside, he's been getting hit more often lately, if only very slightly) and it's also possible to argue that he hasn't taken on a "live" opponent in the full sense of the term since 2002. That's four years of Brusselles and shot Mitchells, while Hatton has been getting used to fighting dangerous opponents. Whatever the view of Hatton's recent competition, I'd regard an old Tszyu, a unique Maussa and possibly even Collazo as more dangerous than Floyd's recent crop. So disregarding their entire fight record, recent history has one that is used to being in the trenches of late, and one that isn't.
In Floyd's favour then I believe - and the Juice will disagree with me here, but it's my view - that Hatton has a particular weakness for southpaws, as evidenced in his much-discussed prior fight. If Floyd adopts the southpaw stance for the duration it could significantly increase his chances of winning.
The bottom line is, it's my view that this won't be a one-sided blow out on either side, and that each man will not only be arguably the most dangerous opponent either has faced, but also the perfect foil for the other. If you had to devise a fighter that could beat Floyd, it would be Hatton. If you had to devise a fighter that could beat Hatton... you get my point.
My gut instinct is that Floyd would win on points, but I'm not fixed on that by any means. I do think that it should happen soon, though, because every time these guys fight, the prospect of two undefeated fighters facing each other is lessened...
What I want to see in this thread is serious debate and discussion of all the various issues. What I don't want to see is the following:
* Flaming and name-calling, plus perjorative insults
* Discussion of nationality, either of the boxers OR fellow posters
* Talk of "ownage", "nuthuggers" and "fearing"... ADULT discussion only, please.
* Talk of who's fault it is that this bout hasn't taken place yet. Various conflicting stories have emerged from various sources, and none of us can KNOW for sure which is the true version, so it's pointless factoring it into a discussion.
If you feel you can't abide by these requirements, then please log back out of this thread - there are another 19 threads on this front page you can join in. Thankyou.
Okay, so... who would win in this thereotical match-up, Hatton or Mayweather?
My view is... I don't know.
For a start, I think both men are actually greatly overrated right now, and I feel comfortable that future history will back me up on this.
However, one thing I do believe is that it will be a reasonably competitive bout insofar as it will more than likely go the distance. Both men have shown they can take a shot, and neither - despite Hatton's textbook left hook that KO'd the iron-jawed Maussa, or Floyd's (almost) KO of 4 out of 5 above-135 victims - are singularly concussive punchers. In particular, Floyd's power hasn't carried up with him to a great extent, bearing in mind his opponents stopped above 135 were a shot Mitchell and Gatti, Henry Brusselles and (almost) Zab Judah, a man who is known to be subseptible to a solid shot anyway.
In terms of physical strength then Hatton is naturally the larger man, so the physical aspect of it would fall towards him. (Which negates the Collazo argument. Collazo isn't a particularly strong 147lber, but he IS a natural 147lber.)
However, the sport we love isn't about being the strongest, particularly with Floyd's style, and there IS a possibility that an accumulation of punches could cause a cut/Hatton to be pulled out. However, bear in mind Hatton will be constantly closing the gap (in a way that Gatti DIDN'T, he tried to conventionally box with Floyd) and also doesn't have the stamina issues that plagued Judah.
If I had to pick then the most likely scenario would probably be a reasonably close, competitive fight that would turn out something like 115-113 Mayweather and would - in a ideal world - have us on here congratulating both men on an exciting, well-fought bout.
There is perhaps a school of thought that if this match ever does come off then it could lead to what Hatton is often accused of - getting an opponent "at the right time". Floyd's reflex/speed based style is going to be harder to maintain in his 30s (Gatti aside, he's been getting hit more often lately, if only very slightly) and it's also possible to argue that he hasn't taken on a "live" opponent in the full sense of the term since 2002. That's four years of Brusselles and shot Mitchells, while Hatton has been getting used to fighting dangerous opponents. Whatever the view of Hatton's recent competition, I'd regard an old Tszyu, a unique Maussa and possibly even Collazo as more dangerous than Floyd's recent crop. So disregarding their entire fight record, recent history has one that is used to being in the trenches of late, and one that isn't.
In Floyd's favour then I believe - and the Juice will disagree with me here, but it's my view - that Hatton has a particular weakness for southpaws, as evidenced in his much-discussed prior fight. If Floyd adopts the southpaw stance for the duration it could significantly increase his chances of winning.
The bottom line is, it's my view that this won't be a one-sided blow out on either side, and that each man will not only be arguably the most dangerous opponent either has faced, but also the perfect foil for the other. If you had to devise a fighter that could beat Floyd, it would be Hatton. If you had to devise a fighter that could beat Hatton... you get my point.
My gut instinct is that Floyd would win on points, but I'm not fixed on that by any means. I do think that it should happen soon, though, because every time these guys fight, the prospect of two undefeated fighters facing each other is lessened...
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