09.12.03 – By Spud Woollatt: Regardless of how confident the connections and fans of Ricky Hatton are, surely they must acknowledge in his 11th defence of his WBU World Light Welterweight Title he faces his sternest test yet. Hatton faces the hard hitting, durable, and some would still say World rated Ben Tackie of Ghana.
Is Hatton facing Tackie at the right time? I suppose there are 2 ways of looking at this question, on one hand you could say yes, as many would argue that the Ghananian’s career is on the slide with 2 defeats in his last 3 fights, but then you would not have to look too closley to see those defeats were against the 2 best Light Welterweights in the world, Tszyu and Mitchell respectively.
But what of Hatton? Clearly the time has come when Hatton has to cement his talent into world class credentials. For a long time the boxing public throughout the UK has screamed from the roof tops for Hatton to prove his worth on the world stage, and no one will be able to deny that victory on Saturday evening will prove exactly that. If the style of victory is convincing it will surely have even Hatton’s loudest and most vocal critics running for cover, admitting that just maybe they have got Hatton wrong.
What are the chances of Tackie? Well, he has already arrived in Britain and in addition he has been greeted to some of the British Press and is clearly in a very confident mood by stating that Ricky Hatton was chicken not to attend the same press conference. Tackie has also eluded to the fact that he will cut Hatton to ribbons, this being one of the concerns of Hattons fans, that their charge having been cut too easily in previous fights.
This reporter feels the fight could be won and lost in those first few rounds, will Tackie do what Eammon Magee did and catch Hatton early with his stinging punches? or will Tackie wonder what the hell he has let himself in for as Hatton starts his trademark body punching onslaught early rather than taking a good look at his foe Tackie? People should also note Hatton has only been beyond 8 rounds 3 times in his 33 fight career where as Tackie has been over the 8 round mark over 16 times in his 29 fight career.
The fight is an exciting one as it will answer many questions which so many people feel need answering.
British Eastside predicts a convincing points victory for Hatton which to some maybe a bit dissapointing but Eastside feels there are going to be plenty of thrills and spills on the way to Hattons victory