Boxing in 2009

I agree to many faded legends still fighting. Especially Audley, the man has achieved enough to be remembered and should hang up his gloves.

Just because the 1st Calzaghe vs Popkins fight was a stinker doesn't neccessarily mean a 2nd would be, both fighters were too hesitant and gave each other too much respect, the 2nd I feel would be a real ding-dong grudge match,...anyway I quite fancy listening to BHops pre-fight crazy talk again & a trip to Vegas is always fun.

Fingers crossed.

Cheers for the heads up on the Margarito fight Dirsy. The match up between him and Cotto last year was my favourite for sure. I think they should test Margarito's chin to see what its made of because it seems to be harder than any material ever found on this earth!

I'd agree its time to get rid of the old like Holyfield and Jones Jr. People complain there aren't enough big names left in the sport but maybe a part of that is that they don't get chances because the older guys are still being thrown lifelines. Personally I thought Holyfield beat Valuev but it was hardly convincing and was one of the worst fights of the year. Its now just sad to see him continuing and risking serious damage. The fact he is still getting title shots shows how poor the heavyweight division is. As for Audley the less said the better. He got his money from the bbc for his first few fights but you can tell the guy is scared stiff in the ring and if you want to win a world title you've got to be prepared to take a couple of hits which he isn't.

As far as the Heavyweight division goes can you see any fighters coming through who will threaten the Klitchko brothers? What about Povetkin how do you rate his chances? I'm looking forward to the Haye fight but I think Vitali is the favourite, only just though and it'll be interesting to see what happens there.

Can't believe Hatton's having another Las Vegas showdown. Its his diehard fans I really feel for there. I know they don't have to go and watch him but the lure is sometimes too much for these people. Hopefully it'll be his last big show over there though and his last few fights he can have back in the UK and show his fans what they've been missing again. Pacman will have too much for him though for sure, don't see much chance at all for Hatton in that one. Pacman's too quick and adapts too well so can handle pretty much any style put in front of him now.

Anyway I've rambled on enough for now, time to get back to pretending to work!

Look forward to your boxing and cricket coverage in the up coming year Mr Dirs, especially with the Ashes returning in the Summer and thanks for keeping things entertaining in 2008. Taxpayer's money well spent mate!

David Haye v Vitali Klitschko is my fight of the coming year.

Haye is as exciting a heavyweight i have seen, and Klitschko the exact polar-extreme, great match up for the purists. Unfortunately i think Vitali will prevail but it'll make good viewing.

I agree wholeheartedly with the guys above, except for however, Audley doing enough to be remembered. As an amateur he won olympic gold, fair play! He should have stopped there, as a pro he will be remembered as a joke making misguided decisions here, there and everywhere. Here's hoping he can go out on a win against a 'name' can't think who'd want him, maybe Evander... maybe not!!

Las Vegas is a no brainer, Hatton has nothing to prove to the adoring British public but has everything to prove to the American fight fans who still regard him as a clumsy slugger. If Hatton is to gain any credibility in the states, he has to fight and win convincingly in Vegas against the calibre of opponents like pac man. Hatton really hasn't beaten anyone apart from nobodys and has beens that have either been fighting for money out of desperation (Castillo) or old fighters like Costa Tyzu or chumps like Paulie Malignaggie.

I think your prediction of a points win for pac man is a little flattering, Hatton still moves in straight lines and is very easy to hit - pacman will stop Hatton mid fight due to a badly cut up face. It's a shame that Hatton didn't move to a decent trainer 5 years ago, this could have moulded him into a better boxer and given him a chance of being great.

Hopkins v Calzaghe was one of the biggest anti-climaxes. Hopkins won't fight Calzaghe any differently to the 1st fight i.e. spoil, it'd be another bore fest. Let him take on Chad Dawson and follow Joe into retirement.

As for Hatton v Pacman. HBO pull all the strings, both fighters are with promoters tied in with HBO, HBO will want the fight in Vegas if they're to bankroll it. Also, don't the casinos also pay a fair bit of dollar to have it there? As much as we'd all love to see a superfight at Wembley it isn't going to happen unfortunately.

Nice to see you backing your own boys as well Ben! The Haye fight i really couldn't call, the Hatton fight i struggle to understand how a little flyweight can step up and take on the best light-welter there is and expect to be odds-on favourite? Yes he beat a past it DLH, but a loss to a fighter almost past his peak (Morales) and losing arguably twice to Marquez at much lighter weights doesn't bode well going up against Hatton, does it?

Here’s hoping your first two predictions are correct, as Cotto v Margarito II would again as in 2008 be a highlight of 2009. As for Hatton V Pacquiao, everyone one will expect a Pacquiao win. I’m a massive Pacquiao fan and will expect a Pacquiao win, but don’t be afraid to have a small punt on Rickey instead of a pound on the lottery, he could just prove a few people wrong, one thing is for sure, it will be a fantastic fight.

I have to disagree with you on being excited about seeing the Olympians in action! Harrison and Khan have made a very nice princely sum from boxing, with Harrison being the biggest British boxing bum in my lifetime and Kahn still yet to prove his worth, now almost 4 years as a pro! So I wish our Olympians all the best, but prove yourself, then come back to me, rather than making big money off the back of there Olympian status, subjecting us to just watching them bowl over hand picked bums, that I see as fixed fights, that amounts to no better then a fighter that is paid to take a dive!

It is a bit of a shame that Hatton sounds as if he'll be fighting in Vegas again. I'd love to see a genuine 'internationally recognised' super fight here in the UK but there have been few if any fought here in my lifetime (Bruno v Lewis?).

To counter my own view, Calzaghe was / is criticised having fought in the UK for much of his career so you can hardly blame Hatton and his team.

The unfortunate truth is that the States seem to have a control over boxing. TV companies determine which fighters fight each other, and American journalists refuse to give respect to fighters beyond the USA and South America. American promoters are happy to see their fighters pick up huge purses for 'domestic' matches with recognisable faces rather than risk it against dangerous Europeans. Calzaghe, Kessler, Eubank, Collins all perhaps missed mega fights for this reason.

It's not so much being partisan, just i can't find a reason not to back Hatton really.

Anyway Ben, since you've mentioned Vitali K in your blog i'm fully expecting his lovechild IronDirkDiggler to make a re-appearance, probably this time to declare his undying love for the big man.

Anyway, off to write to the PM and see if he'll charter 20 jumbo's to take us all over to Vegas.. He seems to be throwing money at everything else so will be worth a cheeky letter.

If what i've heard (and it may be speculation) is correct about Gavin's withdrawal from the Olympics i wouldn't hold my breath about him.

I agree with ste_laffo, too many Olympians spend the first years of there careers fighting bums, they didn't fight bums in the Olympic finals so let them get down to business and we'll see how good they are... i don't care much for 'undefeated' records, just good boxing.

You usually talk 100% sense Ben. But Chad Dawson a more worthy oponent than Hopkins? - I don't think so. I had the first fight an even draw and many more people thought Hopkins won. Surely if Calzaghe wants to cement his place in history as one of the all-time greats this fight needs to happen again.

Good stuff Dirsy. I'd add Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis to the list of boxers I don't want to see again this year. legends the pair of them and let's keep it that way.

I'd like to see Haye have one more fight at Heavy before Klitscho, but clearly that's not going to happen. Haye can win, because Klitscho may not land a punch. It's good to see a bit of excitement back in the Heavyweights though.

One more Brit prediction. Amir Khan to be World Champ by the end of the year. The loss could well have been the best thing to happen to him.

Why no mention of Darren Sutherland?

Huge following, lots of charisma, power, a well-rounded individual and a style ready-made for the pros - yes, he's the opposite of James Degale!

