Hatton primed for Pendleton
By Paul Upham: WBU light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, 25-0 (20), faces former IBF lightweight champion Freddie Pendleton, 47-25-5 (35), this Saturday evening over 12 rounds when ShoBox: The New Generation makes its UK debut at the MEN Arena in Manchester.
Hatton, who is also the WBO No.1, is looking for an impressive showing to a live audience on Showtime in the USA as he hopes to put himself in the mix with the best 140-pounders in the world. “Pendleton could be my toughest opponent to date. It is going to be a pleasure to share the ring with him on Saturday,” said Hatton. “I hope to achieve what Pendleton already has.”
The undefeated Hatton has had an impressive run so far, but has not been tested by an experienced former world champion such as Pendleton.
“Tony Pep was quite a good win for me. I knocked him out in four rounds. It was probably my best performance. Another good win for me was a second-round knockout over Gilbert Quiroz,” said Hatton. “I am looking forward to Saturday night. Pendleton probably has forgotten more about boxing than I know.
“I need a name to get me really motivated, and so people can see the best of me. Pendleton is a good name. This is a fight that could help raise my profile in the United States.”
Pendleton only found out about this fight last Thursday after original Hatton opponent Australian Justin Rowsell was forced out with a leg injury. Pendleton was in training for another fight and says he is in good physical condition and that he will be able to handle Hatton’s renowned body attack.
“I was supposed to fight on October 19, but the fight was cancelled. I am glad I was prepared,” said Pendleton. “I have fought a lot of fighters who had good body attacks. Hatton may go downstairs more than others, but I am prepared for everything.”
This will be 38-year-old Pendleton’s 78th fight since debuting in November 1981 and he says that he fights on for the love of the sport. “My motivation to continue fighting is that I love the sport. I love to go into the ring and perform for the audience.”
The IBF lightweight champion in 1993-94, Pendleton has a wealth of experience having fought the best of the best in his career. “Pernell Whitaker definitely is the hardest fighter I have faced out of the world champions I have been in the ring with. It was just so hard to hit him. He did a lot of things to throw me off. He did a lot of crazy stuff, but it worked for him,” said Pendleton, who has also fought Frankie Randall, Livingstone Bramble, Jorge Paez, Terronn Millett, Ben Tackie, Rafael Ruelas, Vince Phillips and Felix Trinidad.
Recalling his July 1999 WBA welterweight title fight with James Page, “He did not hurt me to the point that he did a lot of damage. He fought dirty. He thumbed me in the eye, grabbed my head and uppercutted me,” said Pendleton.
The 23-year-old Hatton has never been knocked down as an amateur or a professional and won 76 of 80 amateur bouts. “I won the bronze medal at the 1996 World Junior Championships in Havana, Cuba. It was the first time they used the computer scoring system in amateur boxing. I was disgusted about the decision that lost me the semi-final fight. I decided to turn professional because of the computer scoring system,” said Hatton, who felt that his style was more suited to the professional ranks.
“My style definitely was better suited for the pros. I was training with the professional fighters when I was a 15-year-old amateur. The UK does not like mixing the amateurs with the pros. I always had dreams of becoming a professional boxer, rather than going to the Olympics.”
Hatton’s body-punching has been very impressive in his wins to date and he knows that he cannot look past Pendleton. “I have mastered the art of body-punching, but that is not all I am. I have a lot of boxing ability, a boxing brain and the speed to go along with my power. I am improving all of the time,” said Hatton.
“I have watched a couple of tapes of Pendleton's recent fights. I really am looking forward to fighting him. I will need to be on the ball for this fight. I am more focused than ever knowing how close I am to a big fight.”
With Pendleton’s experience in travelling and taking fights at short notice, Hatton is sure to have a battle his hands to prove that he deserves his WBU title belt and WBO No.1 ranking.
Pendleton says he loves travelling to another boxer’s hometown and going up against a favourite, “I like to be the visitor and underdog. I am more motivated taking the underdog position. It makes me a lot better fighter,” and that he has not stopped learning even at this stage of his career.
