posted November 22, 2008 at 17:00 in Other Free Picks
Boxing Betting – Can Hatton Catch the “Magic Man”?
BetUS Sportsbook sports bettors can feast on an international matchup between two of the world's top 140-pounders on Saturday when Ricky Hatton of Manchester, England defends his International Boxing Organization (IBO) light welterweight title against Paul Malignaggi of Brooklyn, the IBF champion, in a match that is scheduled for 12 rounds at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
BetUS boxing betting odds:
November 22 -- Las Vegas
IBO Light Welterweight title
RICKY HATTON -260
PAUL MALIGNAGGI +200
OVER 11.5 ROUNDS -350
UNDER 11.5 ROUNDS +250
Fight Outcomes
Hatton by KO, TKO or Disqualification +300
Hatton by Decision or Technical Decision -120
Malignaggi by KO, TKO or Disqualification +1000
Malignaggi by Decision or Technical Decision +250
Draw or Technical Draw +2000
HATTON (44-1, 31 KO's), the -260 favorite in the BetUS boxing betting odds, has been in his share of big fights. For a while though, he was one of the sport's best-kept secrets. Hatton turned pro in September of 1997 and within a couple of years had won the WBO Inter-Continental title at 140 pounds. He was also the BBBC light welterweight champ. In March 2001 he captured the World Boxing Union title with a fourth-round TKO of Tony Pep. Hatton defended that crown 15 times, mostly against middling opposition. So when he stepped in against Kostya Tszyu in June 2005 for the IBF title, many expected him to get his comeuppance. That didn't happen; in fact, he pretty much dominated Tszyu, forcing a retirement in the corner after eleven rounds. In his next fight Hatton added the WBA title by beating Carlos Maussa, then moved up to 147 pounds and won the WBA welterweight title with an unimpressive decision over Luis Collazo. By far his biggest fight was the showdown against Floyd Mayweather (December of last year). He was aggressive, and made Mayweather fight, but was outclassed and eventually stopped in the tenth round. Hatton last fought on May 24, and endured some anxious moments on the way to winning a 12-round decision over Juan Lazcano.
MALIGNAGGI (25-1, 5 KO's), the +200 underdog at BetUS, turned pro in July of 2007 and won his first 21 fights, the first three by knockout. Malignaggi had a ho-hum roster of foes until he stepped up against then-undefeated Miguel Angel Cotto for the WBO 140-lb. title in June of 2006. Cotto knocked Malignaggi to the canvas in the second round but was not able to keep the "Magic Man" out of there; instead, the fight went the entire 12 rounds, with Cotto winning the unanimous decision. Malignaggi won plenty of admirers with the way he was able to stand in there for the full twelve with the power-punching Cotto. Malignaggi rebounded with a 12-round decision over Lovemore N'Dou to win the IBF junior welterweight title in June of 2007. He has defended twice, including a rematch with N'Dou, when he won a split decision in May 2008.
We know that Malignaggi is not a puncher, with just five knockout wins in his career. Mostly, Malignaggi has problems with his right hand. He's broken it on more than one occasion, and generally fights accordingly. He is a mover, who sticks his opponent with the jab and uses his legs for defense. Hatton is a more aggressive type who will come forward, not necessarily to land the one huge knockout blow, but to overwhelm his opponent with a preponderance of firepower. But he's got to get to Malignaggi, and preferably early, in order to gain respect and slow down the Brooklynite.
At the same time, he's got to avoid a situation where he is following Malignaggi around the ring for all twelve rounds, chasing him in vain. Malignaggi has to move and be hard to hit, but at the same time has to land enough to win on points. We don't necessarily know that he can do that, although we acknowledge that he has the ability to frustrate Hatton, especially if it is the same Ricky Hatton who did not look particularly good in beating Juan Lazcano last time out.
So while we're not that fond of loading in with Hatton, we're fairly certain that Malignaggi, who took some punishment against Cotto, who DID slow him down, can sustain enough to take this one the whole route. While Hatton by decision (-120) might be a secondary play, we would go with the fight lasting OVER 11.5 rounds in the BetUS boxing betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: OVER 11.5 ROUNDS (-350) **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a former manager, matchmaker and color commentator in professional boxing. He currently pulls no punches in the BetUS Locker Room)