I predict egg on Warren's face with the three Olympians, who seem to be celebrating like they've won world titles already.

I think this could be Froch's year and I like Victor Ortiz to make it big too - reminds me of a young, prime Fernando Vargas.

Kell Brook is my fighter to watch in 2009.

I'm looking forward to more from the Cobra Carl Froch this year and I really hope that Hatton-Pacquiao takes place in the UK but I don't count on it.

ben dirs, re you comment about go on mogs comment!

hopkins has proven that he is still class act doesnt fight the same way against every opponent because "he's old and has too"- did you see the kelly pavlik fight?

i think that fight showed that hopkins is still versatile and a quality opponent, and maybe even potential champion.

HATTON V PAC-MAN HAS TO BE VEGAS!!!

why would it be better for the fight to be in London????

Being a part of the Hatton barmy army and going out to vegas in november to see him win, why do we want to go to wembley?

VEGAS OF WEMBLEY ????

erm.....Vegas please!

a wet london in may with no bars around near the stadium plus the fight wouldnt start until 1am

or a weekend out in Vegas getting bang on it!!!!


VIVA LAS VEGAS

I also think it makes more sense for Hatton to fight Pac in the UK. It would be more of an event. Also, as someone who looks forward to the fight but thinks Pac should be the favorite, giving Hatton the home crowd should make it that much better.

My main concern is that it happens, and isn't Hatton Mayweather again. Hatton Pac has it all in terms of interest, action and excitement.

Haye Klitschko is the other (UK-related) big fight to look forward to, I think. Klitschko has every edge but one on paper. The fact remains that Haye is talented, exciting, fast and 29 facing an injury-prone 38 year old. As with Hatton vs. Tzsyu, every round he lasts improves his chances. I'm skeptical of Haye's ability to make the adjustments he needs to make it a fight of movement. It remains the most exciting prospective heavyweight matchup in some time.

DrRichie - your suggest on Amir Khan world champion next year, do you really he is ready to beat Jaun Manuel Marquez? To be honest he would be lucky to beat anyone in the top 5 world lightweight ranking at present!

To win the british title would be an achivement, so why dosn't he concentrate on this, or does Frank Warren see to many dangerous domestic opponents, so is just fast tracking him to on hype to money making world title fights?

Hi Ben, first timer on here. I read with interest your dream fights for next year. Kessler would dispatch Froch inside the distance - he always looks a huge super middle to me. Froch IMO will come up short against genuine world class operators. Despite his age and lack of power Joe would school Froch. Whatever you say about RJJ and Bhop they are still a level or 2 above Froch who will only remain champ if he picks easier defences at home . At genuine world level he will always come up slightly short IMO.
Margarito v Cotto would be a great rematch- just wonder how Cotto would feel about it- he looked a broken man when he got stopped- it will be a real test of his mental strength- can only see the same outcome though. Margarito looks less convincng against guys fighting on the outside, a foreign language to a come forward guy like Cotto.
As for Hatton Pac-man- surely the best match up of the year, cant really judge Manny on the Oscar performance- he did what he had to do but was made to look good by a guy who was swimming in treacle. Oscar will fight again IMO simply because he will not want that on record as his last fight a truly dreadful performance- he will convince himself that he will be stronger with some more weight- really hope he doesnt but his pride is dented bigtime. Hatton Pacquiao is tough to call. Hatton would need to bring good movement and genuine intensity to match Pacman. Hatton looks to have made some improvements under Mayweatherr but you cant really judge Hatton on the Malignanni perfomance- Paulie was hugely overhyped and looked a very limited fighter indeed.

You have to give credit to David Haye for showing some balls , but for crying out loud hold out for the other brother, Vitali may be a bit pedestrian but his chin is granite Wlad would just try and jab Hayes head off and would run scared all night- Haye would beat Wlad IMO because he is so chinny- haye hits nearley as hard as Corrie Sanders and is about 10 times quicker I reckon. What will happen to Haye once he has thrown his best at Vitali and he is still there- plan B is not something he relies on an whole lot. I think Vitali will stop haye mid to late maybe 8th round. haye still hasnt taken a clean punch from a big heavyweight - the touchdown against Barrett looked like a glancing blow (Haye was a little off balance as well I guess). Exciting fight though and the only fight here that is actually signed and sealed i think.
I'm sure PBF will want the winner of the Hatton Pacman fight. Whoever wins that one I think PBF should go fight in London or Manilla. If he could win in either location he could be regarded as a true all time legend. Fraudley as flyweight champ is more likley though IMVHO

I like Hatton a lot but can't help thinking he's the best of an anverage bunch at light welterweight. He's not big enough to fight at welterweight. He was lucky to beat Collazzo and got schooled by Mayweather. I hear the complaints about Joe Cortez a lot from that fight but I heard someone say Hatton would've lost that fight even if his Dad had reffed it. In my opinion anyone who thinks Hatton will beat Pacquiao doesn't understand boxing. The way Pacquiao moves and the power he generates will be too much for Hatton. I'd love to see him beat Manny but credit where it's due where Pacquiao is concerned. Another fighter we'll hear more about in '09 is Andre Berto. Not a huge name unless you're into boxing but he'll be a much bigger name this time next year.

If he was to fight again, and I for one am nor sure he will, I personally would love to see Calzaghe vs Dawson. I cannot see what is in it for Joe to fight Hopkins again, he has already beaten him, and if he was to beat him again the question of age would of course be an issue. Last year Calzaghe beat two of the greats. I know in the American press at least Dawson is rated very very highly, and indeed he is a tall and dangerous Southpaw. It would be a fitting end for Calzaghe to beat the young pretender and as Dawson is willing to fight in Wales, would be in front of his own crowd as well.

I have to say in the case of Hatton, I agree somewhat with jimmy_villain in that I think if Hatton had moved to a trainer like Floyd Mayweather Sr. earlier things could have been different. I however am not discounting him against Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao will find himself having a much more difficult fight against Hatton then he did againt DLH, and with the improvements Hatton has made since his lose to Mayweather Jnr I think he will be an entirely different prospect.

Khan as world champion by the end of the year? I am not sure if he has it against anyone with a touch of class and a big hit. We will have to wait and see.

Good stuff Benny boy and have to agree with pretty much all your predictions there. Not entirely sure that's happened before....

I never expected Hatton to fight in Britain in all honesty but it didn't stop me hoping. America has been the home of all the big money fight's in recent memory. I think using the recent PPV taking's from 'big' fights last year as a reason to fight in Britain is clutching at straw's frankly. This fight will sell itself, as with the Mayweather fight and no bout last year will even come close. A shame no less, Wembley would have been unbelievable, the crowd would become a third hand for our Hitman.

Despite people contesting Dirsy got to agree with a Pacquiao decision. On a different note and perhaps rather premature but neither boxer should fight Mayweather, the boy is just too good.

As for Haye,well, alot has been said about this one but the boy has got only the slimmest of chances. Dare I say KO within five, strangely however that is by the bye and his importance to the heavyweight division goes way beyond his result's. His presence alone is enough, rather damning of the division though it may be.

The Antonio Margarito v Shane Mosley fight will be a tight one, neither of them will hit the canvas I would be willing to wager on that. A rematch awaits and hopefully another quality fight.

This year should be alot better than last, personally can't see that being too difficult mind.

Agree with your predictions, but that'll not stop me from egging Hatton and Haye on. I think both have an outside chance for an upset.

The reason Haye has a chance is fairly clear, but it's a very slim one in my opinion and I can see Haye being KO'd early on (knocked down at the very least).

As for Hatton I can see a possible upset because Hatton was a visibly improved fighter against Malignaggi, with much greater head movement. Even though De la Hoya was a shadow of his former self, Manny looked awesome, having already proved so in his other fights in 2008.

