Boxing has always been one of my favorite combat sports, and for a time I was of the opinion that the heavyweights were the ones to watch-out for. Over the last few years however, my opinion regarding this has been drastically changed.
Of the 18 weight divisions from strawweight to heavyweight there is very little doubt in my mind now, that the best "bang for the buck" exists in the welterweight division.
It now appears that there is more blood, sweat and tears in the 140-147 pound weight-class than all the heavyweight tonnage combined. The welters have continually shown that they are the hardest punchers, the slickest boxers, and -pound for pound -they are the best in the world.
Some the fighters names of which I speak are, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Shane Mosely, Antonio Margarito, Zab Judah, and Kermit Cintron.
Ricky "the hit-man" Hatton is a Junior Welterweight Champion Boxer, but he's also a man with a rare mental toughness that's only found in the will power of long distance marathon runners, or the courage of para-troopers, and the survival instincts POW's.
Ricky Hattons opponent-now tentatively set for a may 2nd showdown-is none other than Philippino superstar Manny"pacman" Pacquiao, who is nearing sainthood in his home country and is Ring Magazines fighter of the year for the 2nd. time in three years.
These two fighters guarantee to produce the type of fireworks that are only seen on Canada Day, and 4th of July celebrations in the united states, the highly exposive kind.
May and June are the most beautiful months of the year and bring forth thoughts of rebirth, and floral weddings; but this May 2nd, there is a marriage of the fistic variety that that was born deep down in the trenches of a pugilistic hell.
These two welterweight warriors are both coming off great wins; Hatton over Paulie Mallignaggi and the "pacmans" outstanding win over the "Golden boy" of boxing, Oscar De La Hoya. Manny Pacquiao secured his legacy as a future Hall Of Famer and pound-for-pound best in the world by moving up 2 weight classes to meet Oscar De La Hoya in a head-on collision.
Manny Pacquiao looked terrific during this fight, and to be honest, Oscar looked like an old-shop worn-fighter with dulling reflexes who would be serving his family, fans, and the rest of boxing world a great service by hanging up his gloves for good.
My prediction for this May 2nd slug-fest between the "pacman" and the "hit-man" is a grueling 12 round war; the kind of war, which hasn't been seen since 1954 when Jake Lamotta-The Raging Bull-lost a split decision to Ray Robinson at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The key to victory here will be an over looked one, Floyd Mayweather Sr vs Freddie Roach.
Look for Ricky the "hitman" to come away victorious and recapture the fame and glory that eluded him in the Mayweather fight, after that, I'm looking for Hatton to try and lure Mayweather out of retirement for another super-fight, only this time it will be held on English soil.
If Ricky Hatton goes on to win his next two fights against Pacquiao and possibly little Floyd Mayweather, he will go down in history as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers that ever lived, and then there truely will be "only one Ricky Hatton."
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/109345-pacquiao-vs-hatton-will-may-2nd-be-judgement-day
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Sunday, January 11, 2009
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1 comment:
Totally agree about this era at 140/147- esepcially the welters. Its almost a second golden age (the first being the late 70s/early 80s--- Leonard, Hearns, Duran, Benitez, Cuevas). The only thing is, a Pac-man/Hatton fight, as good as it may be, still has the "novelty act" feeling about it (the De le Hoya fight- also what I would call a "novelty act"-- proved to be a a colossal disappointment. As was Hopkins/Pavlik (although I recognize that's a different division entirely)). Let the "true" 140's and 147's sort things out amongst themselves--- there's plenty a great fights to made amongst all the names you mentioned. Margarito has almost gone through them all-- and even if lost to Paul Williams, who lost to Quintana, who lost to Cotto, who lost to Margarito. PLus, as you note, you also have the always dangerous Cintron (who has only lost to Margarito-- I don't consider the second loss (which was a war) a disgrace by any means), Clottey (who Margo couldn't KO), Berto etc. Just my personal wish-- but I want to see them sort themselves out more than I want to see a Hatton/Pac man match up at the present time.
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