15.06.06 – Although simultaneously displaying to the world his boxing talent, versatility and strength, Brooklyn-based ex-champion Luis Collazo (photo by Tom Casino) lost his World Boxing Association welterweight title to Englands Ricky The Hitman Hatton by a disputed, but unanimous 12-round decision on Saturday, May 13 in Boston. Collazo looks to rematch the 27-year-old Englishman.
He said I gave him his toughest fight ever. He admitted that I hurt him on several occasions. He said he knew the fight was close. He also said he would give me a re-match, said Collazo. Now he needs to make good on that promise.Collazo willingly accepts the fairness of a heavily possible fight location of Hattons homegrounds, England..
“I’m not saying I won’t fight Collazo again, but, to be honest, I fought Collazo and I beat him,” responded Hatton. “I’d much rather fight the winner of Gatti-Baldomir or Mayweather or go back down to light welter and fight Cotto or Corrales and Castillo. If the opinion is that there are better fighters at welterweight, then I’ll stay there and if the better fighters are at junior welterweight, then I’ll move back down.”
As a result of the intense afterthoughts of the TD Banknorth Garden match and a jaw-dropping 12th and final round, talk evolved in support of a rematch. More than half of the American and British press present sided in favor of Collazo defeating Hatton, according to Don King.
Off to a rocky start, Collazo was outdone by Hatton in the first 4 rounds of the fight. The champion, however, presented a dramatic turnaround after Round 4, leaving everyone off their seats in awe. Using all his physical strengths and advantages to very often outdo Hatton, Collazo, along with his supporters and the majority of viewers, was surprised at the final call of winner.
Hatton, who may or may not remain at welterweight (he may drop to light welter), has been ordered by the WBA to fight Oktay Urkal by September.