Latest reports say that Hlatchwayo will get down to Light-welter and it is Ricky's IBO title that is at stake. Apparently Hlatchwayo fought at lightweight as recently as 2004 and is small for a welterweight.

More on Hatton.... 78.110.162.82/forum/index.php?topic=1480.0

More on Hatton.... 78.110.162.82/forum/index.php?topic=1480.0

Lazcano would be a very disappointing opponent, given that he hasn't fought in 15 months and that last fight was a loss to Vivian Harris, who then was knocked out by Junior Witter in his next fight. Witter's people would have a field day, though.

Must say I'd be disappointed with Lazcano as an opponent (which is looking likely) having said that I'll still go.

Enjoyed the Pavlik vs. Taylor catchweight fight this morning. Pavlik deserved to win, but I thought it was closer than the judges scored (117-111, 116-112 and 115-113).



A crossroads for both fighters really. Taylor's camp reckons he can't make the middleweight limit anymore and is destined to step up to super-middle; Taylor certainly looked lively at the heavier weight.



As for Pavlik, he could dominate for a while. Looks like Gary Lockett is the mandatory, whilst his promoter is pushing for Felix Trinidad at MSG (possibly around the Puerto Rican Day Parade!). John Duddy is also a money spinner. I reckon Pavlik would beat all three; bit concerned that Trinidad is becoming a circus. Would be interesting for Pavlik to fight one or two of these guys then take on either Abraham for the undisputed title or ‘Winky’ Wright.

Just heard the following - not sure if its confirmed or just rumour



Oscar De La Hoya will fight Steve Forbes ( contender II runner up)

I think that Mayweather is more interested in fleecing the [url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/69341/WWE-Press-Release-On-Floyd-Mayweather-Jr.-Appearing-At-No-Way-Out.htmwrestling public these days[/url than a match up with Hatton. He comfortably beat Hatton and tbh I don't think anyone is really that interested in a re-match over in the US because it was pretty one-sided.

[size=150Mayweather vs. De La Hoya II[/size

According to boxrec.com, a rematch will take place on September 20th of 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

boxrec = the worst source of info for upcoming fights anywhere on the net.

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7253985.stmCalzaghe "better be willing to die"[/url in his fight with Hopkins.

My only concern for this fight is that Calzaghe is stepping up to light heavyweight from super middle weight.



That is the only reason Hopkins is even going to compete imo.



I'm still thinking a Calzaghe victory though.



K/O in the 6th; he will be too strong for an aging Hopkins, and too quick as he is used to a faster pace in the lower weight division

I know it's all to build the hype around the fight and that arrogance is all part and parcel of boxing. But who is he kidding, Calzaghe will take him to pieces if he fights to anywhere near his potential.

Did anyone watch Klitchsko vs Ibragimov? Didn't catch it myself but it read like a predictable bore fest by all accounts.

Did anyone catch the John Duddy fight? That boy has got a chin but it was a nasty cut above his left eye.

An absolute dire fight. Went the full 12 rounds of Klitchsko jabbing and Ibragimov throuwing bombs but missung due to not enough reach. One of the commentators summed it up when they said that Klitchsko is terrified of getting knocked out. He just dambs away with his jab until his apponant is so out of it he can guarantee a win by knock out. If his opponent stands up to the bombs, Klitchsko goes back to the jab. Slow, boring and not what you expect from a unification fight. Some one said that Klitchsko has the physic of a champion and talent of a champion but a questionable chin, this makes him unbelievably cautious. Everyone wants to love him but until he puts in some special performances, he will continue to be boo'd as he was last night.

There isn't a fighter either side of Mayweather's weight who has a chance against him. Cotto's game, but he's not bringing anything more to the table than Hatton, apart from more power.



Can't understand the disrespect PBF gets TBH.



Anyone who thinks Calzaghe's going to walk all over Hopkins is asking to look stupid. Hopkins may be getting on but he's got enough ability and brains to cause Calzaghe strife.



And there's the fact that Zag's fighting away from home. Judges in Vegas may as well sit in the casino all through the fight: the American wins. Calzaghe'd have to knock Bernard out cold to get a split decision.



Klitsch is just too cautious. Who wants to pay to watch THAT?

Cotto is the nearest to a real challenge; the way he dealt with Mosley was very impressive. Yet as you say, Mayweather is [ithat[/i much better. I've never seen anyone evade onslaughts like him. It makes his defence relative to a Pernell Whittaker or a ‘Winky’ Wright.







I'm not sure whether Hopkins style suits Calzaghe either. Bernard (Bernárd?) could bore his way to victory.

The thing about Mayweather is he only does what it takes to win - and no more. Pundits slaughter him because he's never been tested in a "War" (whatever that is), but why should he get involved in the meaty stuff when he doesn't need to?



What I will say is that if he ever did have to go to war, he's got the tools and the guts to do the job.



The way he swerved out of harms way to KTFO Hatton (who has a solid chin) is all you need to know. Sheer genius.

Mayweather was very impressive defensively against De La Hoya too, who had the weight advantage on Mayweather. He tried to hit Mayweather with a flurry of shots, but barely hit him due to impressive defence. I think he landed around 20% of his overall punches and he threw double what Mayweather did.



Btw, SSN has confirmed that Juan Lazcano will be Ricky Hatton's next opponent on 24th May. Paul Maglignaggi is likely to be on the undercard and is likely to be Hatton's next opponent after Lazcano.

De La Hoya has been on a serious slide for the past five years. That fight was always a safe bet for Mayweather. DLH looked decent for the first five rounds and then a) he ran out of gas and b) Mayweather worked him out.



Lazcano is a warm-up fighter. Nothing more. He'll put up a good show and that's it. Maglignaggi is durable but has no punch. Hatton should make short work of him - providing he's not mentally shot after Mayweather drank his blood.



Hatton's doing himself no favours in the eyes of boxing fans by appearing to dodge Witter. I mean, I can understand him not taking the fight because of Witter's grass-height profile, but Witter's been bad-mouthing him for far too long to let go.



The problem is he's A LOT better than people give credit. He's ten times the fighter who lost to Zab Judah a few years ago on a short notice call-up.



Witter can't be ignored forever. He's knocking over the competition.

Hatton has said Witter needs to raise his profile in the States to get the American TV companies interested and then he will fight him.

Maybe, but who has Witter fought that you would consider to be that good? He looked good in his last fight against a decent fighter in Vivian Harris, but he needs to go to America and fight some big name fighters. Jose Luis Castillo would be a good start and it is rumoured. I'm sure if he can prove himself in America with a couple of big name fights, then Hatton will give him his shot. I reckon Hatton would beat Witter and finally shut him up.

Me too and I hope they get it on at some stage. Witter to me seems to do nothing but take shots at Hatton yet never fights anyone himself. He should keep quiet and take on some better opponents IMO.

Had to laugh at Witter making out he was being generous saying he would be prepared to split the purse 70/30 in Hatton's favour should they meet.



Of course he would, even with that split it would probably be 50 times what he's earned before in a fight.



IMO Witter needs to pipe down and know that Hatton is the one who's calling all the shots. If he can do that and other things go as planned, then you never know they might just be sharing a ring in about 14 months time.





And for what It's worth I think Witter is hugely improved of late and would be a very difficult nights work for Ricky.

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7269414.stmWilliams "slams" Holyfield / Tyson rematch.[/url