14-11-2007 Boxing Betting - Hatton & Mayweather to Make Boxing History

Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather and Ricky “the Hitman” Hatton meet on December 9th (GMT) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, in a WBC Welterweight world title fight billed as the ‘Undefeated’.

Between them the pair have fought 81 times without loss, and this keenly anticipated contest, bringing together two of the best fighters in the world, is set to become one of the richest bouts, and most intriguing betting contests, in boxing history.

Mayweather is priced 1.415 favourite, with leading boxing oddsmaker, PinnacleSports.com, who make Hatton 3.210 to steal his crown. Judged on pure boxing ability that seems a fair assessment, given Mayweather is rated ‘pound-for-pound’ the best fighter around.

Styles Makes Fights

In boxing, styles make fights, and many pundits see this contest conforming to the classic slugger (Hatton) versus pure-fighter (Mayweather). Pretty Boy is favourite with Pinnacle because he possesses the superior boxing skills, but though the Manchester Mexican is known for his courage, stamina and relentless punching, he has been astute enough to adapt his tactics in recent fights, as he has faced higher class opposition, and is likely to do so again for the most important fight of his career.

Mayweather’s last bout saw him move up seven pounds (from 147 to 154) to take the Super Welterweight title from Oscar De La Hoya. ‘Pretty Boy’ won on a split decision with Compubox numbers (which record all the key fight metrics) showing that despite throwing half as many punches as De La Hoya, Mayweather landed considerably more. Nevertheless, the judges’ unanimous decision was roundly jeered by a crowd disappointed at Mayweather’s incredibly defensive approach to the supposed ‘super-fight’.

The fight was watched by a record 2.18 million households earning Mayweather $38million. Following that enormous payday Mayweather retired, stating that he wanted to spend quality time with his family and move into entertainment. It could be that the boos where still ringing in his ears when only three months later, he reversed his decision to pick up the gauntlet thrown down by Ricky Hatton.

Mayweather’s Retirement Short-lived

Mayweather is renowned for his huge ego, and Hatton and his management pushed all the right buttons with their scathing criticism of the defensive tactics he employed in the De la Hoya fight. Such verbal exchanges are however, part-and-parcel of boxing, and behind the hype Hatton appears to have the greatest respect for his opponent. Mayweather’s arrogance in contrast seems genuine, and it is important for bettors to decide whether it provided the motivation for Mayweather to change his mind about retirement, having barely had enough time to get comfortable with his pipe and slippers.

Boxing is littered with embarrassing comebacks that make Rocky 6 seem reasonable. ‘Retirement’ in boxing has a different meaning than you will find in the Oxford English Dictionary, normally motivated by money, or the fame and adulation that being at the top provides. Tyson, Holyfield and even the greatest of them all - Mohammad Ali – all made ill-considered comebacks driven by these demons.

Mayweather will have barely had time to count the $38 million from the De la Hoya fight before deciding to head back into the ring, and his purse for this fight will be even bigger, so money doesn’t seem to be the issue.

This isn’t a ‘comeback’ either because he ended his career undefeated, but the nature of the victory over De La Hoya may have left him feeling that he hadn’t signed-off gaining the recognition he felt his abilities deserved. For Mayweather, this fight might therefore, be about restoring his pride, and carving a place for himself in the boxing hall of fame alongside the sport’s greats. The danger is that pride often comes before a fall!

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