Ricky Hatton Thinks Mayweather Can Beat Pacquiao, Will Have Trouble With Khan
by Waldo Rastel on Nov 21, 2011 10:44 PM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
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In an interview with Gareth Davies of The Telegraph, Ricky Hatton had a couple comments regarding potential matchups for Floyd Mayweather Jr. After the Juan Manuel Marquez fight, the consensus opinion is that Pacquiao is going to get dominated by the slick defense of Money May. It seems that Hatton is just another observer whose opinion of Pacquiao has gone down dramatically.
"I thought Manny had problems with Marquez's style and maybe he would always have problems with that style. Pacquiao is a pure fighter. On the strength of that contest and performance, it is hard to see how Manny would beat Floyd Mayweather if they actually ever meet in a ring. I know people really talk that fight up, and are really excited about it happening, but I actually think that though people are talking about it as one of the biggest fights of all time, it could actually be an anti-climax because it could be a wide points decision for Floyd over Manny."
I pretty much see the fight in the same exact way. Floyd's best attribute is defense, specifically making his opponent reluctant to release his hands. If Marquez effectively halved Pacquiao's punch output, there is no telling what Floyd can do to Manny's punch output. However, this was not the only matchup that Hatton commented on. He also gave his thoughts on a potential fight between Floyd and Amir Khan.
"You really have to marvel at how much Amir has come on since he lost to Breidis Prescott three years ago. He has become a formidable boxer. Amir has that in-out style which could give Mayweather problems. Floyd likes fighters coming straight at him and Amir has the style to challenge Floyd. I'm not saying he would beat Floyd but I think he has a good chance against him. Floyd has that style like James Degale, who looks like a world beater when someone's coming at him. I'm a huge fan of Amir and how much hard work he has put into his career in to trying to get to the top of the sport."
I think Khan could give Mayweather problems, but not for the same reasons that Hatton states. Khan's best attribute is speed. He has power and speed, which are both attributes that can trouble Mayweather. Mayweather is not as fast as he used to be and his legs don't have the spring they used to have. However, Khan's defense is terrible. If he can't stop Marcos "Slower than Molasses" Maidana from punching him in the face, then Floyd is going to be able to tee off on him all day long. The only question is can Floyd get out of the pocket quick enough to avoid counter shots from Khan. In my opinion, I think he can quite easily, but I would really want to see it. The question to you guys is then what potential Mayweather matchup do you think would make a better fight? Khan or Pacquiao?
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I have always thought that Khan would be a tough matchup for Mayweather. He knows how to use his height with his jab and speed. I think his defense isn’t terrible. I don’t think Maidana hit him that much outside of when he caught Khan with a massive overhand right which is a different shot than Floyd would throw. I feel that Khan is a special talent that would be highly motivated for the biggest fight of his life.
Whether Floyd is slowing down of not, he is still pretty damn quick and still has a very quick reaction time. When Floyd fought Ortiz he gave us a different look, he wasn’t backing up in that fight. In the second and third round he was actually pursuing Ortiz. I feel if Floyd wants to be the aggressor he can if he wants to.
It would be fun to see Floyd fight Khan, but we seen Floyd beat up on quick punchers before, Zab Judah and Shane Mosely. I feel if Floyd can hurt Khan, he will be able to finish him up against the ropes.
I still think Martinez would be the toughest fight out there for Floyd, if they can figure out the weight issue.
Hmmm... good question.
Mayweather vs
Pac-Man- I think Floyd operates at a higher level of boxing than Manny and would favour him at least 2-1. He’s smart enough to do everything down the middle of Pac, and his defensive focus is outstanding.
That said, Floyd stands his ground against southpaws. Most times he will eventually attempt to walk them down. I think that makes him dangerously available to Manny’s best punch. The speed and power in that shot stuns everybody.
