by James Slater: There is no doubt about it, Ricky Hatton is still obsessed about a rematch with the only man to have ever beaten him,in Floyd Mayweather Junior. And though many fight fans feel “The Hitman” should forget all about a return match with “Pretty Boy,” because of Floyd’s overall superiority and his being better suited at the weight limit of 147 pounds, Ricky is still intent on extracting revenge over the only man to have ever beaten him as a professional..
Speaking recently with The Sunday Mirror, Hatton offered Mayweather the opportunity to fight him at a different weight than what the two men boxed at when they met in December of 2007.Accepting the opinion of many that the welterweight limit was the overwhelming factor that led to his KO loss, Ricky suggested the possibility of the return fight taking place at a catch-weight.
“The fight doesn’t have to be at welterweight,” Hatton told The Sunday Mirror. “it could be catch weight, say 143 or 144 pounds. That would be somewhere between our best weights and make it a level playing field. I’m sure Floyd could come down a few pounds easily enough. He’s not the biggest welterweight, so it wouldn’t be a problem for him to make the fight at catch-weight.”
It’s easy to see the logic behind Hatton’s thinking, but it is also extremely easy to see why Floyd Mayweather would look at such an option as a complete no-go. Never a fighter to give up any advantage, “Money” would almost certainly balk at the suggestion of a fight at 140 to 144 pounds. And why not? Let’s not forget, Floyd himself is no natural welterweight. In fact, Floyd began his pro career at a much lower poundage than what “The Hitman” began his at.
Floyd’s first pro bout saw him weigh-in at 131 pounds, while Ricky’s saw him tip the scales at 140. And yes, Floyd is the taller man – but only by a mere inch and a half. It is clear that Mayweather is the more adept fighter when it comes to proving himself in different weight classes.
Let’s face it, “Pretty Boy” could very easily have continued to make a name for himself at either 135 or 140 pounds. As such he should justifiably ignore Ricky Hatton’s invitation to box a rematch at any weight lower that 147 pounds.
In the final analysis Floyd is no more a natural welterweight than Ricky.