26.09 - Ricky Hatton, Manchester's Hitman reloads and takes aim on September 28th against fellow countryman Stephen Smith in the seventh defence of his WBU Light Welterweight Championship. Nothing less than a stunning performance is expected when Hatton sets out to nail the man from Hammersmith in front of his beloved Manchester fans.
June 1st saw Hatton in a make or break domestic showdown with Belfast's, Eamonn Magee. In a classic contrast of styles, Hatton tasted the canvas for the first time in his career during the first round. The Hitman refocused and out gunned Magee with reluctant pressure to win a twelve round verdict.
Hatton has climbed up the world rankings to WBC#2 and WBA#3. He has maintained his WBO#1 position for De Marcus Corley, but there is no sign of that fight being made. Everything must be sharp and well calculated from now on in, if Ricky wants his chance against the Undisputed Light Welterweight King, Kostya Tszyu. Ricky has to keep winning and Stephen Smith is the next fighter in his way. Smith has to be disposed of.
Stephen "Stunning" Smith is relevantly unknown even within domestic Boxing fan circles. Smith came more to light on the BBC recently in the UK, fighting on the Audley Harrison undercard. Many Boxing fans around the world will have never heard of him. This is why Ricky Hatton has to look good, especially as Showtime are broadcasting this fight in the United States. Many American observers will be saying Stephen "Who".
To Smiths credit he has a record of 31 wins 16 KOs and only one loss. The 29 year old southpaw started his professional career as a Super Featherweight in Leverkusen, Germany in September 1994 winning a fifth round TKO against Marty Chestnut. While Smith was living and fighting within Germany, he captured the German International Super Featherweight title in 1996. He later returned home to the United Kingdom fighting as a lightweight were he won the IBF Intercontinental Championship in seven rounds against Gary Flear on March 6th 1999. His only defeat came at the hands of British prospect, Bobby Vanzie for the British and Commonwealth Lightweight titles. Vanzie "Stunned" Smith with a TKO finish in round nine in February 2000.
Smith returned to wining fashion, after four more fights he won the IBC strap at Light Welterweight in four rounds against Zoltan Kalocscai in March 2001. Smith's latest fight was against Mexican Rocky Martinez, a fan favourite of Chicago, IL. Martinez has mixed in good company, although this was a ugly fight at times, Smith netted the win.
Stephen Smith is always in tremendous condition and does process talent, but is limited. His camp see this as their big opportunity to break into the big time and they are training Stephen hard to wreck Ricky Hatton's dreams. Stephen Smith is the type of fighter that Hatton can showcase himself against. I don't see Smiths southpaw stance causing many problems. Ricky will not have to go looking for him, which will suit him fine. This will give "The Hitman" target practice and we should see Hatton firing his trademark shots to the body.
It is all about keeping Hatton busy. I believe that with Hatton's physical strengths and attacking style he will over power Smith and wear him down. Hatton will be able to move Smith into position to land the attack around the side. Remember, Smiths only loss was a TKO in round nine at Lightweight. Hatton's very strong at Light Welterweight and will go for the stoppage around the middle rounds. Hatton has no choice but to "Hammer Smith".
Personal thoughts on Ricky Hatton
At this stage, Ricky is looking good. He is exciting to watch and has a brilliant old school fighting style. His body attacks are world class as he mimics his idol Roberto Duran. On the down side, Hatton cuts badly and this could affect him at a higher level. He process's heart. This was shown against Jonathan Thaxton for the British title and when Hatton was knocked down against Eamonn Magee in round one. This was caused by Ricky dropping his left hand and he should work on this. Magee will have taught him a lesson. At times Ricky spoils his own work and he knows it. This hopefully can be avoided and fights like Smith will help improve on this.
Hatton's fight with Magee was to move either fighter out of the domestic circuit, hopefully we don't see him in many more all British fights, even against Junior Witter. Every fighter has to be moved along at the correct time. Hatton enters his 30th professional on Saturday, so the time is arriving soon to see what he is made of.
The Light Welterweight division had a classic fight this year. Arturo Gatti Vs Micky Ward. That was a fight. A rematch is happening in November and with fighters like Gatti and Ward around, it would be fantasising to see Hatton matched with either of these two fighters at some stage next year. This would be his make or break fight. A risk certainly, but if successful would generate huge interest in matching Ricky Hatton with Kostya Tszyu. Hatton needs to be winning harder fights in order to prepare him for a fighter of the calibre of Tszyu. If Ricky Hatton faced Kostya Tszyu purely off his ranking, he would be straight in at the deep end. Trouble would be ahead. Preparation with tough fights is the key. But not every key opens locks, so we will have to wait and see if Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton's fits.
Well that's from a fight fans perspective. If it was only like that. What are your thought on this?
Questions and Comments to chris_esboxing@hotmail.com
