Amir Khan vs Matthew Hatton Could Be Khan's First Welterweight Fight
by Scott Christ on Oct 7, 2011 12:34 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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If and when Amir Khan gets past Lamont Peterson on December 10, the British star is looking to move up to welterweight in 2012, with the end goal being a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr, but the quest could start against Matthew Hatton. From RingTV.com:
"I want to step up to welterweight after I fight Peterson and there's been a lot of talk about who I might fight first. That could be against Ricky Hatton's brother Matthew, " said Khan. "They've approached us and said they would be happy to take that fight if I move up to 147 pounds.
"I want a fight like that at 147 before I have the big fights just so I can get a feel for it, so my body can get a feel for it."
Hatton (42-5-2, 16 KO) recently defeated Andrei Abramenka following his March loss to Canelo Alvarez, and would be a safe name for Khan's climb to welterweight. The 30-year-old brother of Ricky Hatton has never been a true world class operator, but he's a tough fighter who gives a real effort every time out. The fact that he's not much of a puncher also makes him a safe first try for Khan at 147.
This is about the level of fight I expected Khan to take in his move up, and it would also give him a chance to fight again in the United Kingdom. While Khan is looking for major stardom in the States, he's done a good job not forgetting that his roots are in the U.K., and that he has a lot more fans there (and interested detractors) than he has here. Fighting Hatton would be sort of like fighting Paul McCloskey earlier this year -- a way to go back home for a fight that can sell, and keep his name attached to British boxing at the same time. Plus, if he continues to sell fights in the U.K., his chance of maybe convincing Mayweather to fight him there does go up just a bit. It's probably still unlikely, but Floyd has expressed interest in fighting at Wembley Stadium on numerous occasions.
Khan (26-1, 18 KO) has defeated McCloskey and Zab Judah this year without much trouble, but should get a stiffer test from the in-prime, determined Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KO).
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Much like the Matthew Hatton Canelo fight, Hatton won’t have a chance. Khan’s just…. too good.
Stoppage win for Khan me thinks
I’ve just thrown up in my mouth. Very bad match-up. It wouldn’t go past 6 rounds.
If Khan wants a British opponent who isn’t proven at world class, lets see him get in with Kell Brook.
I’m thinking Khan vs. Brook is the logical next step.
by The Twillness on Oct 7, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I would like to see it but i don’t think it will happen, not yet anyway.
I think they will both see it as too much for both to lose at this stage, whatever they say in public.
It could and should happen in the future though, where i see both as major players in the welterweight division.
I know Brook is still relatively untested, but i think he will come through those tests with flying colours and definitely see him as a serious challenge to Khan in a year or so.
Even though they are about the same age, Khan is more seasoned, so i don’t think it would be in Kell’s best interests to take the fight just yet.
Although i would still give him a good shot at winning, even now, i think he needs a few higher profile fights, a few steps up in class first.
Plus he would be better off if he can pick a belt up to take into the negotiations, imo.
How about Hatton v Brook?
Winner fights Khan.
by Phill on Oct 7, 2011 4:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think that would be a better way of doing things. Brook and Hatton should have fought already anyway, at British title level, imo, so yeah i would still like to see that.
I think they are both looking for “world” title shots though.
Even though i think Brook would pretty much trounce Hatton and make him look daft at times i would still liked to have seen it. MH would have brought the preesure i reckon.
Are you watching the US vs UK Military on Box Nation Matt?
by Phill on Oct 7, 2011 4:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Have just switched it on now.
Tommorrow morning at 10am is the time to watch though, Phill.
World Amateur Championship finals are on and we have 3 boxers in the finals. Best ever results at a Worlds for the UK with 3 silvers and 1 bronze already guaranteed.
I have just done a fanpost about it on the right.
Watch out for that Lomachenko kid if you tune in tommorrow.
I’ll prob miss it mate. It’s my dad’s 89th tomorrow and we’ll be arranging a surprise bash in the morning. I’ll try and catch what I can. Agree on the Albert Hall comment too, by the way.
by Phill on Oct 7, 2011 4:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes. I’m lucky. He’s always kept himself in good nick.
by Phill on Oct 7, 2011 4:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
While I personally think Brook is no threat to Khan
That’s too much risk for GBP. Ishida upset notwithstanding, they’ve been extremely careful with their young potential stars lately, possibly even more so than TR.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Oct 7, 2011 7:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why don't you think he's a big threat?
He’s slick, throws in combination and can counter with big power. I think Khan would be losing sleep if they scheduled a fight
by Sweet science on Oct 7, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
You say that you think Brook is no threat to Khan yet also say that it’s too much risk for GBP. That’s a bit of a contradiction.
I know for some reason you don’t rate Brook all that highly but i have to say i think you only need a pair of eyes top see the obvious talent.
So he hasn’t been in with top opposition yet, he’s still only 25 and he is making the step up now.
He will be in the mix with the best at 147 within a year, imo.
I eman, i remember you saying not long ago that you had him rated about the same level as Ashley Sexton? Come on, that’s ridiculous.
I think what Brick means is that
GB see Brook as a threat. And if Khan were to lose, how would they then market him to the US audience after losing to an “unknown” brit
by Sweet science on Oct 8, 2011 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, i know what he is saying, that GBP might think that but he doesn’t, and we are all entitled to our opinions.
I just think he sells Brook a bit short. Fair enough to say that he hasn’t fought the best opposition yet, but i just think the talent level is clear to see.
