by Est83 » Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:22 pm
Under Billy Graham, no matter how big Ricky got, by the end of training he had his fitness to a point where he was ready for a 16 round fight... this is why there were never any doubts over his fitness when he was actually in the ring. You would always hear the pundits talking about a lack of respect for the sport, and how "this time it will surely effect him in the ring"... but it never did. His game was built on relentless pressure and intelligent footwork (the welterweight Tyson without the pace), and one thing that always stood out about him was that he could maintain that pressure throughout the whole fight where other similar fighters would begin to slow down.
It'll be a lot harder to reverse 3 years worth of weight gain and liver damage than 3 months worth though... obviously. Really hope he can do it, and I hope they put a lot of thought into who he fights.
Malignaggi is a safe bet. I don't think he's got anything in his locker to test Hatton other than his stamina. He'll keep Hatton busy but ultimately, he would never be able stop a fit and healthy Hatton imo. There's too much of a gulf in class and power.
Khan would be good also, similar to Malignaggi only more power and less flair.
He would need more of a test, and something above these two if the third of his fights is going to be a real showdown with someone of true quality... like Cotto or Mayweather.