Glenn McCrory - Sky Sports Expert

Ricky's tricky times

Trainer, age and weight make it a testing time for Hatton

Posted: 18th September 2008 13:58

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Hatton: testing times

Particularly at the start of camp, Ricky needs someone to push him hard. Now does Mayweather know what Ricky's like? Does he know how out of shape he gets?

Glenn McCrory
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I'm a little bit worried about Ricky Hatton right now.

It strikes me as if he's in that state of change, and from what I have seen, I am not quite sure he is totally 100 per cent himself.

I don't know whether he has been ill - there have been reports of a virus - but physically he hasn't looked at his best whenever I've seen him lately.

He's going through a change of trainers with Floyd Mayweather Sr; he'll be 30 by the time he next fights and having seen pictures of him this week, his weight does worry me. Still.

We have said it for years but sooner or later ballooning like that between fights will catch up with him. He has done it all his career and he has got away with it, but how long can he continue? Age catches up with all of us, whether we like it or not.

In the past Billy Graham would normally whip him back into shape, work him really hard. Floyd Mayweather Sr, is not what you would call a physical trainer; more of a technical coach.

Particularly at the start of camp, Ricky needs someone to push him hard. Now does Mayweather know what Ricky's like? Does he know how out of shape he gets?

Like I say, there are plenty of little things that aren't quite right, for me anyway. And they will need to be by the time he gets in the ring against Paulie Malignaggi.

We have seen what damage changes to trainers and the like can do with Amir Khan, so Ricky will need to be right on his game.

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I am not exactly about to open up a north-east branch of the Paulie Malignaggi Fan Club, but he is a tough opponent. He's one of those fighters that can make Ricky look bad if he's not on top of his game.

He's got good skills and he throws fast combinations - it's just lucky his hands aren't as quick as his mouth!

Like most people, I wasn't impressed when Malignaggi fought at the City of Manchester, but this guy is a world champion and the worst thing Ricky, or any of us, can do is judge him on that performance.

There's no doubt if Hatton is at his best he can cause Malignaggi all sorts of trouble. And I love the fact that he's talking about fighting next at Wembley in front of 100,000 people against the winner of Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquaio.

Personally I think De La Hoya should pick on somebody his own size, but only Ricky could pull off a crowd that size and an opponent of that calibre.

I believe his army of fans are already snapping up tickets and flights to Vegas for November and it is a credit to Ricky that he still attracts that sort of support. He is the only British fighter that could and it is great to see one of our own headlining at the MGM again.

I just hope I am worrying about nothing and that we will see Ricky, on the biggest stage, at his very best.

Do you agree with Glenn? Are you worried about Ricky's change in trainer? Will he be a better fighter under Floyd Sr? Let us know by filling in the feedback form below...

Comments

Robbie Robinson says...

I too have watched Ricky from the beginning and feel that as much as we can follow and support him, there' has to be more to this than hope and I feel that currently there isn't. I respect the guts and bottle Ricky has but there has to come a time when someone calls it a day, hangs up his gloves and relaxes in comfort. I doubt he needs anymore cash to continue with his family type lifestyle and therefore as an avid supporter I would advise Ricky to make this one his last one, for his sake and our sake. We like him the way he is. In addition many other boxers who've gone too far and had one or two fights they didn't need now walk with their heads in the shade. One more Ricky and you'll always have your head up, because we'll help you. Let's face it one defeat isn't a problem considering on that night you also had to take on the referee.

Posted 07:52 2nd November 2008

Edward Usher says...

it is obvious that no one seems to be taking pm at all seriously the guy is an excellent boxer i can see ricky running out of gas in the later rounds trying to nail him. unfortunately it could well be a pm win on points . eddieu

Posted 22:32 1st November 2008

Alan Dickinson says...

i dont agree come fight night the hit man will be ready hel come out on top the new trainer will only make him better

Posted 21:16 27th September 2008

Craig Severin says...

Am absolutely delighted Hatton has got rid of Graham, if I am not mistaken Graham said after the Mayweather fight to the camera's I told him he was a junior welterweight..............basically implying that he told Ricky this would happen. To say Hatton is now past his best after one defeat is nonsense although Malignaggi is a very good fighter Hattons "educated pressure" will be too much for him. Although my one critisism is that I believe the Mayweather fight still plays on his mind far to much & I believe he is longing for a rematch. Which is why I believe once he see's off Malignaggi he may make the mistake of fighting De La Hoya who in my opintion is far to big for Hatton.