Maybe he’s right and Brook isn’t that good, but i strongly disagree with this argument i just started. :)
We’ll see, but i think Brook is gonna be one of the UK’s best, certainly of the current crop.
BTW
I just read this. Khan has mentioned a sparring session with Brook before, but here he gives more details.
I would be interested to hear Brook’s side of it:
http://www.boxingscene.com/khan-reveals-i-knocked-kell-brook-around-sparring—44720
To be honest i actually read this wrong at first. I thought it said he had “knocked Brook out” but it’s really “knocked him around” which is hardly as impressive.
I’m sure Brook will say he did the same to Khan.
Yeah just the usual shit after the sparring
It looks nailed on to happen at some point. 2012…. maybe too soon. But im liking Kells chances against Amir with each passing fight
by Sweet science on Oct 8, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, im in disagreement with Brick
Brook is a top talent. Needs to start stepping up. Boxed really well tonight. Great defence, varies up his offence, good pop and great movement of foot and head. Brilliant.
by Sweet science on Oct 8, 2011 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt it happens till Brook has some real name value in the US
The risk is too much otherwise
by Sweet science on Oct 7, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
ugggghhhhhhhh
Hatton is pure crap.
Khan puts his foot in his mouth way too much. This is no preparation for a Mayweather fight next yr.
by Shitali Klitschko on Oct 7, 2011 1:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I’d be fine with this if Khan was coming off an injury, or a long-layoff, or this was a short-notice replacement to keep a set date when a previous opponent fell through.
With this much notice, they’ve got to be able to get a better opponent. Is Hatton even top 20 at 147?
by Verklemptomaniac on Oct 7, 2011 3:35 PM EDT reply actions
Why when a fighter, any fighter, is moving up in weight, would he want to choose a top fighter for his first test. He wouldn’t. Khan is no different.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
I’m not asking him to fight Floyd or Manny straight out, or even Berto or Ortiz. But I don’t think a fighter of Khan’s calibur should be fighting a guy who’s, at best, a pretty good Euro-level fighter.
by Verklemptomaniac on Oct 7, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate SAFE fights like this.
No disrespect to Matthew, he is a game fighter but in reality, not many are going to watch this. I won’t as it’s too much of a mismatch.
"That was very funny about the old man basketball skills. One is lucky to escape injury when playing against those crafty, crusty sumbitches. And it’s just demoralizing when they demonstrate yet again how to use the backboard from range." - Charlie Custer
Sorry, but this is ridiculous.
Matthew is to Ricky a bit like Marvis was to Joe: not father-son, obviously, but in terms of their ability.
Matthew Hatton just doesn’t have anything that could make him a credible contender, let alone a credible opponent. He’s a talented, “it’s Friday night let’s grab a beer and watch a fight” fighter, but no more.
Khan’s got a long way to go, and has to hope Pacquiao and Mayweather both disappear, before he has much to look forward to, and Hatton won’t amount to anything more than a meaningless win.
It’s a bad fight, but maybe less bad because Khan’s moving in weight. But people talk crap about Bradley ducking Khan; at least when Bradley moved up to welterweight he picked an undefeated opponent coming off his career best win, not a pushover that has consistently fallen short against world-class competition. Maybe now they’ll talk less crap? idk
IMO Bradley didn't duck Khan....
He made a business decision.
His entire career he had to travel to get his belt, maintain and defend it and when he finally beats Alexander, Alexander, not Bradley, got to choose his next opponent, Matthyse. Bradley just said “Fuck this shit, I’m the goddamn champion and I’m being treated like the guy who lost. Enough already”. And got up and left.
He hates Khan and I think would give him hell…buy why should he have to travel again to the UK to fight a guy for his own title; a title that he won in the UK in the first place.
Sometimes we talk without listening (at least that is what my wife says) but in this case. we might do ourselves a favor and think about it from the fighter’s perspective.
I say sometimes because they can be idiots and make bad and even horrible career decisions themselves…and they too often do.
In this case, TB will be just fine as long as he performs in the ring.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
You don’t have a say when you can’t draw flies… It isn’t rocket science… your line of thinking is just stupid.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Be careful
You know not of what you speak…and when you do that, you can sound pretty damn dumb.
The fact is he does have a say. And he did what he thought was smart business. Now instead of what ever you think, he will be getting paid to fighting on a real stage.
I’m not sure if you can read….but try.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20111006/SPORTS03/110060317/Timothy-Bradley-now-has-fighting-chance
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
I say what I said in the other thread.... because I am tired writing the same thing over and over agian to someone is just dense.
Are this this dense… you are complaining about 250K…seriously? He was complaining about fighting there, because he was getting a check there. No one in Vegas, LA, or even St Louis wanted to see the fight and thus didn’t pay a site fee which was very modest for a fight between two american fighters.
Alexander picked a ranked contender who was a live dog…. You are still going on about that?
Bradley didn’t pick anyone… and it was understood that the winner was going to face Khan.
You are just being obtuse….
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Do you have a clue as tto how promotion actually works. I’m guessing not.
Promoters can indeed be paid for a site as a fee or…in the case of Nonito’ next fight…they can showcase they’re fighter buy PAYING for the site; in Nonito’s case, MSG Theatre. In other ords, the promoter invests to get bigger dividends for all parties.
MSG costs 150,000….out of the promoters pocket.
So all your nonsense is just that. Uninformed blather….from someone who I know likes boxing but doesn’’t know jack squat about how the boxing business works.
But kep reading. You May learn.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
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