“I am learning more and more as I go on. You are never too old to learn. I have learned from the best, and am looking forward to a good fight,” he said.
With WBC and WBA champion Kostya Tszyu or IBF champion Zab Judah to reign as undisputed champion after their clash November 3, it raises the question as to who Hatton believes will win.
“Both Tszyu and Judah are very different and evenly matched. I keep changing my mind as to which way I see the fight going. Judah has the speed and style to give Tszyu problems. Tszyu has the power to knock Judah out. Judah has been down a few times. If I have to lean one way, I would take Judah to win the bout. He is the younger, fresher fighter, and is on the way up. I will not be shocked if it goes either way, though,” said Hatton, while Pendleton sees a very close fight.
“I do not see any sure winner in the Tszyu-Judah fight. If Judah boxes and counterpunches well, he will win. If Judah tries to go to war, Tszyu is a little too strong and will take him out. It is a toss up fight.”
If he had a choice, Hatton would prefer to face Zab Judah as the undisputed champion. “If I had my choice of opponents, I would probably say Judah over Tszyu. It would be a better fight for me if Judah wins because of how highly rated he is with the American press and fight fans. Sometimes, Judah does some things in the ring that makes your hair stand up. Sometimes, he looks pretty lacklustre and quite ordinary,” said Hatton.
In the ShoBox co-feature, promoted by Frank Warren, Commonwealth light-welterweight champion and WBC No. 4 Eamonn Magee will defend his crown for the fourth time when he battles South African Matthew Zulu. Both fights will be shown in the USA on Showtime.
With losses this year to Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed, who does Hatton now see as the best boxer in the UK? “Joe Calzaghe and I are the best fighters in the UK,” said Hatton. “Calzaghe is a fantastic boxer. He is at his peak right now. I am 23 years old. I amstill getting faster, stronger technically and improving my stamina. I have not reached my peak. I have confidence and feel I am the one to beat in time. I do not want to walk before I run. You are only good as your next fight. I have a good fight on my hands on Saturday.”
Paul Upham
Contributing Editor
Hatton, who is also the WBO No.1, is looking for an impressive showing to a live audience on Showtime in the USA as he hopes to put himself in the mix with the best 140-pounders in the world. “Pendleton could be my toughest opponent to date. It is going to be a pleasure to share the ring with him on Saturday,” said Hatton. “I hope to achieve what Pendleton already has.”
The undefeated Hatton has had an impressive run so far, but has not been tested by an experienced former world champion such as Pendleton.
“Tony Pep was quite a good win for me. I knocked him out in four rounds. It was probably my best performance. Another good win for me was a second-round knockout over Gilbert Quiroz,” said Hatton. “I am looking forward to Saturday night. Pendleton probably has forgotten more about boxing than I know.
“I need a name to get me really motivated, and so people can see the best of me. Pendleton is a good name. This is a fight that could help raise my profile in the United States.”
Pendleton only found out about this fight last Thursday after original Hatton opponent Australian Justin Rowsell was forced out with a leg injury. Pendleton was in training for another fight and says he is in good physical condition and that he will be able to handle Hatton’s renowned body attack.
“I was supposed to fight on October 19, but the fight was cancelled. I am glad I was prepared,” said Pendleton. “I have fought a lot of fighters who had good body attacks. Hatton may go downstairs more than others, but I am prepared for everything.”
This will be 38-year-old Pendleton’s 78th fight since debuting in November 1981 and he says that he fights on for the love of the sport. “My motivation to continue fighting is that I love the sport. I love to go into the ring and perform for the audience.”
The IBF lightweight champion in 1993-94, Pendleton has a wealth of experience having fought the best of the best in his career. “Pernell Whitaker definitely is the hardest fighter I have faced out of the world champions I have been in the ring with. It was just so hard to hit him. He did a lot of things to throw me off. He did a lot of crazy stuff, but it worked for him,” said Pendleton, who has also fought Frankie Randall, Livingstone Bramble, Jorge Paez, Terronn Millett, Ben Tackie, Rafael Ruelas, Vince Phillips and Felix Trinidad.
