By James Slater: Set to take place this Saturday night in California, the Saul Alvarez-Matthew Hatton WBC light-middleweight title fight could be in trouble. Ricky Hatton, brother of course of “Magic” Matthew, in speaking with The Daily Mail, says he has advised his brother to “walk away” if the Mexican weighs-in at any more 150-pounds.
The fight, when first signed, was agreed to take place at 150, but then the WBC went ahead and sanctioned the bout as for their vacant light-middleweight belt. Now, the Hattons fear “Canelo” will look to gain a huge advantage by coming in above the agreed weight – even if he will have to forfeit a reported 30-percent of his purse if he does so.
“Our contract with Golden Boy stipulates both fighters come in at or under 150-pounds,” Ricky Hatton said. “If Alvarez is above that I would want Matthew to call it off. He is already giving away weight to a bigger man. This lad [Alvarez] doesn’t look to me like he’s draining down to the agreed limit. I’m wondering if he’s just going to come in at his usual poundage, pay the fine that’s in the contract and expect the fight to go on.”
Hatton’s lawyer, Gareth Williams, was even more forceful with his choice of words, reports The Daily Mail – with Williams insisting the fight will “be off” if Alvarez comes in above the agreed weight of 150. Interestingly, Matthew Hatton himself is not as up in arms as are his brother and lawyer.
“I’ve heard what’s being said but I want to believe Alvarez will honour our agreement,” Matthew said. If not, it will cost him a third of his purse ……… and give us a decision to make.”
So, the fight happening could well depend on 20-year-old Alvarez’ current weight. Is he able to weigh as low as 150 the day after tomorrow, or will he be hoping that his coming in at above that will not persuade Hatton to walk? As fans may remember, the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo rematch went ahead in 2005, even though Castillo came in much heavier than the lightweight limit the bout was to have been fought at. “Chico,” ever the warrior, went ahead with the fight, but he paid the price as he was stopped in the 4th-round.
Hatton was already looked at by most judges as a considerable underdog going into Saturday’s fight with the red-hot Alvarez. If the natural welterweight agrees to go ahead with a fight against a 154-pound (on the scale) Canelo, his chances of winning will appear even slimmer!