My fighter to watch next year is Kevin Mitchell. I can't wait to see his next fight and could become a world champion if he has the right team behind him.

I also hope Enzo and the Cobra have good year's.

Good article. I like the point about the Dawson fight for Calzaghe. People think Dawson is not a big enough name either side of the Artlantic, but the fact that you bought his name up and I strongly believe he is the only legitimate contender for Calzaghe proves people do know about him.

Even though Calzaghe has had an amazing career, he is still not rated in the Mayweather, Pacquiao league by the majority of boxing fans due to his lack of superfights. A win over Dawson, who holds victories over Tarver and Johnson, is unbeaten and in his prime, might just be the fight that will cement Joe's legacy even in the eyes of his most ardent doubters. What better way to end his career than in front of 70,000 screaming fans at the Millenium stadium against the only legitmate contender out there?

As for Gilmore United who said, "I agree to many faded legends still fighting. Especially Audley" That has got the be one of the funniest things I have heard. I agree about Holyfield, Jones and De La Hoya, but Audley Harrison a legend? lol

On the Margarito Mosley fight, I have to disagree as I see it as whitewash for Margarito. Mosleys best years are way past him and his best performance came when he admitted to using steroids. Margarito has just come off a knock out win over Cotto, who won with comfort against Mosley. If Margarito uses the same bulldozing style he used against Cotto, it could be a very short night for Mosley. But Margarito was really pumped for the Cotto fight, I hope he carries that intensity into the Mosley fight.

And on Haye, I see him as an enigma, if he can stay modest he will have a great chance of knocking out the Klitschko's, but that's a big IF.

Pacquiao Hatton, what a fight that could be? Pacquiao's class edges it for me.

Overall, another good year for boxing, 2nd in a row, and hopefully an even better one in 2009!

Another first timer joining the ranks.

I think a Cobra vs Kessler surely has the makings of Fight of the Year. Froch suprised me and despite myself, I found a previously missing admiration for the man's intensity and ability to trade and THAT chin...

Hatton vs Pac - I fear another day at school for Hatton. He has his level, it just simply isn't close enough to Pound for Pound Kings such as Mayweather and Pac; which incidentally is surely THE sought after match up for any boxing fan.

Haye definitely has rekindled interest in the division but I rate his chances as slim against the giant.

I can't see Cotto coming to terms with what he found out about himself, but if he does, that will be a great rematch. I can;t see Mosley standing in the way.

Khan for world champion....mmm....not convinced....and FINALLY.....PLEASE no more fraudley....enough's enough.

Why do HBO not want a Froch/Taylor fight?

Here's a prediction for this year: People will finally crack onto the fact that Ricky Hatton is all image and money (been spending too much time chasing after the yanks) and Carl Froch will shine through as Britains true people's champ.

Hatton has overplayed the "man of the people" tag by some measure. He's a man going for the most money he can get. That much should now have become obvious.

And if I hear the words "pound for pound" come out of Hattons mouth once more, I think I'll vomit.

P.S HBO dont want to see Froch vs Taylor because Taylor is a cash cow for them, and they know he's getting sparked out if he gets into a fight with Carl.....thus, his sheen will be tarnished and will no longer be a cash cow. The Cobra is the real deal, and HBO know it.

Ah right, cheers Riggadon. Well for that reason I want the Froch/Taylor fight more now, and definitely over a Froch/Kessler fight.

I do feel a little sorry for Kessler though, as he can't get a big fight at all. I'd love to see him and Froch grow their reputations before taking on each other as it deserves to be a PPV mega fight.

johnny2sprouts... "In my opinion anyone who thinks Hatton will beat Pacquiao doesn't understand boxing"

Thankfully it's only your opinion and so no-one has to take any notice of such a sweeping (not to mention ignorant) statement.

In any boxing match there is always a chance for the underdog - Cotto is fighting our boy Jennings, who could get a punch of and flatten Cotto. Difference between Jennings and Hatton is that Hatton is the best at his weight, therefore the respective fights will be much closer. Manny may have speed (wasn't that supposed to cause Hatton so much trouble ago PM?) but Hatton will have the power and the strength on the inside. If you're so confident go and take a £10,000 loan out and stick it all on Manny P to win... would you have the balls to do that? Nope, because you know there's a more than realistic chance of Hatton winning. So why make such comments?

For me this is amongst a number of fights that is making me tempted to go and buy rubber panties, i'm getting that excited.

The guy i wanna see some more of is Victor Ortiz, can certainly bang a bit. Would be nice to see if Froch does have any talent or if he'll fold against Kessler..

...but where would we be without Awful Harrison? he is the del boy of british boxing.
this time next year...
Hatton will have another good year, Froch will go from strength to strength and as for the Frank Warren stable, I hope I am wrong, but he only seems to have wannabies with glass chins at the moment (Amir) who have to rely on being too fast for the opposition.
DeGale looks a great prospect, but as long as he isnt spoon fed journeymen like Khan & Hammed were by FW he should go far.

what hattons not fighting in the uk who said this as you said he should do it makes more sense and more money for him.

"Just wanted to give a comment in regard to Saturday. The result was not what I wanted or trained for. I felt great mentally, but know my physical engine was not up to par to close the show. The reasons are irrelevant, but if I thought that was the best effort I could muster moving forward, I would consider calling it a day. But there is more to give and I'll be back next year to try once more to walk though the door. To all those who offer positive support, I thank you. To all those who feel justified to abuse my name, that's cool also, but not on my site. So any abuser will be blocked. I'm only human and while I will never give up on my dream or goals, life is about trying and trying until you get there. Big up and stay blessed and keep positive. Audley"
Dont call him Fraudley, hes only a man.

these fighters should become household names this year

Kessler, Berto, Akinfeev, Dawson, Bradley, Caballero, Abraham, Williams, Adamek, Povetkin.

Ben Dirs Dr Wolf sends his love lol!!!!

I would like to see a rematch between Calzaghe and Hopkins. Even though I thought Hopkins won the fight I think he used the wrong tactics in the fight.
Calzaghe really didnt have a clue what was going on in that fight and both him, his dad and probably most of the people watching the fight were shocked that Calzaghe got the decision.
If they were to have a rematch I think Hopkins will be less defensive. Honestly, he is too too too smart for a fighter of Calzaghe's class!!

That a fight between top fighters is iffy is true, but I also have trouble figuring out how Hatton will beat Pac. To me, his feet have to be quick enough to keep the distance close, and even though he has quick feet, I don't see it happening.

No one has been able to stop Pac from moving in and out yet. The fighters who've been able to trouble him have been those who've been able to block and counter him as he came in (Morales, JMM). And I don't see Hatton doing that, either.

But I hope I'm wrong. I'm not especially a fan of either, but I'm hoping for a great fight. And, if you are looking for a fight to put money on, betting Pac at anything near even odds looks like a pretty good bet to me.

Incidentally, Khan vs. JMM is a truly frightening prospect...

What about Amir Khan? Big things to come in '09 for Team Khan!

To be honest I hope Khan just keeps his head down and gets on with learning all he can with Roach and sparring with Pacman. He looked like he'd learnt a couple of things in his last fight, although he wasn't against anyone special he at least wasn't trying to rush the job and was using it as a useful exercise to work on a couple of things.

