What does Hatton have to do to beat PBF?

[Words]

Serious question. PBF has looked pretty unbeatable and hasn't shown many weakness thus far in his career. So what tactics does Hatton have to employ to win on december the 8th? Can he win just by pure pressure alone, or does he have to box this guy? Does he try to fight Mayweather in the centre of the ring despite Mayweather's speed, or does he march him and down push him to the ropes risking being countered all night long? Can he take Mayweather's power, coz he's got a pretty good chin but Mayweather can really hit.

My heart says Hatton will win, but my head says never bet against Floyd.

[Rollo]

Hit him.

[MancMexican]

Pressure isnt enough against Floyd, but pressure and excellent footwork will give him problems that few others have before him. Hatton cannot hope to outbox him. His arms are too short and PBF's skills and reflexes are too good. Hatton has to march him down, cleverly cutting off the ring and hammer away at him and hope a couple of bombs get through. Which isnt that likely. Mayweather will make him eat 3 shots before he's in range to throw and if Hatton hasnt worked on his defence we will be on his way to a late stoppage loss. Hatton can take Mayweather's power, but not all night long.

[knockout]

Hit him.:patsch

[knockout]

Hatton should do what he did to Castillo,if he can land that shot.

[gutto]

Hatton needs to be a 110% up for it cutting off the ring and working the body of Floyd. For me it could be just as simple as whose will is the strongest. Who wants it the most? Can Hatton take the punishment he is going to take in order to catch up with Floyd long enough to do any serious damage? Can Hatton sicken Floyd enough to make him trade I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS FIGHT

[knockout]

Hatton needs to be a 110% up for it cutting off the ring and working the body of Floyd. For me it could be just as simple as whose will is the strongest. Who wants it the most? Can Hatton take the punishment he is going to take in order to catch up with Floyd long enough to do any serious damage? Can Hatton sicken Floyd enough to make him trade I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS FIGHTHey dude whats up with the black writing?

[Snakefist]

Hatton should do what he did to Castillo,if he can land that shot.

Pressure pressure pressure and hope that his bread can last the whole way through because he is going to get hit with so many hard uppercuts and right hands. Hatton fights nothing like Castillo, also Castillo in the first fight fought a one handed fighter, going into the 5th round he broke his hand. Remember back then he had big hand problems.

I see this fight playing out like the fight Floyd had with Jesus Chaves who was a good tough fighter back then. He fights more so near Hatton's style and he caught so many uppercuts and right hands.

[africandawg]

Hatton's going to have to go in boots and all--maybe lose a few points for being down and dirty--he must try to breakdown Floyds upper body especially his arms---noways must he plan on the fight going the distance cause he will eat leather until the towel comes in...

[dimi_dinev]

Watch the Castillo vs. Mayweather Jr. fight, you'll see how Castillo managed to build pressure on Mayweather. Building pressure is the only way, I guess, and I think this method would suit Hatton. De La Hoya tried it this way, too, but Mayweather's precision won.

[gutto]

Hey dude whats up with the black writing?

Sorry copied it in from word I AM AT WORK AND THE BOSS IS ABOUT

[Snakefist]

If he keeps pressuring Floyd and make Floyd go to defensive he maybe able to get an lead on points from that alone. But he is going to take so many CLEAN uppercuts and right hands, ones he is not going to see coming when he rushes in.

[Shake]

A net would help.

[Tony Harrison]

Constant pressure and relentless aggression. He has to hurt Floyd early and keep the punishment coming and hope that Floyd cracks under the pressure.

To box PBF is madness. Raw brawling is his only hope. Whether this tactic can be successfully applied when fighting a man as skillful as Floyd Mayweather is debatable but if anyone can do it Hatton is the man.

[knockout]

A net would help.:lol: :lol:

[Words]

Yeah but raw brawling is gonna make it easier for Floyd to get on his bike, pot-shot and counter-punch his way to a UD. If hatton comes screaming in brawling Floyd, in straight lines, not thinking about cutting off the ring or creating angles, then surely all Floyd has to do is pepper him with countersand step off as Hatton's on his way in? Hatton has to be a bit smarter than that to get past Floyd.

