Hatton-Malignaggi Preview

Previews

Ricky Hatton returns to the ring this Saturday on HBO to take on former light welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi. The fight will take place in Las Vegas, which is a shame as the two did a great job of setting up this fight in Manchester earlier this year. The crowd will be lively as Hatton’s British contingent travels well, but it would have been even greater in his hometown. Both men have one loss to their record and Malignaggi is two years younger than the 30-year old Hatton.

Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi ( IBO Light Welterweight Title)
Money Line: Hatton -260; Malignaggi +200

Ricky Hatton has made quite a career out of smothering his opponents and peppering them with body shots. He was unable to do that in his lone loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr and Malignaggi hopes to use his quickness to avoid and counter Hatton’s pressure. Lately, Hatton has not looked like the fighter that his reputation built. Malignaggi is a good fight for Hatton to see where he stands at this point in his career.

Paulie Malignaggi is not the fighter his reputation would lead you to believe either. Malignaggi is built-up as a slick, ultra-quick boxer but he had difficulty outboxing Lovemore N’dou and Herman Ngoudjo in his last two fights. Malignaggi does have a strong chin, as he showed in surviving 12 rounds with Miguel Cotto, and while his quickness is certainly an asset, it’s not an overwhelming advantage over Hatton.

Fight Predictions

Corey: Hatton and Malignaggi are widely regarded as the best two junior welterweights in the game today based on accomplishment, and their styles are as different as they could be, which should translate into a fun fight. Hatton is one of the best muggers in the sport while Malignaggi regards himself as one of the best boxers out there.

I, on the other hand, don’t think much of Malignaggi or his supposed boxing superiority. His boxing skills have garnered way too much praise considering he’s struggled with guys like Ngoudjo and even Lovemore NDou in their rematch earlier this year. Hatton’s looking for one more big fight and can’t afford to lose this one, so he’s coming to knock Paulie out. Malignaggi doesn’t have enough pop to keep Hatton off of him, but his ability to survive carries him to the final bell, where he loses a unanimous decision to the “Hitman,” 116-112.

Trent: I agree with Corey that Paulie Malignaggi seems to be his own #1 fan but I do think he will be able to beat Hatton. This is a tough fight for me to call, because I’m not impressed with Hatton as of late, either. I think the skill of both fighters is overrated but the will of each fighter is underrated. I don’t see either fighter going away in the final rounds, making for what should be a fun finish. It’s a decision all the way in this bout, and I’m going to side with Ricky Hatton as well. He shouldn’t have any fear of Malignaggi’s power and that will allow him to stay in front of Paulie with confidence.