That's what he should be doing this year, using each fight to improve gradually and then possibly start looking at title shots in 2010. Look where trying to rush things got him this year?!?! Now he's had that loss he can take his time and do things properly. He can focus on not just winning a title but getting up to the level required to be a true competitor in a strong division.

disgusted by the lack of empathy shown to the average fight fan by moneybags mer50n. In the real world most peole can only afford to go to Vegas once ever, and a lot of the rest can't afford to go ever! Hatton's die hards have already followed their man stateside on several occassions and those were all pre credit crunch. Wembley therefore is a muuch better prospect for the fans especially since the atmosphere would be rivalled only by the atmosphere at rumble in the jungle. The americans haven't came over here for anything bigger than jeff lacy so I think its their turn to travel. I feel that Hatton certainly has a chance although i do think it all depends on hattons commitment to winning the fight.

oh yes Audley! everyone has to admit that despite his short comings, his many shortcomings, he is entertaining! not from a boxing perspective at all. It has to be said that he's fun to laugh at.

It annoys me a lot how many peope can't accept Calzaghe. It seems to be entrenched in the British persona to reject anyone who is successful. the truth is Britain loves a loser. I only wish they would let Calzaghe retire in peace with his body and mind intact, without having, not just the americans but, his own people disregard everything that he has achieved. Joe Calzaghe is a legend lets leave it that way.

In regard to haye vitalli i do feel that it is one or two fights t soon for Haye. The Klitscos have dealt with this particular threat to their doination of the heavyweight division very well. Firstly they picked the stronger of the two to face hm and they dealt with it quickly. Ofcourse he has a chance but againts vitalli he'll have to finish it early and that is going to take one hell of a punch!

totally agree with ben on everything else he has said. Good blog Ben!

I can only see one winner between Hatton and Pacquiao and, unless Pac-man's performance against de la Hoya was more down to the Golden Boy being shot than Manny's brilliance, it won't be the Hitman.

However, I think Haye v Klitschko is a real 50-50 fight. I'd prefer Haye to have had another fight before hand, but the more I think about it, the more I believe Haye can and will win.

Hi everyone,

I am in full agreement with all of you who have expressed a desire for a sweep out of all the cobwebs from the boxing cupboard in 2009 (Hopkins, Jones jnr, ODH, Holyfield et al). I am with the legions of boxing fans who are fed up with this barricade of old names and cash cows like Pavlik, Taylor, and De la Hoya who either refuse to step out of the limelight, or dodge match-ups in which they could be found out. Of course, the cynicism of boxing promoters, broadcasters and the numerous governing bodies seem to perpetually play their parts (Now more than ever- the possible Froch-Taylor match-up being a point in case). The people who make big fights happen deserve the lion's share of the blame for the current downturn in boxing's fortune. I do not believe that there is a dearth of boxing talent around and the likes of HBO need to show more ambition by getting behind lower profile fighters like Froch who might be the next big thing. I will only get more irritated if the networks keep on trying to con the public with "super fights" like De la Hoya-Pacquiao.

As far as big fights for 2009 are concerned, I wish Haye well against Klitchko, if only because his fearlessness and buccaneering style has flown in the face of the aforementioned cynicism of the boxing establishment so far. He is an explosive fighter, and even though there is little logic to the argument that he can beat big Vitali Klitchko, he is not the kind of fighter who should be written off, as he showed against Mormeck. In short, I will put no money on that fight (espescially since Haye left me out of pocket by destroying our own Enzo "Big Mac" Maccarinelli.)

Here are the fighters who I believe deserve mainstream recognition as the world's greaest in 2009:
Mikel Kessler, Paul Williams, David Haye.

Along with the deadwood names that many of us have already mentioned so far, here are two big-name frauds who I think need to be found out in 2009:
Amir Khan (completely over-rated and hyped) and Kelly Pavlik (as mechanical as robocop and as one-dimensional as Soccer Italia 90 on the Megadrive!)

Finally a word or two on the Welsh boxing scene; I am one of the few Welsh boxing fans who WOULD like to see Calzaghe fight Dawson, for two reasons: Firstly, because he is still at his best and secondly, because if Chad Dawson goes on to achieve greatness, then the absence of a Calzaghe-Dawson match-up will leave a big question mark hanging over the boxing history books. Personally, I believe that Calzaghe would out manoeuvre him and would thereby cement his status as the greatest super-middleweight/light-heavyweight of the last 20 years. Dawson is a live, undefeated, very talented and supremely legitimate opponent whose scalp could greatly reinforce Calzaghe's legacy. Everyone is questioning the relevance of such a contest right now, but if n 5 years time Dawson is undisputed and still undefeated the all the same people will be pondering what would have happened if he fought Calzaghe. In short, this could be a career defining fight for both of them- the difference however is that Dawson, being a young and hungry fighter, realises this more than Joe Calzaghe, who could be kicking himself a few years down the line when he realises that he could have put the myth of Chad Dawson to bed in 2009!

On other fronts, Enzo Maccarinelli will fail to unite the cruiserwight belts and Nathan Cleverly will be a world champion by the age of 25.

The 2 fights i, and most the public seeming can wait for are Hatton v Pac Man and Haye v Klitschko. I also think thought that everyone will be upset with the outcome, as both english fighters have the potential to win but some how i dont really see it. but i would love to be proved wrong, infact i would be estatic if proved wrong.

froch vs Kessler would be a mismatch in my eyes. Kessler would destroy him! Kessler is highly underrated and I believe if he was to have a re-match with calzaghe he would win...Even Calzaghe laughingly admitted this in an interview!

I don't really want to see manny vs hatton...I would rather see mayweather vs manny..Thats a real fight! manny would outbox mayweather im certain!

Chad Dawson.

A lot of people are writing about Dawson as the only fight out there for Calzaghe. Maybe so, but everyone seems not to know anything about Dawson, and that includes having his last fight with Glencoffe Johnson - which I, and many others watching the fight, thought Johnson won.

If anything, Dawson should fight the old Road Warrior again, and then let the winner fight Calzaghe.

However, I don't think either fighter has the ring smarts to outdo Calzaghe, IMHO, and Joe should just retire.

Pacman and Hatton. I think giving a decision for the Pacman is being generous to say the least. Hatton is good, but I'm rather on the fence as to just how much improvement Ricky has made with Mayweather snr. If he had actually fought someone who was going to hit back - unlike Paulie Malinaggi - then we would know more, but since he did fight Paulie Hold and Wrestle, and wasn't really in a fight, as it were, I reckon the judges are out on whether Ricky is an improved fighter. I personally feel once Ricky gets hit in the face a few times, he'll just revert back to type and will most likely get stopped with a face worst than ODH's or get KTFO. I can't see Ricky lasting 12 rounds with someone willing to punch him in the face. Repeatedly.

Carl Froch. Who? Carl 'I want Calzaghe' Froch?

I was not one who was masturbating over Froch's decision over Pascal - unlike the media who wrote about it like it was the best fight they had ever seen. Ever. Well, to be fair, maybe it was the best fight they have ever seen, but to me it was ok, and showed Froch's amateur skills as opposed to the World Championship quality people were thinking he had.

I thought Kelly Pavlik was one-dimensional. To call Froch one-dimensional would be to give Froch too much credit. The guy has a decent chin. Having a decent chin isn't a boxing skill. It's called a luck of birth. He should really try to do something like actually learning some boxing. To hear him calling out Calzaghe all the time is embarassing.

ste-laffo (21)

Agreed Kahn won't beat Marquez, but by the end of the year he will be the only lightweight in Khan's path.

With the rate of progression I think we'll see from Kahn now he's basing himself in the US to train, he'll have a version of the world title by the end of 2009 and a Kahn - Marquez fight is what we'll be looking forward to in 2010.

Since I'm here.

Amir Khan. World Champion? LOL! World Champion Chicken Dancer, maybe.