[unclepaulie]

Give a cut of his purse to the judges.

[dimi_dinev]

I don't want to start one more pro or contra Mayweather thread. I only want to remind some people of one of the big fights of Mayweather's career (which is forgotten by many), which offers an example of how he can be beaten.

As I mentioned above, watch the Castillo vs. Mayweather fight. Most people who think PBF is unbeatable are under the influence of the great show industry about Mayweather. Those people should watch once again the fight mentioned above, by which Mayweather's big time started - in fact by a scandalous decision. He is certainly not unbeatable (to me, he already has been beaten at least once, by Castillo), he's just the actual boxing star (by which I don't deny his qualities, but he's not the only one who's got big qualities). His mythology is created (cf. Castillo vs. Mayweather) and supported by the boxing industry.

And I'm convinced that, despite Mayweather's excellent defensive and counterpunching abilities, the best and maybe only way to beat him is through constant pressure. That's why I mentioned the Castillo-fight, which gives us an example for a winning strategy against Mayweather (in fact, Mayweather's record should be 37-1, including the fight Mayweather lost against Castillo). In my eyes Hatton is the man to put him under pressure.

[Snakefist]

I don't want to start one more pro or contra Mayweather thread. I only want to remind some people of one of the big fights of Mayweather's career (which is forgotten by many), which offers an example of how he can be beaten.

As I mentioned above, watch the Castillo vs. Mayweather fight. Most people who think PBF is unbeatable are under the influence of the great show industry about Mayweather. Those people should watch once again the fight mentioned above, by which Mayweather's big time started - in fact by a scandalous decision. He is certainly not unbeatable (to me, he already has been beaten at least once, by Castillo), he's just the actual boxing star (by which I don't deny his qualities, but he's not the only one who's got big qualities). His mythology is created (cf. Castillo vs. Mayweather) and supported by the boxing industry.

And I'm convinced that, despite Mayweather's excellent defensive and counterpunching abilities, the best and maybe only way to beat him is through constant pressure. That's why I mentioned the Castillo-fight, which gives us an example for a winning strategy against Mayweather (in fact, Mayweather's record should be 37-1, including the fight Mayweather lost against Castillo). In my eyes Hatton is the man to put him under pressure.


Sorry I have watched that fight like 5 times, Floyd did not lose the first fight to Castillo. The man broke his right hand in the 4th round and what I saw was this, Floyd blocking most of his shots, Castillo to his credit did better then most men against him but he did not win by any means, it could've been close, but he did not win and the second fight he just got blown away. The 1st fight Floyd stayed in the pocket with him and I believe Floyd got the cleaner hits in on the inside. It was a close fight and the right man won that night.

[dimi_dinev]

:think Snakefist, OK, I'll watch the fight again and then, as this is not the right place for this, we'll have to open a new thread for this discussion, as this sort of discussions never end in boxing (which is one of it's greatest charms).:yep

[dimi_dinev]

Snakefist, although, we maybe don't speak of the same bout. Mayweather doesn't hurt his hand in this fight, but against Carlos Hernandez. I'm talking of the fight from 2002-04-20, Mayweather with yellow/white trunks.

[john b]

He needs to do what he did to KT. Because their his now way pbf hits harder than KT.

[rydersonthestorm]

He needs to get wwf on him wrestle him and fight dirty, he needs to hit and old and put pressure on floyd, he needs to go to the body and wear him out. If he tries to box floyd he loses 100% if he can get the fight into a brawl without being dq'ed or getting major deductions from the ref he has a great shot.

