Boxing / Alex Steedman / 18 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Alex Steedman detects extra enthusiasm in The Hitman's training regime and believes the scoreboard at the MGM Grand could read: Manchester 1, New York 0.

Frank Sinatra was one of a few who were wise to the difference a day can make, "24 little hours." Ricky Hatton must have wondered the same over the past 12, sometimes tortuous, months.

This time last year, The Hitman was fine tuning preparations for the biggest fight of his life, against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. Ten rounds in, the Englishmen was on his backside, a world - literally - turned upside down.

By his own admission, Hatton struggled with the notion of defeat and the manner of it for some time after. His May win over Juan Lazcano might have exercised some of the boxer's internal demons but it failed to convince the wider fight fraternity. Staggered by punches in rounds 8 and 10, from a career lightweight performer at that, the Mancunian muncher's practice of binge and box was coming home to roost said the experts. The end was nigh.

Certainly with this fight in mind, I was preparing to back Paul Malignaggi as far back as June. I even thought that the powder puffer himself had an outrageous shot at stopping Hatton. I have alas, woken from that slumber.

Not one for making excuses, the truth is Hatton probably should have been pulled from the Lazcano fight. Battling a virus throughout training camp, he completed only six of his usual 15 signature wrap up rounds on the infamous Billy Graham body bag. But with 57,000 tickets sold, the show had to go on and Hatton did well just to finish, let alone dominate the fight.

Many have questioned Hatton's form since taming Kostya Tzsyu but he's overcome illness as well as moving up in weight to beat all bar Mayweather, and Malignaggi isn't likely to threaten the pound-for-pound lists anytime soon. The American is just four fights into world class, Hatton has been moving in these distinguished circles for some time now.

But the brash New Yorker has a chance. Malignaggi is fast on his feet and quick with the jab and his hopes rest on using those to check Hatton's momentum. Repeated surgery on a troublesome right hand has hindered Malignaggi's pop and with only five stoppages in 26 fights, it's a worry that he may not command Hatton's respect. Certainly against Miguel Cotto, his only defeat, Malignaggi proved he's got the bottle to back up the brag. He can pick up points and survive but can he do more?

Certainly Hatton doesn't hit like Cotto but he brings a more insistent and swarming pressure as well as a speed of foot that may be underestimated. Hatton has faced a Mayweather, Malignaggi hasn't faced a Hatton. Neither has he faced a Mayweather, but he will this weekend with the presence of Floyd Senior - somewhat surprisingly - in Hatton's corner.
Many wonder at the wisdom of appointing a renowned defensive genius as trainer to an aggressive pressure fighter. But surely a great coach is just that, and with more than one arrow in the quiver too.

I detect a renewed enthusiasm in Hatton because of the change and I think he'll benefit from it. There may be more movement on the way in, while working a little more and holding less on the inside but otherwise I think it will be business as usual. Or maybe a case of normal service resumed.

And that against a man who wakes up in a city that never sleeps, except when an unforgiving blue moon descends.

Verdict: Hatton to win
Method of victory: Points
Total rounds: 7-12