FightHype's staff predictions are in for this weekend's jr. welterweight clash Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi square off in a 12-round clash to determine supremacy in the division. Who will win? Who will lose? Get the answers to these questions and more in FightHype's staff predictions.
Ben "The Hype" Thompson - Hatton TKO12
Suprisingly enough, I'm rollin' with Hatton in this one. While the addition of Floyd Mayweather Sr. isn't going to have The Hitman shoulder-rollin' against the ropes any time soon, it will give him a much-needed advantage in his corner. Sr. will recognize the traps that Malignaggi is trying to set and should be able to give Hatton the necessary advice to avoid them while implementing his own gameplan. While Paulie's tough, I'm just not sure he'll be able to avoid the constant pressure and mauling that Hatton brings to the table for all 12 rounds. As Joe Louis once said, "He can run, but he can't hide." Hatton by late, late, LATE 12th round TKO as the Magic Man simply runs out of tricks.
Percy "The Talent" Crawford - Hatton by Unanimous Decision
Al "The Monster" Mermini - Malignaggi by Split Decision
In the rounds Ricky can catch up to Paulie, he will win big. I see Malignaggi boxing very well early and building a nice lead. Ricky will attack the body early and try to take the legs of Paulie away for the second half of the fight. I see Ricky bringing it late, but falling just a round or two short. However, if Ricky can cut the ring off and close the gap early, he might be able to make the Magic Man disappear!
Jeff Young - Hatton by Unanimous Decision
Simon Ruvalcaba - Malignaggi by Unanimous Decision
Nick Sanchez - Malignaggi by Split Decision
Sean Malone - Hatton by Unanimous Decision
I think this fight's going to be a close contest, but I'm going with Hatton by way of pure aggression.
Steve Coleman - Hatton by TKO
I'm going with Hatton over Malignaggi by stoppage. I have not been impressed with Malignaggi in any of his recent fights. In fact, over his entire career. When he wins, he normally just stinks it out. I just cannot see him beating Hatton, even though I don't think too highly of Ricky either.
Joe DeMaria - Hatton by Decision
Give me Ricky Hatton by decision. While Hatton's stamina has faded a bit, Malignaggi's defense has too. Late in the fight, Hatton's constant pressure will wear on the smaller man. Expect The Hitman to start early, Malignaggi to surge in the middle and Hatton to close it out late. Neither guy has looked all that great lately, but Hatton's style is the one that can still be effective, even if he isn't sharp. Not the case with Malignaggi. That's not to say I don't expect both guys to look better than we have seen of late, because I do. It's just that The Hitman has more leeway.
Rob Abreu - Hatton by Split Decision
For me. this is a tough one to call because I never bought into Maliganggi and Hatton just looked washed up in his last fight. Not to mention, I was ready to write off all European fighters until Calzaghe embarrassed Roy. However, I think Hatton is the tougher and scrappier fighter and he will find a way to win.
Charles Presnell - Malignaggi by Decision
I just have a feeling that Paulie's speed and skills are going shine in this one. Paulie will move effectively and counter the slower Hatton all night, using all his flash and showmanship to take over the top spot in the super lightweight division.
Jack Plato - Malignaggi by Split Decision
I'm picking Paulie to pull off the upset with his ability to pick his spots selectively, but move away in spurts. Expect the typical holding and clinching by Hatton to make several rounds close, but a boring fight as of consequence. Hatton holds too much instead of working on the inside while Paulie doesn't punch hard enough to hurt him. Paulie by SD.
Joseph "falvoa" Falvo - Hatton by Unanimous Decision
Although I do not like Hatton's talk about "being smarter" and "Floyd Mayweather Sr. is training me so now I'm a better fighter," he also says he'll still be aggressive and that's what he'll need to best Malignaggi, who's quick, tricky style may give him some fits. If Hatton fights the same old ugly, crowding fight, his strength should prevail...at least enough to grind out a tough decision against the flashy, but light-hitting Malignaggi, who may have trouble keeping Hatton off him and keeping up with his punch output as Collazo did.
Joey "Titlebelt" Karash - Hatton by Unanimous Decision
Derek Batista - Hatton by Unanimous Decision
This is a weird fight to predict, but I have to lean towards Hatton based on big fight experience and Paulie's chronically bad hands. Paulie is tough so I think he will last the full 12 round, but he'll be on the losing end of a unanimous decision.
Ed Garza - Hatton
John Tandy (Editor, www.ultimateboxingresults.com) - Hatton by Decision
The wait is over. These guys have been calling each other out for what seems like ages. Now they get to find out who is the best. Hatton has looked well below par, most recently in his outing against Lazcano, but Paulie has hardly looked at his best either as he's damaged his hands in most of his recent fights. You would have to say if his hands don't hold out here, he's got little chance of scrapping through with the win. Hatton has been working under new coach Floyd Mayweather Sr. and it will be interesting to see what changes he has made. From the reports, Hatton feels in the best shape he has been in for a number of years, but the constant pressure he puts on his body gaining and losing so much weight between fights must be starting to have an effect. Paulie is a skilful, tough fighter and on his best form will be a real handful for Hatton. A lot depends on which fighter can bring his A game on the night. I would give Hatton the advantage and think 7 times out of 10 he would win this fight, but don't rule out Malignaggi. I think it will be down to the judges to decide.