If anyone thinks he's back after the Oisin School Teacher fight has fallen into the spell of Frank Warren. Again. Snap out of it. I don't think he did anything out of the ordinary against Breidis Prescott. He didn't rush out off his head or did anything that he didn't previously do. He simply came up against someone who was not afraid to hit back, and hit back hard. If there was anything wrong, it was the fact that they underestimated the opponent. End of story.

A rematch against Prescott is the only way we will know if he has really learnt anything from Roach. However, since no one is able to teach a boxer to add muscle onto their jaw or counteract being punched in the head hard, I'm of the opinion that is more accurate to describe him as Amir Khant. To think that he hadn't learnt about protecting his head from all the bouts prior to the Prescott fight says it all really.

David Haye. Good luck, dude. I think it's too early for him to be fighting Vitali, but what the haye, go for it. I'll be cheering him on. If it was Wladimir, I would give him a chance of knocking him out but not Vitali, who seems to have a granite chin.

Kessler against Bhop. I wouldn't mind seeing this fight. I even have the sneaky feeling that Bhop might beat the odds again and win another decision. BUT only if Kessler is over-awed by the occassion and turns into jelly like Kelly, and can't pull the trigger. If Kessler keeps his head he should come through, but it'll be close.

Someone above said that Taylor is a cash-cow for HBO. I'm not sure that is the case, especially since he's lost twice to Pavlik and his last one against Lacey wasn't that astounding. The reason HBO doesn't want a Taylor- Froch fight is that they are going 'who the fark is Froch?', like anyone in the US would ask also. If that fight is made, it might do better in the UK than in the US. But whatever the case, I think Froch will come a cropper against someone with a bit more skill than Pascal. It would be interesting to see how many more months the Cobra can keep the belt.

Blimey - just re-read that. That's Khan obviously. I seem to have lost the ability to type

Khan against Marquez?

Oh dear.

Barrera- Hamed, anyone?

Look at that no mention of Amir Khan. What about the long awaited comeback of Prince Naseem Hamed ;-) ?

Khan has a punchers chance at world level but He is clearly out of his depth against decent fighters who have a bit of power and can stick around to land thweir own shots. Only a handful of fighters have the ability to not get hit at world level- Khan aint one of 'em. He would need to find a way of never getting hit because some of the guys who have dropped him have been powderpuff punchers. Prescott completely wiped him out- if you watch the fight Khan was wobbled by a jab before being sparked- this says more about khans chin than prescotts power for me. He has real talent and speed and power- unquestionably, defensively he is niave but his defence isnt as bad as it looks- all fighters get hit from time to time but when he is hit he stays hit. I expect him to be around for a while and because of his vulnerabilities he will offer entertainment- cant see any of his fights at decent level going the distance either way. If he does win a title there will be a queue of fighters looking to take it off him and it may be a very short reign. even Frank Warren cant protect him because he would have to put him in against a light punching flyweight. He jus didnt get his fair shar of jaw when he was born

"With the rate of progression I think we'll see from Kahn now he's basing himself in the US to train, he'll have a version of the world title by the end of 2009 and a Kahn - Marquez fight is what we'll be looking forward to in 2010"

Excuse the abrupt nature of my reply but this is complete drival. He loses to Prescott, convicingly, when just weeks before hand is talking about world titles etc. Not for a long time can I remember a solitary round that so emphatically exposed all that is wrong with a professional boxer.

There should be no title shot this year, he needs to keep his head down, box a few decent opponents and work on his game. A title shot at this stage would be awarded only on the nature of his marketed image and not by his talent in the ring.
As for a rematch, please. He certainly does not want to get back in the ring with, let's be honest, a largely unknown with a clear talent for putting man to canvas. On another note, regarding his chin with accusations of 'glass jaw' been levelled at him. I feel this could possibly become a problem at top level but has also been over inflated in the same manner as the man himself. He is certainly no Eubank but it shouldn't be a reason to write off his entire career.

As for Froch, well, it seem's the general consesus regarding him on this board is that of my own. Over-rated. Now I don't pretend to be Joe's biggest fan but I admire his ability. Albeit largely untested when in his prime during a time with some great fighter's plying their trade, of which he hasn't fought until now. Sorry, I'm starting wander on a tangent.

Back on point, Froch has no way near earnt the right to a fight with Joe and in my opinion would lose it anyway. As mentioned elsewhere I too find him very one dimensional although I must disagree with the chap who has attempted to demean his very good win over Pascal. In summary, Khan is far from the finished article and will have learnt alot from the Prescott fight in and out of the ring. Froch I feel won't quite cut it at the very top for a sustained period but shouldn't be disrespected in the way Joe has done recently.

hkscot you think kessler can beat hopkins...your out of your mind!!

Pacman - hatton:
I would love to see the fight at wembley in the summer in front of 90,000 (i remember reading that one of hattons ambitions was to fight in front of a record number of fans - not sure if 90,000 would be a record?) and then see hatton got to vegas in the winter to take mayweather in a rematch before reitring. Do i expect him to beat either? Pacman is by far the better fighter but hatton would have the greater power and knows his own flaws so would have to come up with some kind of plan - and i for one think he can do it. As for mayweather hatton walked blindly into a schooling the first fight and like he said it would better to be knocked out twice than forever wondering what if?

Calzaghe - hopkins:
I would love to see this. Calzaghe was clearly better than hopkins and it annoys me that anyone thinks hopkins won the first fight. He ruined it as a spectacle and apart from one lucky shot got nowhere near calzaghe. Calzaghe should put this one to bed once and for all by destroying hopkins in cardiff (trouble is calzaghe has found it difficult to knock his opponents out of late and a Ko is whats needed)
I wouldnt bother with froch if i was joe - what a wate of time that would be - he wouldnt knock him out but hed win by like a zillion points - dont even bother

Haye- klitschko:
I have never been more impressed with a performance than when Haye took apart macarinelli and i dont think many people watching that realise how hard a man macrinelli is. Heavyweight and Klitschko is undoubtedly a much tougher prospect and it will be interesting to watch no doubt. Wladimir would have been a more ideal fight before moving up to vitali but hey you wanna be the best you gotta fight them all sometime - why not go straight in. I hope he can do it.

A word about amir khan - the boy is one of the quickest fighters ive seen and although he has a suspect chin i feel he has been hampered more by the string of bums warren lined up for him for years after he turned pro. Like someone said he has been pro for 4 years now and whos he fought? He should have been tested much earlier and he could have got past the chin problem by now and after a world title.

Great blog - peace out

Most of what was written i agree with. But the part about hatton fighting in the U.S making no sense is rubbish. Of course he can get more money and a bigger crowd if he fights here, but he won't get the recognition. Its like this, if a football player was scoring alot of goals and putting in top notch perfomance's in the french league everybody would say thats in the french league. We would say he needs to play in the premier league or the La Liga to see how good he really is. The U.S is the premier league of boxing. Now obviously hatton is no rookie who's trying to prove himself. Everybody across the world knows what his about. Drogba is a world class striker and like Hatton at the top of his game. But do you think drogba would now leave after his made a name for himself back to the french league? NOPE. Because you want to fight and play at the top level as long as your able to, cause when its gone its gone forever!

Nahid1987,

Excellent example used their to explain why the fight will be in Las Vegas.

As great as it would be to go watch Hatton at Wembley infront of 90'000 fans, America is where the fight must take place for boxing reasons.

Stupid example by Nahid1987, a win against pacman wouldn't be any less credible if it happened in the U.K. Its the same opposition unlike your football example and the only reason that its happening in vegas is for money.

Really uninterested in Frank Warren's latest olympic cash cows. Wake me up in 6 years when they fight someone decent. Kel Brook, on the other hand- big things await.

