Wayne McCullough - Sky Sports Expert

Hitman to rebound

Styles will contrast in Las Vegas

Posted: 20th November 2008 11:16

Send an email to Wayne McCulloughEmail Wayne McCullough

hatton malignaggi

Hatton and Malignaggi square up

If Ricky has improved his conditioning and doesn't fade down the stretch, he should be able to take care of business.

Wayne McCullough
Quotes of the week

Also see

Both Ricky "Hitman" Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi are coming off wins in Manchester this past May. This coming weekend, they will face each other centre ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena but there is no major championship at stake.

Is Malignaggi a threat to Hatton? Can he do anything to upset Hatton's aggressive style? We'll find out the answers to these questions very soon.

In the strength department, the advantage clearly belongs to the "Hitman". He generates hard punches with his non-stop style. We won't have long to wait to find out if his new trainer, Floyd Mayweather Snr, had been a positive change for him or if this adjustment will disrupt him.

Having met up and had a chat with Hatton, he seems very confident and believes his new training regime will not hurt. He knows that he shouldn't change his style, just make it better, which is what I would have done for him as a trainer.

Malignaggi has quick hands, lightning fast footwork and uses every inch of the boxing ring each time he fights. He doesn't punch hard but his long swooping shots are accurate and could cause cuts - so Ricky needs to steer clear. He likes to fight on the outside, get in, punch and get back out.

More to give?

The longer fights suit Malignaggi as he is more of a distance fighter typically winning on points. He doesn't seem to care if he gets a knockout. He can take it too as he showed against Miguel Cotto in June 2006. He got busted up, receiving a facial injury during the bout, but stayed in the fight to the end. Did this fight take a lot out of Malignaggi or does he have more to give?

Malignaggi has won four straight fights on points, struggling a little in his two fights with Lovemore N'Dou where he got hit easily but didn't get hurt. Many fighters don't want to fight Malignaggi because of his hand speed and hit and move style.

There are two ways that Malignaggi could pose a threat to Hatton's hope of a win - if Hatton is done or if his new trainer has mixed up his style. In my opinion, Hatton still has plenty left in the tank and I don't think his new trainer has caused any problems.

Everyone, including Malignaggi, has a 50 / 50 chance of winning since it only takes one punch to end a fight and styles make fights, but Hatton is fighting at his best weight and has recovered from his recent KO loss to Floyd Mayweather Jnr. If he has improved his conditioning and doesn't fade down the stretch, he should be able to take care of business.

Hatton needs to be the boss using his strength and aggressiveness to dictate the pace of the fight. He should work the body when he gets close, moving his head as he comes forward staying behind a quick left jab. Hopefully he has also been working at cutting off the ring.

Ricky can make this an easy fight for himself and possibly come away with a KO win.

Comments

Rayne Jennings says...

Hatton will swamp Mallignaggi, simple as that. The hand speed of Mallignaggi is something special, but it wont save him from the relentless pace and preassure of Hatton's boxing style. Mallignaggi will be using the whole ring, but not out of choice. Mallignaggi's footwork is credited in this article, but we can't forget about Hatton's movement, he'll close the ring down and keep Mallignaggi on the back foot, and if it's right what we're hearing about Hatton's improved build up play (like the good old days), then Mallignaggi's in real trouble.

Posted 01:56 21st November 2008

Darren Brown says...

If Hatton can attack him and get control early he will easily out power the "Magic" man. Malignaggi is quick but lacks the big power, but he is still a threat. I hope Mayweather Snr hasnt spoiled the greatness of Hatton on the front foot, only improved his shakey defence. Im going for a Hatton stoppage in the 5th.

Posted 17:56 20th November 2008

Tom Lane says...

After watching "The Magic Man Paulie Malignaggi" documentary on Sky Sports i have to say the guy has risen in my estimations. He's undoubtably quick, talks a good fight but one thing then came out is his courage. Against Cotto he was cut in the first down in the 2nd and almost turned the fight around. Its going to be a busy night for Ricky but one i think he'll deal with.

Posted 16:15 20th November 2008

Gary Sampson says...

As long as Ricky sticks to what he does best he will again be victorious this Saturday night. He is back at the right weight and will be to much for the less explosive Malignaggi who with only 5 knock outs to his name will not be making it 6 this week. Hatton to win within 6 rounds.

Posted 12:29 20th November 2008

Page 1 of 1

Add Comment*

All fields are required

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

Character Count : 0/1950

Please tick here if you wish to receive emails relating to Sky Sports.com or any other companies, services or products related to Sky Sports.com

Please send me the weekly Sky Sportszine - exclusive content, features and competitions to my inbox every Friday.

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private