Saul Alvarez-Matthew Hatton Official For March 5th

By James Slater: One of the most exciting, talented and talked about fighters of recent years will square off with one of Great Britain’s most recently improved fighters on March 5th, as Mexican hot prospect Saul Alvarez will meet Matthew Hatton of Manchester, England in L.A. ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael has written how the fight is a go and will be announced by Golden Boy as official tomorrow afternoon.

The 147-pound fight had been spoken about as a real possibility for a while, and most fans, upon hearing about the match-up, declared there could only be one winner: the 20-year-old known as “Canelo.” However, those who know “Magic” Matthew and have seen him in action know he will be no pushover for the “next big thing.”

Both Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer claim they anticipate a tough fight, too. De La Hoya insisted to ESPN.com that Alvarez would be foolish to look past the 29-year-old who currently holds the European welterweight crown.

“I think it’s an exciting fight,” Oscar said. “So far, Canelo has dominated the name fighters he has faced, but he is well advised not to take Matthew Hatton lightly. Just remember – there is only one Matthew Hatton.”

That last comment refers to Hatton’s big brother Ricky and his infamous “There’s only one Ricky Hatton” anthem. For years now, Matthew has been toiling away, attempting to get out from under the shadow of “The Hitman.” A win over Alvarez would likely do it for him. And Schafer, like De La Hoya, is talking up the Brit’s chances.

“Matthew Hatton is not coming just to pick up a cheque,” Schaefer said. “He is coming to Los Angeles to pick up a win. He is ready to show the young boy what a man can do.”

And whatever disadvantages he may have, Hatton does have the maturity that comes with being in his late 20s. Hatton has been a pro now for over ten years and he has had more fights than Alvarez. At 41-4-1(16), Hatton has a good record and he has been in with some quality men; more so recently. This is not to say Alvarez is still at novice stage – far from it. Despite being barely out of his teens, Alvarez has already notched up 35 wins and a sole draw. Alvarez, too, has met some good names.

The two have a common opponent in Lovemore N’dou, who lost a 12-rounder to the Mexican and held the Manchester favourite to a draw over 12-rounds. To be fair, though, most people had Hatton winning the Nov. 2009 bout. Alvarez met “The Black Panther” in his last bout, back in December, and he received mixed reviews for his performance. In his showing before that, Alvarez really did look the business though.

Stopping the rock-chinned Carlos Baldomir with a sizzling punch in the 6th-round, “Canelo” looked the real deal. It will be this Alvarez that Hatton should be preparing for.

Hatton doesn’t figure to go easily, and he truly does feel he can win (so says big brother, Ricky). Will the size of the event get to Hatton? Will Alvarez’ power be too much for him? Or will Hatton take Alvarez to a place he’s never been before and either beat him or show he is not quite the “sure thing” good judges say he is?

Alvarez has to be looked at as the favourite, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if Hatton extended him for all 12-rounds just as N’dou did.