Hatton – Collazo prediction
By JE Grant
Once we get past the loopy idea that this is a “world” title fight, we are still left with one of the more intriguing matches in the welterweight division.
Ricky Hatton at 40-0 (30 KOs) is still riding a wave of adulation following a campaign in 2005 that resulted in fighter of the year honors from every corner of the globe. At 140 pounds he was able to garner not just a trinket belt, but the actual division championship by stopping Kostya Tszyu. No one doubts his ability or willingness at 140.
The weight stands out so prominently because all 40 of his fights have been at or very near that limit. His strength and ferocity are central to his ability to overwhelm opponents.
What makes the fight with Collazo a little more interesting is the fact that the New Yorker has been a welterweight (147) or higher in all of his 27 fights enroute to a 26-1 (12 KOs) record. Though not a power-hitter (presumably why he was chosen as the opponent for Hatton’s American debut), he has proven tough and willing.
He has beaten some rugged competition such as Jose Antonio Rivera (who captured a super-welterweight belt recently), and his sole loss came more than four years ago to Edwin Cassiani via a third round stoppage.
Nonetheless he will enter the ring Saturday night in Boston a decided underdog. Hatton’s explosive and relentless style has fans in his native England rabid in their attachment to the young champion. His worldwide acclaim has grown dramatically following the Tsyzu fight that he followed by knocking out Carlos Maussa.
The real question in this fight won’t be about ability. Hatton has it much greater abundance than does Collazo. No, the question will be about Hatton’s strength at 147. Again, Collazo has always been a welterweight and Hatton has never been above 142.
Add to the mix that Collazo is a southpaw who presents odd angles. His quick shots are sure to catch anyone running in. Further, an opponent who becomes frustrated is in for a night of a high volume of crisp counters.
Collazo won’t be without his own problems. Hatton is unquestionably strong and determined --- irrespective of weight class. The Englishman also has fast hands that are in constant motion. Collazo enjoys getting into a high volume rhythm but he has never been forced to produce at the mega-pace that Hatton is sure to set.
The real difference between the combatants is one of skill level. No one will walkover Collazo and only the elite of the sport will prove able to put together the complete set of speed, power, willpower, and overall talent. Hatton brings such a set of traits. Although he probably does not possess the punch to end the fight suddenly, he has a full kit bag of tricks that he will display.
PREDICTION: Hatton’s hustle and hand speed will keep Collazo on the defense. Collazo will have his moments but he just won’t have the octane in his tank to slow Hatton, the bull. Hatton wins a clear 12 round decision.
Once we get past the loopy idea that this is a “world” title fight, we are still left with one of the more intriguing matches in the welterweight division.
Ricky Hatton at 40-0 (30 KOs) is still riding a wave of adulation following a campaign in 2005 that resulted in fighter of the year honors from every corner of the globe. At 140 pounds he was able to garner not just a trinket belt, but the actual division championship by stopping Kostya Tszyu. No one doubts his ability or willingness at 140.
The weight stands out so prominently because all 40 of his fights have been at or very near that limit. His strength and ferocity are central to his ability to overwhelm opponents.
What makes the fight with Collazo a little more interesting is the fact that the New Yorker has been a welterweight (147) or higher in all of his 27 fights enroute to a 26-1 (12 KOs) record. Though not a power-hitter (presumably why he was chosen as the opponent for Hatton’s American debut), he has proven tough and willing.
He has beaten some rugged competition such as Jose Antonio Rivera (who captured a super-welterweight belt recently), and his sole loss came more than four years ago to Edwin Cassiani via a third round stoppage.
Nonetheless he will enter the ring Saturday night in Boston a decided underdog. Hatton’s explosive and relentless style has fans in his native England rabid in their attachment to the young champion. His worldwide acclaim has grown dramatically following the Tsyzu fight that he followed by knocking out Carlos Maussa.
The real question in this fight won’t be about ability. Hatton has it much greater abundance than does Collazo. No, the question will be about Hatton’s strength at 147. Again, Collazo has always been a welterweight and Hatton has never been above 142.
Add to the mix that Collazo is a southpaw who presents odd angles. His quick shots are sure to catch anyone running in. Further, an opponent who becomes frustrated is in for a night of a high volume of crisp counters.
Collazo won’t be without his own problems. Hatton is unquestionably strong and determined --- irrespective of weight class. The Englishman also has fast hands that are in constant motion. Collazo enjoys getting into a high volume rhythm but he has never been forced to produce at the mega-pace that Hatton is sure to set.
The real difference between the combatants is one of skill level. No one will walkover Collazo and only the elite of the sport will prove able to put together the complete set of speed, power, willpower, and overall talent. Hatton brings such a set of traits. Although he probably does not possess the punch to end the fight suddenly, he has a full kit bag of tricks that he will display.
PREDICTION: Hatton’s hustle and hand speed will keep Collazo on the defense. Collazo will have his moments but he just won’t have the octane in his tank to slow Hatton, the bull. Hatton wins a clear 12 round decision.
posted by JE Boxing at Tuesday, May 09, 2006
9 Comments:
Agreed JE.Collazo is a legit top-10 guy,butI think Hatton is going to be just a 'bit too much' for him.Relentless pressure...
(I think Hatton may stop him.We'll see...)
Whew,looks like you were pretty damn close there Troy!I strongly felt the fight was going to be at least somewhat competitve and close,but not quite THAT close!
(Ricky's defense was pourous,and he wasn't jabbing his way in.He also didn't seem to handle the 147 move as well as I thought might.All in all - a very flawed performance.)
BTW-As for Collazo,his stock did indeed rise.(I tried telling people this guy was legit top-10.)But although he boxed wonderfully at times-giving angles and movement-he was a bit inconsistent in that regard.But it was a VERY close fight,and he had him hurt in the 12th.
*And while Collazo is a good-size 147-pounder and strong,he is NOT a big-puncher.He is very modest in that department.Had that been a big-punching welter tonight? It would have been 'bye-bye Ricky' folks...
And a slick Mayweather would have outboxed him and/or tore his face to shreds.Margarito? He beats him as well...
Guys,I think what Hatton should do,is move back down to 140 and fight the winner of Castillo-Corrales 3.OH...What a fight that would be!But if it's not that fight guys,he'll stay at 147 and chase the 'greenbacks'.Even Cotto (if he beats Malinaggi) will be at 147 in 2007...
P.S-Guys,at 147...I now give Mosley & Judah a very good chance to beat him.And to a lesser extent - even the winner of Gatti-Baldamir.
Pretty good job there, JE. I really like Hatton but I thought Collazo would give him problems, which he did. I actually had it 114-113 in favor of Collazo. I sided with him when he said afterwards the Hatton was holding on to much. Like Cruiserweight said, it was a very flawed fight for Hatton.
Agreed Joe.I had the fight a draw BTW,but could have easily have seen it going to EITHER man by a SLIGHT margin...
P.S-Good to see some quality new posters here!
Hatton's style lends itself to muddled scoring. He rushes headlong into his opponents and it is hard to see clean punches by him and his opponent. It also inevitably leads to numerous clinches.
Yeah JE...I am keeping in mind that Colazzo is a southpaw,but Hatton's style has changed a bit.He never used to do that QUITE to the extent he has in his last few fights.It worked with Tsuyu,but it only worked here with very 'mixed results'.And I found it a bit ugly and annoying to watch,quite honestly.And that is coming from someone who has always liked watching him...
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