Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs), arguably the best 140 pounder in boxing, will try to get back his winning form against Juan Lazcano (37-4-1, 27 KOs) this Saturday in Hatton's home turf of Manchester U.K. in front of an expected crowd of 55,000. In Hatton's last fight, against the best 147 pounder in the world, Floyd Mayweather, he literally walked into a left hook, then when he regained his senses, he walked out of the ring with his first loss--by KO at that.
Hatton Fans
Hatton carries a unique burden in the sport of boxing. Besides the usual baggage that comes along with being an champion--every opponent is hungry, motivated, and ready to bring their best effort and the distractions of money and fame--Hatton's career is complicated by fans who are fans in the strictest sense of the word, they are fanatics.
Case in point: Even after Hatton lost to Mayweather in humiliating fashion, his fans continued to sing "There's Only One Ricky Hatton" (to the tune of "Winter Wonderland") while Hatton was being interviewed in the ring after the fight. (Yes it works, remarkably well).
While one can certainly argue that such fan support is a plus, fighters like Mayweather openly envy Hatton's popularity, there is undeniable pressure in being a hero, especially a boxing hero.
Hatton's Boxing Style
Boxing careers are short anyway, but pressure fighters, like Hatton, 29, often enjoy even less time in the spotlight, and the degradation of skills is often mercilessly quick. But fighters retain the will to fight, and the desire to remain a hero, long after their reflexes have slowed and their instincts begin to betray them.
Lazcano Motivated
For 33-year-old Lazcano, his best days as a boxer are certainly behind him, he had even retired after his most recent fight, a loss to Vivian Harris in February 2007, but the opportunity to fight for a title, even if it is only "The Ring" magazine title, is a powerful motivator.
Known as "The Hispanic Causing Panic," Lazcano hasn't caused any real panic in the ring since he beat Stevie Johnson in 2003, but in his mind, of course, he believes he is still capable of giving Hatton a case of the jitters.
Hatton and Lazcano is a Good Fight
What Lazcano will bring is a good fight. His old school Mexican style of wearing down the body and lopping off the head is actually a little more exciting than Hatton's, who does his fair share of holding on the inside. Rest assured, plenty of leather will land on both sides.
The fight, scheduled to air at 3:30 PM Eastern/12:30 PM Pacific this Saturday, will be distributed by Sky Sports and televised in the USA on the Versus Network.
Fighter's records are sourced from Boxrec.com and are subject to change.
