Timothy Bradley: "Mayweather Exposed Ricky Hatton
By James Blears
Newly crowned WBC junior welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley wants to fight Ricky Hatton in the near future.
Timothy came to Mexico City to be presented with the green belt by World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman. After thanking his team, co promoters and family for helping him achieve his dream, Tim declared:
“Now I’ve got the belt, I’ve conquered my goal, it’s time to take on all challengers out there. I’m looking for the big fights against the best possible opposition in the world. I’ve got a powerful grip on this belt, and it’s going to be hard to take this belt away from me. I’m letting everyone know that right now.”
Ricky Hatton, who’s due to fight Mexican Juan Lazcano in Manchester on Saturday, is a very high priority on Timothy’s hit list. Tim who studied Junior Wittier for a year to plot his downfall via right hands against a sometimes vulnerably jutting chin, has also thoroughly done his homework on Ricky.
He assessed Ricky by saying: “Ricky Hatton is a great fighter. He pretty much fights one style. He’s a bully. He’s going to be in my face all the time. Mayweather pretty much exposed him, and he’s also susceptible to getting hit by right hands, straight jabs and left hooks. You can just outwork Ricky, but you’ve got to be able to withstand the pressure, you’ve got to be able to punch and you’ve got to use your speed.
“I think Ricky Hatton is chasing the big paydays. He’s trying to go after Paulie Malignaggi (IBF Champion…who’s paradoxically on the undercard) after the Lazcano fight. Hey, but why not go after the young guy, because I’ve got the best belt out there.”
Tim’s co promoter Gary Shaw says the immediate road ahead will probably be an optional fight, unless Hatton changes his path.
"(If) Hatton says I’m not going to fight Malignaggi…I’ll fight Tim Bradley. If that happens, we’ll be there!” Come and get it!” We’ll fight anybody. That’s what champions should do, and that’s what boxing should be like. Not just take easy fights, but defend your belt proudly, and we’ll do that,” Shaw said.
Gary also praised the WBC commenting: “The WBC gave Timothy a chance and I think it proved that the ranking system in the WBC is right.
“A lot of people said Timothy wasn’t worthy of the title shot. But be absolutely proved it and that the WBC can appoint judges internationally. And that an American fighter can get a chance, on the other side of the pond.”
WBC President Jose Sulaiman was quick to explain: “Once again, the WBC proves it’s ratings are the best. We have some of the very best historians and experts in boxing. They are the people who rate the fighters without any influence, and they do a great job.”
Don Jose also agreed Bradley vs. Hatton would be: “A very attractive fight. Timothy Bradley has the merits and right to fight Hatton and give him the opportunity to become a champion. It would be a great fight.”
But concerning the possibility of a Mayweather vs. Hatton rematch, Don Jose cautioned: “They might fight again. But there will not be expectation or interest in the world for the fight, because Floyd showed himself to be much, much better than Hatton, that night.”
By James Blears
Newly crowned WBC junior welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley wants to fight Ricky Hatton in the near future.
Timothy came to Mexico City to be presented with the green belt by World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman. After thanking his team, co promoters and family for helping him achieve his dream, Tim declared:
“Now I’ve got the belt, I’ve conquered my goal, it’s time to take on all challengers out there. I’m looking for the big fights against the best possible opposition in the world. I’ve got a powerful grip on this belt, and it’s going to be hard to take this belt away from me. I’m letting everyone know that right now.”
Ricky Hatton, who’s due to fight Mexican Juan Lazcano in Manchester on Saturday, is a very high priority on Timothy’s hit list. Tim who studied Junior Wittier for a year to plot his downfall via right hands against a sometimes vulnerably jutting chin, has also thoroughly done his homework on Ricky.
He assessed Ricky by saying: “Ricky Hatton is a great fighter. He pretty much fights one style. He’s a bully. He’s going to be in my face all the time. Mayweather pretty much exposed him, and he’s also susceptible to getting hit by right hands, straight jabs and left hooks. You can just outwork Ricky, but you’ve got to be able to withstand the pressure, you’ve got to be able to punch and you’ve got to use your speed.
“I think Ricky Hatton is chasing the big paydays. He’s trying to go after Paulie Malignaggi (IBF Champion…who’s paradoxically on the undercard) after the Lazcano fight. Hey, but why not go after the young guy, because I’ve got the best belt out there.”
Tim’s co promoter Gary Shaw says the immediate road ahead will probably be an optional fight, unless Hatton changes his path.
"(If) Hatton says I’m not going to fight Malignaggi…I’ll fight Tim Bradley. If that happens, we’ll be there!” Come and get it!” We’ll fight anybody. That’s what champions should do, and that’s what boxing should be like. Not just take easy fights, but defend your belt proudly, and we’ll do that,” Shaw said.
Gary also praised the WBC commenting: “The WBC gave Timothy a chance and I think it proved that the ranking system in the WBC is right.
“A lot of people said Timothy wasn’t worthy of the title shot. But be absolutely proved it and that the WBC can appoint judges internationally. And that an American fighter can get a chance, on the other side of the pond.”
WBC President Jose Sulaiman was quick to explain: “Once again, the WBC proves it’s ratings are the best. We have some of the very best historians and experts in boxing. They are the people who rate the fighters without any influence, and they do a great job.”
Don Jose also agreed Bradley vs. Hatton would be: “A very attractive fight. Timothy Bradley has the merits and right to fight Hatton and give him the opportunity to become a champion. It would be a great fight.”
But concerning the possibility of a Mayweather vs. Hatton rematch, Don Jose cautioned: “They might fight again. But there will not be expectation or interest in the world for the fight, because Floyd showed himself to be much, much better than Hatton, that night.”