Pac’s best chance to come out hard and fast right away.
vs. Khan- He has everything necessary to give Floyd the most competitive fight since JLC. He actually carries a few ADVANTAGES over Floyd, imo! When was the last time we could say that? Fresh, quick legs, a pretty effortless jab, throws more combinations…
He matches up well against Mayweather athletically and in size, too. The one thing I really respect about the way he fights is how he sticks to the plan. He fights his fight. Pretty mature fighter for a young guy.
Can he stay off his ass for 12? That’s the question. He’s got a lot of ground to make up in defense and inside fighting.
He has the stuff to keep everything long, straight and quick all night long…
I’d give Khan a better chance than Pac at taking the biggest prize in boxing- the “0”
I should mention that Floyd can kayo Khan. I don’t think he can put Pac away.
The big question with Khan is if his speed and power will translate to the higher weight class. Let’s not forget that in 2009 Khan was fighting at 135. It certainly was a good move to move to 140 but 147 might sap some of his speed to the point where he doesn’t have the advantage over Floyd. I would want to see Khan at 147 a couple times before really giving him the speed advantage.
"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi
by Waldo Rastel on Nov 22, 2011 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
I think Khan has far too many flaws to be competitive against Mayweather, specifically when it comes to footwork, inside fighting, and defense. I also think his jab is being somewhat overvalued; sure he throws it fast and it looks nice, but he can also be inaccurate with it, as against McCloskey, and it sure didn’t prove to be a very reliable weapon for keeping Maidana on the outside.
People may view Pacquiao as similarly too flawed against Floyd, but even though he’s smaller than Khan I think his power is more likely to be an equalizer in that match-up.
I think Paquiao would be a more exciting fight. Boxer vs Volume puncher that would be a good chess match to see who can press their will on the other. I favor Mayweather but Manny has foot work that’s like no other boxer. Khan is a boxer with no defense at all!!! i think Mayweather is still fast enough to blunt Khan’s offense n score points. Not enough ring I.Q. at this point in his career and think he’s buying into the hype that Mayweather can’t punch. If Mayweather sits down on his punches n hits khan i think khan will be on his heels all night cuz Khan still doesn’t have the greatest of chins. If Maidana was half as fast has Khan he would’ve ended that fight. I saw the Judah fight not impressed. Judah has problems with bigger fighters and Khan was attacking I saw plenty of counter punches but Judah can’t pull the trigger anymore.
Floyd has that style like James Degale, who looks like a world beater when someone’s coming at him.
That’s really quite amusing. Ricky Hatton compared Floyd to the mighty James DeGale.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
Like most I’d like to see Pacquiao vs Mayweather. But dont be surprised if we end up with winner of Berto/Ortiz in May
by RRod806 on Nov 22, 2011 8:37 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Pac Man vs Mayweather
I think that after the larger population has seen Pac vs Marquez that his stock has dropped, but to me I think it is the same. The fight was close Marquez had his best game plan and managed to not get hit with a big shot. And this is his 30th plus round with Pacman he knows his style and timing now. PBF wouldn’t have that advantage and he is slowing down as well. And I think the activity and power of Pacman would generate a good fight. After seeing the Marquez fight I think PBF is going to under estamate Manny….and I would take Pacman in the 10th by TKO.
You are forgetting how well Floyd adapts
something Pac seem almost unable to do.
Also JMM frustrated and easily avoided Pac’s punches with effective headmovement, something Floyd does a lot better.
Pac does the same thing he always does in every fight but gets away with it because of his speed.
This is the reason why he has so much problem with counter-punchers.
Floyd has better defense then JMm and is a better counter-puncher along with having a 5 inch reach advantage over Pac.
Floyd has better timing, better reflexes and much faster then JMM.
If JMm can go 2-0-1 against Pac(I would almost give JMM all of the fights) and Morales could beat Pac by using effective counter punching I think one of the best counter-puncher ever could beat Pac.
by Mohammedini Hussein on Nov 22, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
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