Posted 10:27 26th September 2008

Robert Trick says...

Ricky Hatton still has enough in the tank to take out Malignaggi. The only way Ricky will loose is on points because PM has no power in his punches, even if they were at 100%. Sure Ricky looked jaded and at some points terrible against lazcano, but you have to remember that was his comeback fight and his way back to regaining confidence. Yet to be honest, after seeing his face after that fight, im not as confident as i possibly could be, but Ricky will win, no doubt about that. As for beyond PM, i dont know where he is going? A fight with Hoya would be pure money, Cotto is too young and would tear him apart, a floyd rematch just wont happen.... i see Ricky having one more fight after this, and just as a farewell..... Its time for Haye and Khan (cough cough) to tear up their weight classes good luck ricky :)

Posted 00:33 25th September 2008

Peter Walker says...

I have followed ricky since day 1 of his pro career & been talkking him up for what seems a lifetime , but even I know his ballooning weight & age have caught up with him ! He is no longer the warrior he once was and his style is no longer suited to A fighter whom is more concerned with "FAME /FOOD /BEER" than the sweet science.Richard Hatton is a spent force , I only hope is he don`t get hurt in his next couple of bouts ; "ALI " anyone ! P.S Ricky was the best in he`s day !

Posted 23:27 24th September 2008

Blaine Howard says...

i sort of see your point but ricky has always had his doubters about his weight .And i dont think he would have picked a trainer such as mayweather if he didnt think it would be for the best .I think he will fight a bit differnt now because of his age and maybe slowing down and picking his shots more careful .

Posted 23:05 24th September 2008

Rayne Jennings says...

Milignaggi simply wont be able to hurt Hatton, this is an easy Hatton win for me. Although I feel confident enough to predict the winner, this certainly isn't a no-brainer, well not in the same catagory as the Pacman and De La Hoya... So it's definitely Hatton De La Hoya at Wembley... but can someone please tell me how it is that someone the size of Pacman is even allowed to step inside the same ring as someone the size of De La Hoya??? I had feared before now that if the Hatton De La Hoya fight went ahead, the size difference would be too great, and that De La Hoya would run away with it. But the longer we wait, the older De La Hoya gets. A Hatton win in Wembley will be great, and will do much to quash the "Ricky's past it" hype we all heard after our great fighter lost to the pound for pound champ.

Posted 20:51 24th September 2008

Jason Haytree says...

Come on lads lets just get behind Ricky he has always gone from fat to thin, all his career. I do sometimes think if some of the people who write on here support there own fighters. he probably has the best body shots in the game, i think that if the ref lets ricky get in close he will hurt him. as for the Floyd fight that plank of a ref would not let him get near him. Only because he would seriously hurt him, Floyd obviously payed him to much. Anyway back to his next fight i think Ricky will rip him apart. So come on guys get behind the real fighter of England and watch him rip this Yank apart. come on Ricky Fatton !!!!!!!

Posted 00:27 24th September 2008

Dr kadeer Ahmed says...

I think Rickys best years are behind him: Lets face it, he peaked when he fought that stalwart of boxing Kosta tszyu and lets not forget what a magnificient performance it was. However, Ricky is far from the great fighter he was that night. His lifestyle outside of boxing has taken its toll and in todays game you cant neglect your life outside of boxing if you have serious aspirations of achieving world class status - and maintaining it! PM has skills, but a peak Ricky would wipe the floor with him. Lets hope Ricky has got a bit left in the tank to take care of the mouthy, obnoxious e-jdiot.

Posted 11:44 23rd September 2008

Paul Bowen says...

Yeh i think Hatton does look a little out of shape,but saying that he wont be come fight night . Hatton is a pro and a credit to the sport just look at him after the mayweather fight he was more gutted for his fans than him self now that to me says something.As for the trainer switch umm im not to sure only ricky nows if he has made the right choice and im sure we will all know come november.I think ricky will bt Malignaggi with his powerfull body hits ,SOOOO lets all get behind our man and stop asking questions of him,

Posted 01:05 23rd September 2008

Mark Nevin says...

