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Hatton Invasion Arrives Saturday Night in Boston
TUE May 9, JAS PANCHHI - Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (40-0-0, 30 KO’s) is now venturing into
American territory since his very first fight by taking on Luis Collazo at welterweight. Hatton captured the IBF title by stopping Kostya Tszyu
and soon after the Englishman halted Carlos Maussa. Hatton was initially thought to have agreed to fight Carlos Baldomir, but it's the American Luis Collazo (26-1-0, 12 KO’s) who is going to be Hatton’s opponent on May 13th live on HBO Championship Boxing at 9:45 EST from Boston, MA. Hatton pressurises his opponents and his trademark punch remains his textbook left book to the body. He has an abundance of head movement and holds monstrous power but is prone to cuts.
Luis Collazo is a southpaw fighter who has quick hand speed and a very good defence. Collazo captured his WBA Welterweight title after beating Jose Antonio Rivera via a split decision in Rivera’s hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts last April. In that fight, Collazo showed good composure against an aggressive fighter. He began to take control of the fight towards the middle of the fight and overcame a cut and severe bruising to emerge victorious. Collazo displayed good boxing ability and the capability to brawl as well as solid stamina, which will be needed against the relenting Hatton.
Collazo’s most recent bout against Miguel Angel Gonzalez reiterated the talents of the WBA 147-pound champion that we saw against Rivera as he showcased tremendous accuracy on his way to stopping Gonzalez in the eighth round. Collazo is supremely confident going into this fight and has been angered by the thoughts that Hatton is not respecting the threat of Collazo enough.
Some say that Hatton is not only embarking upon a new mass of land but also a new breed of fighter. Hatton has never faced a fighter that is as talented and slick as the twenty five year old Collazo is. The American showed against Rivera that he can cope when put under relentless pressure. Hatton has fought southpaws in his career, most notably Eamonn Magee, who knocked Hatton down in the first round.
In this fight, Hatton yet again showed that is susceptible to cuts and this may prove a key factor in his fight against Collazo. Collazo has a seven inch reach advantage and is expected to prevent Hatton to enter the range where he can be so effective in working the body. Hatton will try to use constant head movement when attempting to get inside. Hatton can sometimes seem tireless and ceases to lift his button of pressure that is always pressed. Although Hatton possesses the greater power between the two, the speed advantage lies firmly with Collazo who believes that he has the ideal style to beat the Englishman.
Collazo, who has a three inch height advantage over Hatton, will try to punish Hatton has much as he can while Hatton tries to venture inside. The American will also be expected to use his superior agility to constantly step way from Hatton as the Englishman fights on the front foot.
There are major prospects for the winner of this encounter. If Hatton emerges victorious, fights against Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Carols Baldomir or Arturo Gatti will be extremely realistic possibilities. Triumph for Collazo will add the first major feather to his cap and he will be in the frame for more big fights against the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
The fight between Luis Collazo and Ricky Hatton takes place on May 13th at the Banknorth Garden in Boston. The fight will be shown on Showtime in America from 9:00 PM ET/PT and on Sky Box Office in England.
Questions or Comments email jaspanchhi@hotmail.com
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