Hatton's next opponent - if not Witter, then who? by Oliver Fennell Jan 26th 2008

Let's face it, Ricky Hatton versus Junior Witter is not going to happen. For every reason Hatton has given for not wanting the fight, there is a compelling counter-argument. The boxing forums are packed with fans' demands for the fight and trade paper Boxing News' letter pages frequently make the same call. The usually-neutral magazine even took an editorial stance on the situation recently, publishing a double-page opinion spread on why the fight should happen. And yet there was Hatton on Sky Sports News just a few days ago, revealing plans for a May or June comeback, but again dashing hopes for a Witter match. Anybody who reads BBN, Boxing News or visits online forums will know what the excuses are and what the counter-arguments are. In fact, anybody who's followed the sport over the past eight years will know it's the fight Britain has been waiting for the whole time. So it's not for me to rehash the points of view. I think it's safe to say the fight's dead in the water. And if that is indeed the case, then where might Hatton be looking instead? Here's a look at his possible opponents. Oscar De La Hoya Why? For the love of money, that's why! De La Hoya remains the single biggest box office attraction in boxing, and anybody who fights him can expect a huge payday. And, on a less superficial level, a win over De La Hoya would by far be the biggest success of Hatton's career, and one of the all-time great British victories. Why not? Following his welterweight scare against Luis Collazo and defeat to Floyd Mayweather, Hatton has told anybody who'd listen that he had been fighting above his natural weight class. Why, then, would he want to fight a man who's been as high as middleweight? The cynics would say Hatton was only in it for the money – and even if he wasn't, it looks a tremendously difficult night's work for Ricky. Also worth mentioning is the fact De La Hoya doesn't currently hold a belt. Who would win? De La Hoya just looks too big for Hatton. Even pound-for-pound, he looks too good. Hatton would have to hope De La Hoya grows old overnight at 35. Will it happen? Oscar's got a three-fight “farewell tour” planned for 2008, with Steve Forbes first up in May. This looks to be followed up with a Mayweather rematch in September. Might Hatton be in the frame for the final chapter, in December? Hard to say what the situation will look like in 11 months' time. Miguel Cotto Why? This has been almost as long-awaited as Hatton-Witter, and even more eagerly. It promises to be a crowd-pleasing brawl – and what a crowd it would be, especially if held in Cotto's “house”, Madison Square Garden, with Hatton's travelling army in tow. On top of this, it would be another chance at welterweight gold for Hatton. Why not? We're back to the old welterweight bugbear. Hatton insists he's a 10st fighter (unless De La Hoya can give him a few million reasons to think otherwise), while Cotto is now a firmly established welter – and a big one, at that. Who would win? Despite the weight class issues, I think Hatton has a decent chance in this one. Hatton himself is big for his weight, and Cotto came up from 10st. Both have shown weaknesses, but styles make fights. Hatton can be outboxed by slicker operators, while Cotto has looked vulnerable against aggressive fighters. In a head-on collision, Hatton guts out a hard-fought decision. Will it happen? No. Hatton's not going to relish a trip back to 10st 7lb unless it's for Mayweather or De La Hoya-like big bucks. Paulie Malignaggi Why? Malignaggi brings TV name recognition across the pond, a decent fan base in New York, a motormouth to hype the fight, and a title – and is a light-welterweight. He would be a lucrative and winnable assignment for Hatton. Why not? Talk about going over old ground – Hatton has won the IBF light-welterweight belt twice, and relinquished it twice. Winning it again does not figure to advance his career any. On top of this, Malignaggi is a speedy boxer who could make Hatton look bad – if not actually beat him. Who would win? I wouldn't be surprised of Malignaggi bedazzled Hatton with his superior speed of hand and foot, but I'd sooner put my money on the Hitman hunting down the light-punching New Yorker for a late stoppage or unanimous points decision. Will it happen? Of the names on my list, this looks the most likely. Malignaggi is calling for it, Hatton is open to the idea, and there are no obvious promotional or TV obstacles. Ricardo Torres Why? It's another winnable route back to a world championship. Torres holds the WBO belt and his stock increased last time out by winning an upset against Kendall Holt. Torres is also known Stateside and would likely engage Hatton in a crowd-pleasing scrap. Why not? Torres looks a higher risk and lower reward than Malignaggi. Sure, Hatton would be comfortably favoured to beat him, but the Colombian is fit, strong, rough and tenacious. His WBO belt and lesser drawing power probably make Torres look more trouble than he's worth. Who would win? Hatton can bank enough of the early rounds to take a decision after a strong finish from Torres. Will it happen? Torres' name is in the rumour mill and he would certainly relish what would be a breakthrough match for him. But he would likely only get the call if the more saleable Malignaggi contest cannot be finalised. Gavin Rees Why? Rees represents another beatable world champion, with the added bonus for British fans of an all-domestic dust-up. Why not? With fans up and down the UK calling for a clash with Witter, there could be a serious PR backlash if Hatton was to fight a different – and lesser-regarded – domestic rival. Who would win? Rees doesn't look to punch hard enough to discourage Hatton. His fast hands might cause some problems early, but Hatton should be able to break the Welshman down in about eight rounds. Will it happen? Unlikely. Rees is not even the most marketable option in this country, let alone internationally, so it wouldn't be much of a payday. And besides, Rees' promoter, Frank Warren, would not want to risk his champion against a fighter who dumped him in 2005. Juan Diaz Why? Diaz is the universally-recognised number-one lightweight and an aggressive sort who figures to meet Hatton head-on. Fireworks are guaranteed, and Hatton would enjoy being the bigger man for the first time in a while. Why not? With Diaz coming up in weight, he wouldn't bring a title to the table. And can he move to light-welter and remain effective? His body looks a bit soft even at 9st 9lb. And, even if Hatton was to win impressively, the critics would just say he'd beaten up on a smaller man. Who would win? Hatton would be too big – especially on the night – and too powerful. Diaz is aggressive but not a big puncher. Hatton has a good chin and will not be deterred by the “Baby Bull”. Ricky could win by late stoppage or points. Will it happen? If Hatton takes a non-title contest next, this might be his best option. A winnable fight against a TV-friendly name in what is likely to be a crowd-pleasing affair. What's not to like?

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Boxer vs. Brawler Jan 28th 2008, 21:50:33 by fungus Malignaggi has called him out and has a reasonably large fan base in New York, certainly enough to fill MSG. Every time Malignaggi performs poorly he has his ready made excuses, and that should convince anybody that Malignaggi is really just looking for that one big payday before he retires. Hatton ought to consider giving Malignaggi his retirement bonus.