Daniel Jacobs is another fighter to watch, and if 2009 is anything like 2008 you'll get plenty of chances to- he fought 12 times last year and has 12 knock outs from 13 fights so far.

hkscot;

You said that Dawson's last fight was an uncovincing UD over Johnson, but in fact his last fight was a very convincing UD over Tarver. The Johnson fight was the one before that, and you could've made a case for either fighter in that one, but it was definitely more convincing that Calzaghe's SD over Hopkins.

Bottom line is Calzaghe's big career defining fights in the US were against Hopkins and Jones. The Jones fight was written off by the American media as it was an old Jones. They believe Jones has not been the same since his crushing defeats to Johnson and Tarver.

So what better way to silence all those American critics by taking on young, prime, unbeaten, American Champion Dawson, who holds victories over the two guys that destroyed Jones, albeit one controversial win and one convincing one.

PS the biggest thing I don't understand is Dawson taking on Tarver again on the 14th March, you'd think he would've fought Johnson again instead. Maybe it's because Tarver's the bigger name, but that fight won't prove anything.

sorry, I forot to mention that I think Calzaghe will wipe the floor with Dawson, with his skill and handspeed, but if he doesn't take him on and prove it, the question will always remain, especially in America.

Dawson has already said he is happy to come to Wales and take a small purse, the ball is in Calzaghe's court...

Final point about Dawson, and then I will let it go.

He holds a win over Thomasz Adamek, who is now widely regarded as the Cruiserweight king, it was a very convincing win and the only defeat of Adamek's career.

Regarding Hatton v Pacquaio. Las Vegas is the only venue under consideration because HBO and MGM are the only organisations that can guarantee $20 million to guarantee the purses. And that is what this is all about.
Wembley is a great venue but the ownership of Wembley is essentially through the Football Association. This means that Wembley National Stadium Limited would have to guarantee the fight purses-which is a huge financial risk. Only a huge corporation like MGM Grand can risk $5-10 million to stage the fight-remember MGM makes money multiple ways from a fight ticket sales, hotel rooms and gambling revenue etc. Wembley could only make money from ticket sales.
Staging the fight at Wembley will also cost more than the purpose built MGM Grand. Wembley is a stadium that is not set-up for fights. Besides the fight would have to take place at 2am to satisfy US networks-which means Wembley would acquire special licensing and numerous logistics including the weather.
I also feel 14,000 in the MGM Arena plus cctv viewing would generate far more money than 90,000 in Wembley. That is what all this comes down to money. Las Vegas can stage these big fights at a drop of an hat.

Pacquaio will demolish Hatton, and Klitschko will beat Haye inside 2 rounds.

Having said that, I'll be cheering the Brits on...

I am looking forward to seeing how Froch fairs against a class opponent like Jermain Taylor.

I'm not looking forward to seeing the lads who have signed with Warren due to the fact I beleive as a promoter he is a more man manager and an appauling 'fight maker'. Just ask Amir Khan following the Prescott fiasco. I am much more looking forward to Frank Maloney's new accausition in Darren Sutherland who had an extremely impressive debut, wouldn't you agree. With Warren I can see these new Olympians fighting bums, much like Khan has; fighting the likes of Fagan, and have records without losses and expecting title fights to land in their laps simply because they have that Olympic Medal. Much like Audley Harrison has, another example of poor Warren promoting.

I can't Help thinking that Joe Calzaghe is dodging Carl Froch some what, since now we know how well he can take a punch following the Pascal fight. Which was surely one of, if not the fight of the year. Marvellously and justly it was on terrestrial, with the likes of Ordinary Harrison against a Ulster cabbie and Maccarenelli fighting a Bum from Blackpool on Sky Box Office. I know which one I prefered. But Joe Calzaghe dodged Kelly Pavlik for a time and then when Bernard Hopkins made a fool of 'The Ghost Man' Calzaghe was sort of let off the hook, and now Calzaghe is left to fight and make a mockery of a spent Roy Jones Jnr. in the final rounds of their match.

I wouldn't mind seeing Evander Holyfield fight again, but only if it was against Valuev in a rematch of their joke title fight, Holyfield was robbed.

However, extremely excited about the proposed Haye versus Vitali Klitschko bout rumoured to be taking place in London in the Summer. Unlike others I beleive Haye is capable of winning the fight and going onto to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. One thing I hope will stop in 2009 is the death of the heavyweight division, and this can only happen via the end of the Eastern Europes dominance upon it. Hopefully David Haye can be the savour, cos the likes of Matt Skelton, Audley Harrison and Danny Williams, sure as anything aren't capable of doing it.

David Haye needs a few more fights at heavyweight before even thinking about Klitschko (either one). How about taking on some more middle of the road opposition eg Chagaev, Ibragimov et al, and then maybe by around January 2009 he could go for the big one against Wlad or Vitali?
Haye can talk a good fight and he sure does have some pop in that right hand but that chin aint so good.
Do we really want to see take on too much too soon and than sink into a see of mediocrity? He's got talent but a loss at this stage would make him irrelevant to US audiences.

Ben

I can't believe as a boxing fan you are advocating the fact that it would be acceptable for Joe Calzaghe to not fight Bernard Hopkins. Yes the first fight was rubbish, but it was very close. If Joe wants to be considered a legend, he needs to get past his 'no rematch' policy and show the world that the result the first time round was valid. I personally think Hopkins would win a rematch. He is a wily operator and will prepare vigilently for their next encounter. A rematch with Hopkins would be infinitely more pleasing than a fight with Dawson, who frankly has not proved himself worthy of a mega fight.

Like you I am also looking forward to the fight between Pacquiao and Hatton, but the result will largely depend on what weight the fight is at. Ironically, I think it would be to Pacquiao's advantage if the fight was at 147lbs, as Hatton has always struggled at this weight. I would like to see the fight at 140lbs, and I reckon Hatton would edge it.

Also agree that shot legends should be calling it a day. If Oscar De La Hoya lines up another superfight in 2009 he is only robbing a genuine prospect of much needed exposure. This sort of thing can only damage boxing.

Is it just me or is Hatton getting a bit obsessed with being the so called pound for pound champ.

He moved up a weight to fight the pretty boy ( got hammered!!!) I went to Vegas to watch it, just something Ive always wanted to do as a fight fan.

Now he's on about Manny. We all know Manny is levels above Hatton, Hatton is powerful, ruthless but ONE DIMENSIONAL. What would it proove if he beat Manny? We know Hattons got the ability to KO someone with one punch (and its only that factor that even gives him a prayer)

Should Hatton land the jackpot punch, are we all gonna wake up on May 3rd thinking he's P4P best in the world??? erm..... NOPE!!

We've got Witter over here who Hatton should be shutting up, Tim Bradley wouldnt be a bad way to proove your worth also (powerful up and coming new kid on the block ala Calzaghe- Lacy).

He avoided Cotto like the plague at lightwelter, yet thats a fight that should have happened. (it still could if he so wants to fight at welter.... dont hold your breath!)

Come on Ricky, stick to light welter, beat all thats out there and hang your gloves up with the knowledge that you cleaned up your division and stayed the man to beat . ( again ala Calzaghe)

People still talking about Junior Witter? Oh dear..

I talk about Witter for one simple reason, love him or hate him, Hatton aint fought him, and when hes retired people will always mention it.

I think Hatton would beat him but until he does the doubt will be there.

If Hatton beats Manny people will just say DLH was weight drained when he fought Manny and the win actually flattered Manny. The Hatton win would be classed in the old adage 'a good big un beats a good little un'.

IMO I think Hatton shouldnt fight Manny.

Hatton hasn't fought Witter because in truth, who has Witter fought and what value has he ever had? I think Hatton is well within his right not to give a very very average switch hitter his big payday, Jones Jr he aint.

