The reviews continue to come in and they are mixed at best. No doubt Ricky Hatton-Juan Lazcano was a box office success; 56,000 in the stands at the City of Manchester Stadium attest to that. In spots, it was even aesthetic success with the sort of solid action and heavy hitting that brings viewers back for more.
In competitive terms, it was not as successful. The in and outs of the bout itself were covered previously; now we look at the fallout. Even winning 117-111 on this scribes card, the appearance of vulnerability in Hatton (44-1, 31 KO) was obvious and raises the question of just who will be the man to knock him off his as the Jr. Welterweight champion of the world. It?s a question that will only build as he heads towards his fifth title defense.
On this day, in this 140 lb. weight class, there are four titlists who jump to the surface and one wild card lurking just below. The possibility of an unwarranted rematch, Mayweather Beats Hatton Worse if you will, might answer the question of where Hatton?s next certain loss can come from. Since that fight will likely comes at 147 lbs., if it comes at all, it does nothing to address the title Hatton wears.
What of that title? Who is likely to get a shot? Who is best positioned to capitalize? And who gives Hatton the best chance at building his esteem amongst the hardcore Boxing faithful?
Most Likely Challenger
Paulie Malignaggi: It begins with Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KO, IBF titlist) because he is the most obvious. The whole point of Malignaggi?s rematch with Lovemore N?Dou was to create the groundwork for a Hatton-Malignaggi showdown. Don?t let the Hair Affair (if you don?t get the reference, see the fight) fool. Malignaggi has a tricky style. With focus, he can be hell for Hatton.
Don?t believe it? Think back to 2006 and ask aloud what Miguel Cotto might say. Prior to stepping up to Welterweight, Cotto had few tough nights in his career; Malignaggi supplied one of them. Yes, Paulie left the ring with his face swollen in defeat, but he?d won his share of rounds along the way. Some knowledgeable pundits scored as many as five in the Brooklyn products favor.
Lacking power, Malignaggi would be at distinct disadvantage to Hatton?s mauling style. That doesn?t mean he can?t deal with it. The N?Dou rematch featured its share of clinches as well but Malignaggi did enough punching in between to carry the day. He?d have a sizable speed advantage over Hatton that would serve him well if he could get off first when the clinches end. The only impediment to this fight happening could be the right hand injury claims of Malignaggi; if he needs substantive recovery time, the Hatton opportunity could go elsewhere.
The Pool of Titlists
If it does go elsewhere, the most sensible replacement would probably come from the pool of remaining alphabelt titlists at 140. The fighter who may be in the best position to get the call could be young Timothy Bradley (22-0, 11 KO, WBC) of Palm Springs, California. Why? Coming off of a win against Hatton?s fellow Brit Junior Witter a couple weeks back, Bradley marries ticket-sellable familiarity with the British fanbase to a chance at one-upsmanship. After all the years of Witter claiming (with some validity) that Hatton ducked him, beating Witter?s conqueror would be a feather in Hatton?s cap. Bradley?s quality guest-host spot last week on ESPN2?s Friday Night Fights had to build his name a bit too. The downside though is that Bradley has the sort of speed that could catch Hatton blind, much the way Lazcano did but more effectively and with greater possibility of lethal follow-up flurries. In other words, he might be too dangerous. That he is untested beyond Witter at the world-class level also makes him a danger in that not enough is known, pro or con, about Bradley?s real depth as a fighter.
That would leave two other titlists, both of whom would seem sketchy as strong possibilities for securing time with Hatton. Of the remaining it is the Ukraine?s Andreas Kotelnik (29-2-1, 13 KO, WBA) who can at least claim some of Bradely?s positives. Three of his last seven have been in the U.K., two against natives with a close loss to Witter and thrilling stoppage win this past March against Gavin Rees for the belt he holds. Kotelnik is a seasoned pro with deep amateur credentials. Of all the titlists, he would be the best betting chance at an upset and new champ. He?s not a big puncher though and that might make it worth the risk.
The least likely to be chosen, especially after Lazacno had Hatton teetering last Saturday, is Colombia?s Ricardo Torres (32-1, 28 KO, WBO). Look at his record for clues as to why. Torres is not a skill fighter, but he can crack like hell as evidenced in his dropping Miguel Cotto a few years back and his late stoppage win over the crafty Kendall Holt. Hatton?s chin is attached to a body printing cash these days and good sense says not to play with grenades next to an ATM machine. It?s too bad though; Torres would likely create the most fan-friendly action fight of the bunch.
If Malignaggi is unavailable due to his injury, there is no guarantee that Hatton takes on any other titlists, particularly if the real plan is to get to that second payday with Floyd Mayweather. Let?s say for fun that, sans Maliganggi, Hatton avoids any serious contenders at 140 in the immediate future. That doesn?t mean he might not take an enriching battler from below. Let?s call it?
High Paying Redemption
Hatton shouldn?t be on anyone?s pound-for-pound list right now, and that was true even before he fought Mayweather. That?s not an insult or sin; it?s a credit to how talented much of Boxing is right now. However, if the goal is a second loss to Mayweather and Malignaggi isn?t available, then looking for a winnable fight against a man with elite credentials wouldn?t hurt. Mayweather?s stiffest competition for the mythical title of ?best fighter? blah blah blah is World Jr. Lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KO) and Hatton-Pacquiao has already had its whispers.
I wrote earlier this year in a piece titled ?Boxing History or Mismatch? (http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=11974) that such a fight is probably a fool?s errand for Pacquiao. The natural size difference involved in Hatton facing a man who once was the World Flyweight (112 lb.) champion still makes it a tough mountain to scale.
Yet after seeing Hatton rocked by Lazcano, and appearing to slow regressively each time he squeezes himself down to scale, convictions about the outcome of a Hatton-Pacquiao fight have been budged. A better idea of how Pacquiao handles another move up will come when he faces WBC Lightweight titlist David Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KO) on June 28. If Pacquiao?s power and speed carry to 135 lbs., then the question of another five pounds will be realistic and palpable. Pacquiao carries more speed and power than Lazcano and Hatton-Pacquiao has box-office bonanza written all over it. Whether Team Pacquiao would think the juice is worth the squeeze, particularly with the possibility of lucrative Lightweight fights with the not getting any younger Juan Manuel Marquez and reigning champion Joel Casamayor possible, is the elephant in the room.
No matter what direction he goes, Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton remains a man with a target on his back for any fighter looking to have his title or the riches that come with facing him. Jr. Welterweight is far from Boxing?s premiere class today, but that doesn?t mean it lacks obstacles for a champion that seems closer to his end than his prime.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at [email protected]