Recalling his July 1999 WBA welterweight title fight with James Page, “He did not hurt me to the point that he did a lot of damage. He fought dirty. He thumbed me in the eye, grabbed my head and uppercutted me,” said Pendleton.
The 23-year-old Hatton has never been knocked down as an amateur or a professional and won 76 of 80 amateur bouts. “I won the bronze medal at the 1996 World Junior Championships in Havana, Cuba. It was the first time they used the computer scoring system in amateur boxing. I was disgusted about the decision that lost me the semi-final fight. I decided to turn professional because of the computer scoring system,” said Hatton, who felt that his style was more suited to the professional ranks.
“My style definitely was better suited for the pros. I was training with the professional fighters when I was a 15-year-old amateur. The UK does not like mixing the amateurs with the pros. I always had dreams of becoming a professional boxer, rather than going to the Olympics.”
Hatton’s body-punching has been very impressive in his wins to date and he knows that he cannot look past Pendleton. “I have mastered the art of body-punching, but that is not all I am. I have a lot of boxing ability, a boxing brain and the speed to go along with my power. I am improving all of the time,” said Hatton.
“I have watched a couple of tapes of Pendleton's recent fights. I really am looking forward to fighting him. I will need to be on the ball for this fight. I am more focused than ever knowing how close I am to a big fight.”
With Pendleton’s experience in travelling and taking fights at short notice, Hatton is sure to have a battle his hands to prove that he deserves his WBU title belt and WBO No.1 ranking.
Pendleton says he loves travelling to another boxer’s hometown and going up against a favourite, “I like to be the visitor and underdog. I am more motivated taking the underdog position. It makes me a lot better fighter,” and that he has not stopped learning even at this stage of his career.
“I am learning more and more as I go on. You are never too old to learn. I have learned from the best, and am looking forward to a good fight,” he said.
With WBC and WBA champion Kostya Tszyu or IBF champion Zab Judah to reign as undisputed champion after their clash November 3, it raises the question as to who Hatton believes will win.
“Both Tszyu and Judah are very different and evenly matched. I keep changing my mind as to which way I see the fight going. Judah has the speed and style to give Tszyu problems. Tszyu has the power to knock Judah out. Judah has been down a few times. If I have to lean one way, I would take Judah to win the bout. He is the younger, fresher fighter, and is on the way up. I will not be shocked if it goes either way, though,” said Hatton, while Pendleton sees a very close fight.
“I do not see any sure winner in the Tszyu-Judah fight. If Judah boxes and counterpunches well, he will win. If Judah tries to go to war, Tszyu is a little too strong and will take him out. It is a toss up fight.”
If he had a choice, Hatton would prefer to face Zab Judah as the undisputed champion. “If I had my choice of opponents, I would probably say Judah over Tszyu. It would be a better fight for me if Judah wins because of how highly rated he is with the American press and fight fans. Sometimes, Judah does some things in the ring that makes your hair stand up. Sometimes, he looks pretty lacklustre and quite ordinary,” said Hatton.
In the ShoBox co-feature, promoted by Frank Warren, Commonwealth light-welterweight champion and WBC No. 4 Eamonn Magee will defend his crown for the fourth time when he battles South African Matthew Zulu. Both fights will be shown in the USA on Showtime.
With losses this year to Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed, who does Hatton now see as the best boxer in the UK? “Joe Calzaghe and I are the best fighters in the UK,” said Hatton. “Calzaghe is a fantastic boxer. He is at his peak right now. I am 23 years old. I amstill getting faster, stronger technically and improving my stamina. I have not reached my peak. I have confidence and feel I am the one to beat in time. I do not want to walk before I run. You are only good as your next fight. I have a good fight on my hands on Saturday.”
Paul Upham
Contributing Editor
SecondsOut Weekly Newsletter
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