by James Slater: The ultra-experienced Ronnie Shields, the trainer of Juan Lazcano, is convinced his fighter will beat Ricky Hatton in less than four days time. One of the main factors that Shields believes will lead to “The Hitman’s” downfall is the 29-year-old’s lifestyle out of the ring when he’s not in training..
Most fans, if not all, are aware of Ricky’s fondness for drinking the odd beer and eating junk food when he’s not got a fight coming up. Seriously ballooning up in weight as a result, (Ricky apparently has two sets of all his clothes – one set for when he’s in shape, the other for when he’s not) many feel this will take a toll on the fighter one day soon. Shields feels this has already happened.
Speaking to Sky Sports recently, the trainer of Juan Lazcano explained his theory.
“He [Hatton] lives a very bad lifestyle for a fighter,” Shields began. “Anyone who goes out and drinks the way he does, it has to take an effect. Personally, I think it started taking an effect in the Floyd Mayweather fight. Floyd Mayweather isn’t a big puncher, yet Floyd knocked Ricky out. As could be seen, round after round, Hatton got more and more tired and that’s for the simple reason that his lifestyle is starting to take effect on him.”
Shields may have a valid point. I for one never felt Mayweather would KO Hatton going into last December’s big fight. Out-point, even outclass Hatton, yes. But not knock him out. Yet this is what happened. Of course, it had a lot to do with “Pretty Boy’s” pretty precise and fast punches, but Hatton is known for having a good chin. So, is Ronnie Shields correct? Is “The Hitman’s” lifestyle beginning to catch up with him? Maybe.
It’s unlikely the Hatton faithful, or Ricky himself for that matter, will accept it, but another loss may be on the cards soon, primarily due to the 29-year-old’s habit of binge drinking and eating – a habit he seems unlikely to change. It may not come on Saturday, against “The Hispanic (who hopes to be) Causing (more) Panic,” but it could come within Hatton’s next few fights.
Shields, however, feels it will come in Hatton’s very next fight, and that his man will be the one doing the celebrating afterwards. We will soon see!