Fight Night

I don't know how many boxing fans we have on the blog but you don't have to be a fan to get excited about a huge prizefight and it doesn't get much bigger than tonight. "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather (38-0,24 KOs) puts his WBC Welterweight Championship on the line tonight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas against Ricky "Hitman" Hatton (43-0,31 KOs) in clash of unbeatens. It is being hyped as us against them, America vs. England. Mayweather is coming off of an epic battle against Oscar De La Hoya back on Cinco De Mayo which he won a controversial 12 round decision. Hatton's last fight came against Jose Luis Castillo in June of this year, a fight in which he KO'd Castillo in the 4th round. That's significant because Castillo is the only common opponent between the two fighters. While Hatton destroyed Castillo, Mayweather struggled in winning both of his fights against Castillo with two 12 round decisions. Of course that was back in 2002 so take that for what it's worth.

Mayweather and Hatton have a lot to live up to...

Many people are looking at this fight like it's a real life version of Apollo Creed-Rocky Balboa because a) Mayweather is the real life version of Apollo Creed from his speed to his flamboyance; b) Hatton, like Rocky, is known more for his toughness and brawling mentality than his boxing skill; and c) nobody outside of England is giving Hatton much of a chance in tonight's bout. It is a classic David and Goliath scenario.

While Floyd is more than likely fighting for himself, Ricky is fighting for himself and his country. Thousands of Hatton fans made the trip across the pond and into the MGM Grand Arena to cheer for Ricky and jeer at Mayweather. A decidedly pro-Hatton crowd overwhelmed the Mayweather fans in the audience. They packed nearly every seat on one end of the Grand Garden Arena, singing "Hatton Wonderland" and "God Save the Queen" at deafening volume while clapping and banging drums. As far as breaking down the fight goes, Floyd's skills are far superior to Hatton's but Ricky has a dangerous arsenal of body punches, also like Rocky. Like Mickey said in Rocky II, "the body, the body, the body, don't let the bastard breathe." However, I think Hatton does have one major advantage over Floyd- his humility. Mayweather's arrogance (like Apollo Creed) may be writing checks his body can't cash. Though Mayweather was busy doing the tango on "Dancing With the Stars" for part of the fall, he accepted the fight with Hatton when the British champion criticized Mayweather's style after his most recent victory.

To win, Hatton will have to make it a brawl, something Mayweather will be reluctant to do with his sit back and react approach. There's also talk of an English uprising in the world of boxing. There are some good young prospects in the European ranks, but over here in the states boxing looks to have taken a temporary backseat to the UFC. A Hatton victory could certainly cement this claim. Will Mayweather's arrogance cause his downfall? Will Hatton's heart be enough to overcome Floyd's superior talent? It may be the popular upset pick but I say yes to both.

Prediction: Hatton KO in 11.Hatton looks like an English Rocky to me...