[Hadrian]

The problem with the "pressure" argument (which everyone seems to make) is that Hatton is pretty easy to hit when he comes in. Caastillo was not. Hatton is very obvious when he is about to make his little charges and even drops his hands a lot as he dips to come forward-suicide against a man as fast, accurate and aware as Mayweather. Floyd is the single most accurate puncher I have ever seen in boxing. Castillo did pressure Floyd, but that was a younger Floyd-remember he's gotten a LOT of confidence since then: Judah, Baldomir, De La Hoya and a demolition of Gatti. i think hatton has very little chance in this fight. I think his only chance is NOT Castillos pressure and cut of the ring approach, but a to turn it into a game of elbows, forearms, head "bumping" and wrestling, use his strength to wear down Mayweather and frustrate him, get him all flustered and perhaps in the later rounds start to land some bigger shots...but I honestly don't see him being able to catch up with floyd early enough to do this. And the fight is in Vegas so he will not be able to count on a ref letting him get away with this stuff-a la Tszyu-we'll see.

[Hadrian]

I think this fight will be less close than people imagine-I see a totally dominant performance by Floyd. I hope this gets some of the nay sayers off his back. I think he is a spoiled childish brat who needs to grow up. i also do not think he is as good as SRR who had one punch knockout power in both hands and fought close to 200 professional fights over 25 years. But I DO think he is vastly under appreciated is a top 10 or certainly 20 all timer who has fought many great fighters and won all of them. He also diisplays some of the most unique and skilled tecnique ever displayed and is amazingly cool headed while doing it. He is a pheenominal, all time great who has been totaly underappreciated by the public...even if he is an annoying pain in the ass!

[dimi_dinev]

Hadrian, I guess you're right, and this is really gonna be a tough fight for Hatton, but making pressure on Mayweather is certainly the better way than not making pressure. There is no universal strategy of course.

[Hadrian]

Oh yeah and all of you who say Mayweathers oposition is questionable and he didn't "clean out" divisions" He beat: Osar De La Hoya, Jose Louis Castillo 2x, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Chop-chop Corley, Jesus Chavez, Diego Corralles, Carlos Hernandez, Sharba Mitchel, Genero Hernandez etc. ect. While some of these guys were past their best some of them were totaly at their peak-Corrales was 33-0 with like 29kos. I'd say at least haf were in their prime window of performance. So give the brat a break-he is number one in this era and BY A LOT.

[FlatNose]

Easier said than done, but Hatton has to limit Floyds movement by cutting off the ring, not following him.With Floyd on the ropes Hatton has to employ his own footwork, ever so subtlely , stepping to the left or right to keep Mayweather from sliding away.But thats only half the battle, because Floyd has the reflexes to beat Hatton to the punch even while they fight on the inside.Floyds been hit just as hard as Hatton could hit him , maybe even harder, so one big shot won't turn it around.The only chance Ricky has is if he can grind Floyd down, but Mayweather hasn't shown the vulnerability to slow as the fight progresses, in fact its Pretty Boy who usually finishes stronger.I guess what i'm saying is that i'm not sure Hatton has what it takes to beat Floyd in a month of Sundays.

[SteveO]

Hatton has to be in peak physical condition, maybe better than Floyd or as good so he can chase him all night long. He's going to be eating shots trying to get close and he has to be prepared for it. Mentally, I think Hatton needs to be prepared that he's going to look bad against Floyd.

Might be like Marciano-Walcott. Just keep coming forward, eating some shots for every one landed, and score a come from behind KO late.

All of this is easier said than done, of course. Always looks good on paper.

[achillesthegreat]

Find religion because only God has a chance of helping him :)

[Dorfmeister]

Serious answer. Floyd has never fought a pound for pound quality guy like Hatton (no, Oscar does not count), and has looked at his most vulnerable in the face of determined pressure. Although he has a reputation for adapting in the Ring, the only two fighters considered to be even slightly competitive in the last 5 years (Oscar and Judah) did indeed pose him considerable problems, even though arguably neither of them were genuine top 5 fighters in their division at the time.

In terms of styles, they both have things going for them. The slick boxer versus pressure fighter is the classic match ( Brawl In Montreal with the pressure fighter Duran beating the slick boxer Ray Leonard), and they both do what they do well. Floyd doesn't have a hope in hell of frustrating, intimidating or confusing Hatton. Ricky is too focused for that, and besides, he has plenty of skills himself, when he uses them. He's not just a one dimensional fighter.

