Ricky Hatton believes Floyd Mayweather’s September fight against Saul Alvarez will be the toughest of the pound-for-pound king’s career but regardless expects him to secure his latest victory.
The two are to fight for the WBC and WBA light middleweight titles on September 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where Hatton suffered his first defeat as a professional to Mayweather in December 2007.
The fight is only Mayweather’s third in the 154lb division and pits him against his most physically-imposing opponent to date but for all that Hatton believes that that gives Mexico’s Alvarez some advantages ? and it should not be overlooked the fight is scheduled for a catchweight of 152lbs ? he still expects Mayweather to have too much skill for his opponent.
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‘I do think this is Mayweather’s toughest fight,’ Hatton told BoxNation.
‘For someone so young Alvarez is very, very talented. He has youth, power, strength and size on Floyd. Alvarez has had a lot of fights, but not miles on the clock.
‘Despite all that I don’t see Mayweather losing to him. His timing, defence and speed will just be good enough to see him over the finishing line.
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‘The risk against Floyd is that he’s 36-years-old and had a lot of fights against some very good men.
‘He is coming to an age where fighters get beaten, but because of his wonderful defence he can go on longer than most because he doesn’t take stick.’
Alvarez, who incidentally overcame Hatton’s brother Matthew in 2011 and remains undefeated in 43 fights, is widely considered the underdog against Mayweather, who could fight Amir Khan next.
