Mayweather puts the Hitman on Ice.

By Mike Cassell 12/8/2007

LAS VEGAS – Size matters in the game of boxing. Last night in the MGM arena it was a classic match up between the undefeated best boxer in the world in Floyd Mayweather Jr. a natural welterweight, and one of the best brawlers in the world, undefeated Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, or as his friends know him, The British Bulldog, a natural junior welterweight. The streets of Las Vegas were overrun with British boxing fans, all believing that the bulldog would overcome. The last time this many Englishman came across the pond, General Washington was rallying his troops in Valley Forge. The crowd was decidedly for Hatton and singing and shouting all night long. It was loud and very British. It did create an aura of excitement that was reminisant of Taylor Pavlik earlier this year in Atlantic City, and maybe would have ended differently if it had Steve Smoger, Pavlik and Taylor’s referee.

Someone decided to use Joe Cortez to referee the bout. Cortez did a pathetic job, Taking Hatton out of his game early on, even deducting a point from Hatton for hitting behind the head. Cortez starts every fight by saying he is firm, but he is fair. I think it would be more accurate to say he was annoying and far too involved. Ricky Hatton made a career fighting a certain kind of fight. It seemed almost unfair to not allow him to be who he was, just because of the referee. Hatton however looked like a little boy trying to charge a full grown man in Mayweather. He looked very much like Oscar De La Hoya trying to break down Bernard Hopkins. Although Hatton showed speed and movement, the natural welterweight in Mayweather was beginning to show more and more as the bout stormed forward.

Hatton tried to make it ugly, but Mayweather’s counter and lead right hands were just too hard and precise. Mayweather used his elbows, taking a page from Bernard Hopkins, catching Hatton on his signature dives inward, and holding him close enough to smother anything Hatton had, and just far enough to keep his elbow firmly under the smaller mans chin. Referee Joe Cortez gave Mayweather upwards of seven warnings for using his elbows, but never took a point, (I guess that’s his firm side). That’s the Hometown advantage, and smart fighting by Mayweather. You play the cards you are getting, especially in Vegas. Mayweather waited patiently for Hatton to slow down his relentless charge in the later rounds. He was confronted by a fighter he had never seen before, and answered the call beautifully. Being bigger, stronger and faster has its advantages, especially in the later rounds.

The first three rounds were pretty even, but rounds five through nine saw Hatton losing his balance, and searching for the power he had against Castillo. It just wasn’t there. Mayweather showed him the right hand all night long then waited for “the money” The money as it turned out was something affectionately referred to as a Detroit “check” left hook, that was immediately identified by Bernard Hopkins ringside. With 1:36 to go in round ten, Hatton lunged forward with a wild left hook, and as Mayweather stepped to his left, He caught Hatton flush, keeping him in check, and nearly putting him to sleep. Hence the name. Hatton got up by the count of nine, but it only took a few more shots from Mayweather to send The Hitman back to the canvas. Joe Cortez stepped in to put a stop to the action for good with 1:29 remaining in round 10.

After the fight, Mayweather was uncharacteristically calm and very complementary of Hatton and his fans. He was not cocky or defiant. He looked almost at peace. He showed respect for the fighter and the fans, and for the first time, he showed respect for the title and what it stands for. Mayweather has more money than God at this point, and does not have to fight anyone. The question does have to be asked is, Will he fight the bigger welterweights? Size does matter in the welterweight division. Hatton is tremendous at Jr. Welterweight, but looks less than average at 147lbs. Antonio Maragito, Paul Williams, and Kermit Cintron are all waiting for the chance, but may never get it. Miguel Cotto was at the fight Last night, and is a tremendous fighter, but he too is a smaller welterweight.

Mayweather truly believes he has beaten the best fighters, but he will be judged harshly for dodging the likes of Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams. Both fighters have called Floyd out, but Mayweather only seems to hear the call of the older fighter or the naturally smaller fighter, and sadly, whether he cares or not, that’s how he will be remembered.

If you want to be better than Sugar Ray Robinson. Do what Sugar Ray did, and fight everybody. I’m sure there are enough “check” left hands to go around.