Floyd can stop him getting set though. They both use angles well, but if Floyd can be the one who is one step ahead and make Ricky react to him, then I have seen Hatton put out of position before. His feet can get behind him and his leverage is reduced.

On the other hand, if Hatton can cut the ring off, he'll take shots coming in happily in order to get close to Floyd and nail him with far greater leverage than Oscar did. He had to come in through Tszyu's right hand to get in position, and showed a good command of distance, and a good understanding of good positioning.

Floyd is elusive, of course, but he's not a great improvisor. He often takes a few rounds to look good while he tries to figure out his foe. If Hatton can press hard enough and be even moderately effective, it might be hard for Floyd to get a rhythm. I believe Ricky has a good game plan cause Floyd has fought the exact same way in his last two fights and is not likely to change from that pattern...

[duran83]

Serious question. PBF has looked pretty unbeatable and hasn't shown many weakness thus far in his career. So what tactics does Hatton have to employ to win on december the 8th? Can he win just by pure pressure alone, or does he have to box this guy? Does he try to fight Mayweather in the centre of the ring despite Mayweather's speed, or does he march him and down push him to the ropes risking being countered all night long? Can he take Mayweather's power, coz he's got a pretty good chin but Mayweather can really hit.

My heart says Hatton will win, but my head says never bet against Floyd.

Pretty unbeatable?? His last fight he won a close split decision?? Yes looked unbeatable in that fight :roll:

[Hadrian]

the problem with the walcott-marciano parallel is that the rock had a devasting punch he could hope to end it with-RH does not-He has decent power...but a one puch jaw crusher he aint

[Hadrian]

dorfmeister raises an intersting and subtle point: rythm. I think Floyd is a guy who is a genius at getting inside another guys timing and rythm-so if ricky can break that up it might be a card to play-more reason for RH to wrestle and elbow and fight ugly-there is very little rythm that is established in that kind of fight.

[Drofrah]

He will need to do what he did to Tszyu and Castillo but with more lateral movement. He needs to be able to get by the shots PBF will throw to stop him getting close. If he can keep the pressure he did against Tszyu and try and throw cleverly he stands a good chance

[chesh]

I don't want to start one more pro or contra Mayweather thread. I only want to remind some people of one of the big fights of Mayweather's career (which is forgotten by many), which offers an example of how he can be beaten.

As I mentioned above, watch the Castillo vs. Mayweather fight. Most people who think PBF is unbeatable are under the influence of the great show industry about Mayweather. Those people should watch once again the fight mentioned above, by which Mayweather's big time started - in fact by a scandalous decision. He is certainly not unbeatable (to me, he already has been beaten at least once, by Castillo), he's just the actual boxing star (by which I don't deny his qualities, but he's not the only one who's got big qualities). His mythology is created (cf. Castillo vs. Mayweather) and supported by the boxing industry.

And I'm convinced that, despite Mayweather's excellent defensive and counterpunching abilities, the best and maybe only way to beat him is through constant pressure. That's why I mentioned the Castillo-fight, which gives us an example for a winning strategy against Mayweather (in fact, Mayweather's record should be 37-1, including the fight Mayweather lost against Castillo). In my eyes Hatton is the man to put him under pressure.

Great post! I agree, Hatton is Castillo with a bit extra. By that I mean a little more speed, a little more relentlessness and a little more power. This spells Mayweather's worst nightmare.

[dimi_dinev]

chesh, 'nightmare' sounds a little exxagerated, let's say 'trouble'.

Regards ;)

[BewareofDawg]

Stick and Move, outbox him. This will catch Mayweather off guard. :yep

[Stinky gloves]

shot in the rib, hot at the had, hot in the rib, shot at the head .....

[koko of phil]

Don't make Floyd run.

[IMTKO2005]

I like both, Hatton has nothing. I thin he is the lcoses thing to beat Mayweather, but a little inferior.

[McGrain]

He shold give up the left hook to the head. That's his wildest punch and it will get him countered. He also has to limit the jab i'm afraid.