But ridgeback71, what point are you trying to make..? One sentence you're saying Hatton is one dimensional and will will probably lose, then the next sentence saying he may win..! Also, what would you rather watch? Hatton v Pacman or Hatton v Bradley/Holt?

I know which one i'd pay to watch..

coxy

Id rather watch Hatton - Pacman, and im saying I think Hatton will lose ,but he carries a big enough dig, that if he lands it he can Ko Manny.

Im more talking in respect of how boxing seems to be going. Its all about fighting people from any weight division nowadays, as long as you are within about 4 weights of each other. Then you got all the 'city tours' that seem to be the order of the day now. All too much razzmatazz, getting a bit of a WWE feel to the big fights lately. People fighting at catchweights just to cash in on the fans, the likes of Hatton giving up world title belts just to fight P4P champ (PBF), avoiding Witter when he was WBC champ (a belt Hatton never had, yet generally regarded as the most coverted).

I dont see how you can retire saying you were the best in your division, when you never held the most coverted belt and didnt fight the British holder of it. We genuinly cant say for sure if Hatton is the best Light welter in England let alone the world.

I know watching Witter is like watching paint dry, but he should have been addressed and that would put all this arguement to bed.

Its like a little closed circle now. Pac beats DLH, winner fights Hatton, PBF fights the winner and I'll bet you any money DLH will fight the winner of that, and whatever the outcomes he will fight Hatton at wembley anyway so they can both retire .

All that garbage and fleecing the genuine fan in lets face it, isnt a good financial situation at present.

I think its all a big joke

I dont care who fights who, thats all out of our control, and if you are a true boxing fan it dont really matter, however lots lots more exciting boxing on TV would be great for 2009 especially at a reasonable time.

true .

cant wait for cotto - margarito II.

Isn't it time someone stopped ducking and diving Paul Williams?! He's now fighting at light middle, probably not out of the question that he could go up again (he was monstrously big for a welter so has it in him) to middleweight, maybe to meet Pavlik.. or maybe Taylor if he comes down from super-middle..

Talking of super-middles, Froch - the only way he's going to get any respect is to get in with Kessler, who i think could be an exceptionally good fighter at that weight. Taking into account it was his first 'big' fight and he hurt his hand he certainly gave Calzaghe a decent run for his money.

Ridgeback71 - agree with you in that i can't wait for Margarito Cotto II, assuming that Mosley doesn't roll back the years in a couple of weeks!

Hopefully Hatton can beat Pacman and then Manny can take on Marquez again...

coxy

cant see mosley being able to upset the apple cart at this stage of his career.

and maybe if PBF makes a come back he could be in with cotto or margarito before the years out...

How about Marquez moving up to take on Hatton, its only a 5lb weight diff.

That would be a right old tear up

I agree the Evander should bow out with what little reputation he has left but think that both Roy Jones and Oscar have more to offer to the sport..Anyone agree?

rfu...

Nope, i don't agree with the last bit! It wasn't such that Jones Jr was outclassed (against Calzaghe) but rather that he ran out of steam after 5 rounds. His speed, punch snap had gone and that's just age catching up with him unfortunately. If Calzaghe had left his home comforts earlier (i still have an issue with him staying in Wales till his mid 30s) 6-8 years ago then we may well have had an all time classic. DLH is equally as shot, now is the time for him to focus on promoting.

Holyfield should retire for the good of the heavyweight division, all he's doing is proving how an utterly abysmal state the division is in.

cant disagree with any of that coxy.

I would have put Bhop in that bracket until his total dominance of Pavlik

hi, just a few thoughts here
i think if calzaghe fights again he beats whoever he faces at his weight(S), he is that good, i do think he could do with another superfight, but at the same time, are there any real credible opponents???

im scared for hatton against manny,because as much as i hate the idea, i think he could lose this one, but he wants to fight the current best, and who can knock him for that? even if he loses, he's a legend to me for putting himself again in the firing line against the widely regarded no.1
David haye has undeniably raised interest in the sport recently with his war of words with big vit, and everyone, should the fight get sealed, is looking forward to this one!
im not his biggest fan by any stretch but if he pulls this one off, it will be great for british sport
not too excited about froch,although id love to be proved wrong. In his last fight which was a belter. He showed me how to get hit a lot of times in the face by an average looking pascal!

first of Hatton needs to fight in Vegas where the americans can see him and get the respect he needs - of course everyone would love to see him fight at Wembley but it would do more for him if he beats Pacman here in the US.
i believe Hatton has the strength and power to stop and hurt Pacman - He needs to listen to his trainer and not return to his own self when pacman starts hitting him - if he does that he will be victorious - Pacman doesnt have a steel chin - he has been knocked down by fighters that dont even have the strength that Hatton has - so i know it will be a great bloody fight - both fighters move forward and always come to fight and not to dance around like other fighters - I also think that if he beats Pacman that he can stop Mayweather - Hatton fought with out control or discipline against Mayweather - i have examined the fight many times and it was closer than many people think - Hatton took too many hits with out protecting himself and just barged in wildly - those things took their toll on him - Yes Mayweather is a more skilled boxer than Hatton but that doesnt mean he is unbeatable - Cotto, Mosely and all those other fighters (brawlers) that he avoided would defineatly have given him problems and taken his belt -

on another note Margarito will beat Mosely like he did to Cotto - He has a better chin, strength and harder hit than Mosely - They said Cotto was heavy handed but Margarito's hands were heavier - Mosely has to constantly keep the pressure and fight him in the middle of the ring where he can use his speed to beat him - He cant do little 3 hit combos duck and back away like Cotto did - I f he fights him in the middle and not close he may have a chance - Cotto and Mosely are great fighters and they come to fight not dance around the ring and win in points and stay pretty doing it

Kessler is being very underestimated - he needs to fighting anyone and get recognized - He needs to fight in Vegas

If anything, Dawson should fight the old Road Warrior again, and then let the winner fight Calzaghe. (took this from someone cause it made sense)

Klitschko is the best right now and i dont see anyone beating him anytime soon

Lovely post Ben. Rumour has it Vitali Klitschko is to fight his WBC #1 mandatory Juan Carlos Gomez on March 21st, So that makes things interesting if true. Possibly means a June fight against Wlad, which suits Haye down to the ground.

I'd love to see Joe give Froch a boxing lesson a la Jeff Lacy, but I can't see him going down to super middleweight again. I can't see that fight playing out any other way, Froch looked fairly ragged in the latter rounds against Pascal, and against a fighter that doesn't slow down like Calzaghe, he'd have been in all kinds of trouble.

Dawson would be interesting to see, but ultimately it'd be another Lacy scenario. The guy was supposedly the saviour of the super middleweight division, now apparently he's an average, flawed, fighter... Funny how quickly opinion changes when Joe Calzaghe is involved. If Calzaghe battered Dawson, it'd prove nothing to the naysayers that are calling for it, so why bother? Same with Froch to an extent.

I don't think Pacman's going to be too much for Hatton at all though, Pac's not been hit by a big puncher at that weight. To me that makes it interesting. He might fold like a deck chair with a few vicious body shots. Just to add, I made a lot of money betting against Hatton when he fought Floyd, I'm not buying the hype, just I didn't think Pac-man answered any questions against Oscar's ghost.

3 words

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ

I understand that some posters would like to see the Hatton v Pac Man super fight here in the UK.
The money, and the interest, is in the US, however.
This is evident from the excellent coverage given by HBO on 99% of their events.
In all honesty, I would rather see these fights hosted in the US too. We tend to have an extremely partisan approach to sport. Boxing fairs no better, I'm afraid.
I cannot stand to hear punters booing boxers on their way in to the ring.
Fine, if they are putting on a bad show, boo them. That happens on both sides of the pond.
But to boo a fighter before he has had a chance to give an account of himself is simply unsporting.
To me, boxing is the king of sports.
And a king belongs in his castle.
That castle, at the present time, is in the US.