i have to laugh at the blantant bias to ricky hatton here, some of you are seriously seriously seriously underestimating pauli Malignaggi... Malignaggi only defeat was to miguel angel cotto which was actually a close fight in the end... pauli suffers from chronic hand injurys which is the only doubt you would have of ricky hatton beating this guy, hatton has no head movement, his weight is also a serious serious problem.... i think hatton was in serious trouble against lazcano where he was badly hurt in round 8 and round 10 and this is against an blown up lightweight whos last fight was a loss against a guy who got sparked out by junior witter.... hatton is in serious trouble as the weight and diet conditioner has left him and he now has a whole new set up with mayweather sr trying to teach him new stuff, hatton is a brawler you cant change this kind of fighter... i predict a Malignaggi ud or a tko for him as i really really believe hatton to be shot to bits

Posted 15:44 22nd September 2008

Michael Tompson says...

i dont agree ricky will be at his best shape when the fight comes around and as for people saying malignaggi can beat him trust me i've seen a lot of malignaggi fight and he is nothing special

Posted 17:18 21st September 2008

Michael Tompson says...

i dont agree ricky will be at his best shape when the fight comes around and as for people saying malignaggi can beat him trust me i've seen a lot of malignaggi fight and he is nothing special

Posted 17:18 21st September 2008

Ian Jackson says...

I have met Ricky many times and he always came over a great guy.I think his best years are well behind him now.He looked in poor shape recently and I really believe if he carries on boxing at top level he could get seriously hurt.His father Ray should be telling his son the truth now that its time to admit the glory days are gone.I would hate to see a great career nose dive with anothere defeat on his record.I honestly cannot see Ricky winning this next fight.He has very little left.

Posted 16:25 21st September 2008

Kev Broughton says...

I am split here, i agree and disagree with the above comments, i agree that mayweather snr could be a valuable asset to hatton as his defence is not good AT ALL im sorry but it needs to be said, it has got him through his career as he has been able to take a punch for example against Kosta Tszyu he just walked through every punch and it did not seem to take effect. Im afraid so say he cant do that anymore, not sure if its the age or fitness problem but either way he needs to work on his defense. Not taking anything away from Billy Graham he was a great trainer but i think hatton is at a stage in his career that he needs a defence now. Kerry Kayes is a completly different matter, you can say all you want that graham got him into shape but i strongly believe hatton has got all the motivation needed to train hard enough however he has not got a clue about diets, he should have gained experience of dieting from his previous fights and i truely hope that is enough to get him comfortably to the weight, but i think it was a VERY bad move to loose Kerry Kayes, i will be going to Vegas and i believe when push comes to shuve hattons new skills will show in the first few rounds, confuse malanaggi and then the real ricky hatton will come out, even without the fitness which i hope he gains, his power and in your face approch that malanaggi is not used to, and the heart of a champion will come through and he will win. I am going to also stick my neck out and place a bet on 11th round KO Hatton.

Posted 17:59 20th September 2008

Ciaran Mcanena says...

Ricky is looking in terrible shape a t the minute and he seems to be very complacent about this fight. We all saw what Mayweather did to him and he has had one fight since then against a fighter who complements his style. The Magic man is a dangerous fight for Hatton and I will literaly vomit if I have to witness that mouthy yank pick hatton apart over 12 rounds. I wouldnt be so concerned if I saw Hatton looking more in shape at this point but I am worried about all of the points glen brought up.

Posted 16:54 20th September 2008

Mark Ward says...

Relax everyone!!!! Ricky will destroy him with body shots. He's still the best light welter in the world- bar NONE! OK...he's 30 next but provided he gets his weight down in plenty of time without over training he'll be OK. PM hasn't the power to stop Ricky. The only way he'll beat him is on points, or on cuts. Ricky must protect himself against those combos. Taking all that into consideration though PM has never met a pressure fighter like Ricky. My guess Ricky will win with a body shot in Round 8.

Posted 16:45 20th September 2008

Big Stevi says...

yeah one agrees with mike the first responder, i know kerry kayes also and his knowledge on physical fitness and supplements are incredible! He has tought the best even in the bodybuilding stakes Dorian Yates may i add!!!! Ricky wrong decision but ill back ya! Kerry if u read this pal take care hope your well Bigstevi

Posted 20:22 19th September 2008

Lomas Jackson says...

Nobody can doubt Mayweathers work ethic and dedication. we talking about the man that instilled Floyd with his tremendous work etic. So saying that look what happened with Guzman another Mayweather trained fighter so I can see the cause for concern. If I was Hatton I would avoid Bradley at all costs, I reckon he will give Hatton nightmares at this stage of his career

Posted 12:49 19th September 2008

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