27.08.05 – By Ron Widelec: The 140 pound division has long been ranked among the most talent-rich in the boxing world. At any given time, the top-10 rankings are loaded with fighters capable of being serious and respected champions. One thing, however, has been lacking in this division. The junior welterweights need a super-fight. Now is the time to make this fight happen.. Now is the time to give fans the junior welterweight super-fight we are all denied when Kostya Tszyu sent Judah dancing to the canvas in only two rounds.
Sadly, however, it seems that Floyd Mayweather would rather look into higher divisions rather than face the top dog at 140 pounds; Ricky Hatton. They have a combined record of 73-0 and beautifully matched styles. In fact, they represent the perfect foil for each other to show how great they can really be.
Hatton is a raging bull type fighter, always moving forward, throwing vicious punches, and is relentless in this attack. Mayweather is a about as slick as they come. Unlike other slick-ster type fighters, he doesn’t run in the ring. He is somehow able to stand directly in front of his opponents and yet avoid being hit.
This would be a prime example of a boxer-brawler fight, in the same vain as Ali/Fraiser and Robinson/LaMotta. Mayweather and Hatton are as good at their respective styles as is anything in the sport today.
Recently, Mayweather has been in talks with Winky Wright at 154 and Zab Judah at 147. No doubt, these fights would be excellent and dangerous for all involved, but why has the prospect of a Hatton fight been left behind. Mayweather has faced top-quality opposition for several years now, rarely stepping down in the caliber of opponents, so it its doubtful that he is simply ducking Hatton. But this would be a missed opportunity for both fighters, for the fans, for the division, and for boxing in general, which is badly in need of as many super-fights as possible.
Mayweather needs to resist the temptation to jump weight classes (a temptation to which far too many fighters have succumbed) and unify the Junior Welterweight division. There is plenty of time for Pretty Boy Floyd to make a name for himself at 147 and above. Now is the time of the Junior Welterweights. Now is the time for Mayweather v. Hatton.
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