RE: Hatton

HE'S NOT CALLED FATTON CAUSE HE GAINS WEIGHT IN BETWEEN FIGHTS, HE'S CALLED FATTON CAUSE HE'S OBESELY OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Left Jab Jay

Spot On

Nihad1987, can you qualify you're comment about Hatton being overated? Just so i've something extra to argue against!

He has never ducked anyone (and don't mention Witter, has never been world class) to start with. He's beaten some pretty decent fighters..

Tszyu - a guy who at the time was #2 in the P4P list and reigned at light-welter

Castillo - stuck on his knees for some considerable time, and the only time that has happened and he's been in with some great fighters

Mayweather - lost against probably one of the best defensive boxers ever. If i boxed with the same patience he showed against Malignaggi it could have been different (note the word 'COULD'!!!)

Maligaggi - a guy alot of people thought would be too slick for him, then gave him a battering

Just because he's not the prettiest fighter to watch box, doesn't mean he's overated. If he's overated, why has he been the unanimous #1 light welter for the last few years or so?

Hattons not over rated, but he's past his best.

He hasnt been the same since he beat Tszyu in 2005.

Having said that, he is still probably the best light welter out there at the moment.

The reason he couldnt beat PBF (soon to be joined by pacman) is that all out aggression doesnt cut it when you mix with the elite.

So the win over PM (and an utterly convincing one at that) wasn't Hatton nearly back to his best? I'll admit he's been below par against the likes Lazcano, Mayweather & Collazo in recent years. But a change of trainer looks like it could at least add a method to the madness.. something (which was proved against Mayweather admittedly) that Billy Graham never had in his armoury - the ability to devise a game plan other than what you mentioned (sustained pressure) and never had a plan b (Mayweather fight).

One thing for certain is that Hatton won't have to go searching for Pacman in the ring, it could be an absolute humdinger. Just wish when they announce it they'd change the date as i can't get time off for the 2nd to go out there!

I didnt see much improvement in the malignaggi fight. maybe less hot headed but started lunging into his punches and missing badly with lots of them. If he does that with manny, he'll be gone in under 5 rounds.

Malignaggi is crap, he lost his fight with N'dou on the undercard to hatton lazcano, but as it was a done deal that he fought hatton then he got the decision.( dont bring up the broken hand rubbish, its the first sign of an excuse when a boxer doesnt perform, i dont believe his hand was broke, hes just crap!)

Im not saying Manny is invincible, far from it, hes got alot of flaws that if he was authodox not southpaw he would have been found out by now.

I just dont think , with all the will in the world that hatton has the ability to expose them.

If Manny fought PBF , he'd be ko'd himself inside 5 rounds.

Id like to see PBF v either Cotto or Margarito, I think both have the skills to give him a scare, although he'd beat Cotto on points, I could see Margaritos 'educated' pressure and shear inability to ever get hurt (so it seems) being too much for PBF and a late stoppage would be on the cards.

Hatton will not beat Pac. but its a fight I want to see, a rematch againt PBF is pointless - he will lose again.

Calzaghe vs Dawson will not happen, not attractive enough for Joe (if he fights again).

Ben Dirs - you look like that 'pancho' guy from dirty sanchez in your blog photo.

You may need to watch the fight again then, Hatton did show a fair bit improvement especially on the way in.

I do find it amusing how you think Manny would have been found out by boxing orthodox? I still keep watching both of his fights with Marquez and still haven't seen a reason why Manny won both fights. Bringing this back to Hatton, if Marquez can push Manny backwards then Hatton can do a whole lot more at 2 weights above when those 2 fought...

I'm also not convinced either Maragarito or Cotto would trouble FMJ to the extent of winning. As much as i hate to say it FMJ is one of theee best backfoot/defensive fighters i've seen and would simply out-box both to a point decision. I've never seen him hurt in a ring, ever.

How about this for a sequence of fights...

Hatton v Pacman gets...
FMJ

The winner of Mosely v Margarito gets..
Cotto..

The winner of that gets the winner of the first mentioned fight...

Pass me the rubber panties...

PBF V Mararito then a year from now. sounds good to me.

As for Hatton - Pacman.... we'll all know soon enough, at least its gonna happen and its not just a pipe dream

Guys yours wrong. David Haye is a massive Athlete and i think (know) he will beat Wlad who has a weaker jaw than his stronget more technical older brother. Vitali Klitschko would of been too soon for Haye, though he still had a chance and can beat him on his day. I used to live an breathe the sport and Haye is the most exciting thing to happen in the heavy div sinece Lewis Vs Tyson, though is Lewis was the great he was he would of beat Tyson when Holyfield did. Haye reminds me of Tyson in his explosive combination punching. Haye is British not Canadian like Lewis... if we dont believe an get behind him instead of these Europeans and Yanks then what chance has he got....
HE WILL WIN - KO

To be honest I like most your blogs ben but this one not so much! James de gale mbe!! Your having a laugh. Any self respecting boxing fan knows frank warren is going to build him up for 15 fights and then he's gonna take the money and hope for the best. First of all put him in a ring with darren Sutherland tomorrow and its lights out take your gold medal and go home! As far as hatton I'm convinced he'll be to big and strong for pacman 11st 2 on fight night against malignaggi that's 16 pounds he put on between the weigh in and the fight that's one of the main reasons he is number one light welter in the world. The heayweight scene needs David haye the Americans don't know it yet but they soon will. Wlad will be a no contest. He's already afraid for his life of taking a punch! Mayweather margarito looks like the fight everyone wants to see but for me its a snatch and grab for mayweather easy it will suit him down to the ground to shade round after round against margarito his defense is way to good hes not going to stand there like cotto and get frustrated cause he's not getting him out of there. Then if hatton wants another payday I'm sure they'll come up with some sort of British media machine to give him a chance which he obviously doesn't have he just doesnt have the brain to outsmart mayweather in the ring all the pressure in the world or calculated pressure whatever you want to call it , mayweathers seen it all before I've honestly never really seen mayweather in anything like trouble in a boxing ring can someone please give me a link on youtube to a fight where he's taken a flush punch anything I just want to see how he reacts after it!!

To be fair to Degale number1joe, how many fighters fight anyone of any note in their first 15 fights? It's mostly about getting them up the rankings before they start challenging for Domestic, Commonwealth etc etc honours. As long as he's not chinny like Khan we should see a better path being drawn up for him.

Re Hatton, i agree with you mate. Manny has the speed but Hatton will have the natural strength at the weight and has a better chance of a flash knockdown, especially if he catches him like he caught Castillo. (quick note - i think he reyhdrated 12lbs to 152 from 140 for the PM fight)

As for Mayweather being rocked, he didn't look comfortable at times against DLH. Also in the Hatton fight he took a pretty clean chopping right hand (1st round), he then catches a jab and isn't sent stumbling backwards. The first punch stiffened his legs, if Hatton had been able to land another power punch it may not have been just a stumble backwards... Hatton would have to box like he never has done before to stand a chance in a rematch, you can't blame the guy for having one more pop at him as the ref did ruin it as a spectacle last time round. Sometimes they weren't even tied up on the inside when he called break, if you watch the handling of the PM fight the ref allows the guys to fight out of the inside as they were still throwing punches when they came in close.

Ridgeback71... you've got a very strange point of view... you seem to be advocating that Hatton should aim for mediocrity rather than trying to take on the very best... Most people complain about fighters who stick to fighting mediocre fighters and never fight the best, whereas that seems to be exactly what you're most interested in.... peculiar!