Bodypunching is at a premium, with the occasional right hand over the top. This should be his game-plan punch wise for 8 or 9 rounds in my opinion, and they can employ the hook and go head-hunting late depending on the score-cards and PBF's condition.

Pressure, but it needs to be educated early. Marching is fine but for nine rounds he needs to be making his man miss aswell.

From around 9 on, make it war. Keep on the ref's right side up until then. Be aware of counter-puncing up until then. If Hatton wants it he needs to go all out but that shouldn't be from round 1.

He needs to hold 5% in reserve.

[C Money]

I know what he needs to be doing RIGHT NOW!!! Training his friggin AZZ OFF and getting the weight off right:yep It will take great effort, a conditioned volume attack, and tenacity to get the job done.

Floyd says he's coming to KO:D Bet that plan switches to back up option, when he hits reality. :hey

No matter what, this is Hatton's chance!! He's gotta give "The Old "110%", be sharp, and ready. Gotta be ready for inside and outside vs Floyd. If Ricky can apply effective pressure? Its a fight! Hatton does posess a good inside game.


If Hatton wins? He'll make the nest egg to retire on in the rematch. They'll make enough $$$$$$$$$ this time:good

[SteveO]

Stick and Move, outbox him. This will catch Mayweather off guard. :yep

If I thought it could be done, I would advise this as well. In addition to being a huge style adjustment for Hatton, I don't think Floyd could be outboxed except by someone like maybe Mosley.

[EL BULLY]

Bring his A game.

His style can give anyone trouble, think otherwise? you're deluded.

Floyd is going to be hard to drag into the trenches so calculated and controlled pressure is the key.

Tzsyu couldn't KO Hatton (even if you think KT was over the hill the last thing to go is the punch and he hit Hatton flush plenty and he never wobbled) so it is very likley to go the distance (unless Hatton taps that ribcage pretty hard).

I think Floyd trumps Hatton on skill and speed.
Hatton trumps Floyd on stamina and drive. (most people confuse this with heart) They both have no obvious deffinciencies in chin, heart and dedication. Two world class guys at the top of their game.

I pick Hatton because he can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' and Floyds hands are fucked. Hitting a relentless bone headed buzzsaw in the head for 12 rounds is the last thing you want when your hands are busted up.

Hatton SD.

[Shane]

Smother, the shit out of him make him fight every minute of every round he needs to have a very high workrate and flurry like a madman.

[Illstate]

Smother, the shit out of him make him fight every minute of every round he needs to have a very high workrate and flurry like a madman.The problem with that is. One of Floyds many strengths is his stamina. So a fight like that would probably have Hatton wearing out in the later rounds. THen it's Floyd taking over as usual. I think Hatton just has to not let any one pace get set. Keep it ugly not much boxing, just shoving, slugging, wrestling, bodying.
that's how he can negate the skill.

[Words]

I cant see Hatton wearing out before Floyd. Mayweather usually fights at a measured pace, whereas Hatton is just relentless.

I also think that Hatton's boxing skill is being underrated here. He's got quick hands and superb footwork. Dont write this guy off as a one-dimensional brawler, he's not. He's hard to counter because of the volume of punches he throws, he creates angles and doesn't attack in straight lines, he also has good head-movement and isnt as easy to hit as some here think. He also wont be thrown off his game plan by having to take one or two shots on the way in, so if Floyd plans on fighting this fight by being negative and pot-shotting he might be in trouble because that will not deter Hatton at all. At some point Floyd needs to trade and stop Ricky in his tracks, which he is capable of doing because Floyd is a great offensive fighter when he feels the need to be, but it'll mean taking a risk, coming out of his comfort zone and putting it on the line instead of coasting through rounds like he has done against lesser opponents.

It is going to be a great fight, I really cant wait.

[Shane]

Take a page out of Tito and sneak in a brass knuckle.

Stupid... try again.

[Shane]

Double wrap his hands illegally like Tito, and forget the brass knuckle.

Better but still...

[Ring Master]

Get longer arms and a piston like jab, grow about 5 inches and take care of his body while not training.