Boxing has always been my favorite combat sport, and for a time I was of the opinion that the heavyweights were the ones to watch-out for. Over the last few years however, my opinion regarding this has been drastically changed.
Of the 18 weight divisions from strawweight to heavyweight there is very little doubt in my mind now, that the best "bang for the buck" exists in the welterweight division.
It now appears that there is more blood, sweat and tears in the 140-147 pound weight-class than all the heavyweight tonnage combined. The welters have continually shown that they are the hardest punchers, the slickest boxers, and the pound for pound best in the world of boxing.
Some the fighters names of which I speak are, Miguel cotto, Paul Williams, Shane Mosely, Antonio Margarito, Zab Judah, and Kermit Cintron.
Ricky "the hit-man" Hatton is a Junior Welterweight Champion Boxer, but he's also a boxer with a rare mental toughness that's usually only found in long distance marathon runners and para-troopers, and the odd prisoner of war.
Ricky Hattons opponent-now tentatively set for a may 2nd. showdown-is none other than Philippino superstar Manny"pacman" Pacquiao, who is nearing sainthood in his home country and is Ring Magazines fighter of the year for the 2nd. time in three years.
These two fighters virtually guarantee to produce the type fireworks that are only seen on Canada Day, and 4th. of July celebrations in the US. May and June is usually a great time of year for weddings and this is a marriage of the fistic variety that that was born deep down in the trenches of a pugilistic hell.
These two welterweight warriors are both coming off great wins; Hatton over Paulie Mallignaggi and the "pacmans" outstanding win over the "Golden boy" of boxing, Oscar De La Hoya. Manny Pacquiao secured his legacy as a future Hall Of Famer and pound-for-pound best in the world by moving up 2 weight classes to meet Oscar De La Hoya in a head-on collision.
Manny Pacquiao looked terrific during this fight, and to be honest, Oscar looked like an old-shop worn-fighter with dulling reflexes who would be serving his family, fans, and the rest of boxing world a great service by hanging up his gloves for good.
My prediction for this May 2nd. slug-fest between the "pacman" and the "hit-man" is a grueling 12 round war; the kind of which that hasn't been seen since 1954 when Jake Lamotta-The Raging Bull-lost a split decision to Ray Robinson at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The key to victory here will be an over looked one, Floyd Mayweather Sr vs Freddie Roach.
Look for Ricky the "hitman" to come away victorious and recapture the fame and glory that eluded him in the Mayweather fight, after that, I'm looking for Hatton to try and lure Mayweather out of retirement for another super-fight, only this time it will be held on English soil.
If Ricky Hatton goes on to win his next two fights against Pacquiao and possibly little Floyd Mayweather, he will go down in history as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers that ever lived, and then there will truly be "only one Ricky Hatton.
Source: bleacherreport.com
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