I cant think of a fighter more tailor made for a prime Taylor than Hatton. Taylor would handle him easier than Floyd did. Mel by late TKO in a VERY one sided fight.
I agree that Taylor would win but i don't see Hatton as being "made for him". With all Meldrick's talents he'd let people get into range. Hatton would abuse him on the inside at times. Mayweather was smart enough to tie up the grappling style of Hatton. Taylor would welcome it. I think he'd bust up Ricky for the most part and win a decision, but it would be pretty far from a cakewalk.
Taylor's handspeed and combinations would abuse Hatton from every range possible. Also Taylor was physically strong at 140 so I dont see Hatton being able to bull him at all, which is the ONLY way Ricky can be effective. Taylor is just a HORRIBLE matchup for Hatton. If Mel could hold his own for most part on the inside with a prime Chavez, Hatton WOULD be a cakewalk for him. I think its one sided fight. Ricky would be game, but would get overhwhelmed by Taylor's speed and activity every single round. Hatton's corner or the ref would jump in and stop it late as Taylor starts hurting Hatton, and taking target practice on him.
I can see that taking place, but not the easy part leading up to it. Meldrick, stronger than Hatton? I doubt it. Either way Ricky is accomplished at using physical strength in his attack. Meldrick was good at using his as a "back up" and surprising opponents with how he could hold his ground. The point i tried to make was that Taylor woud allow Hatton to fight on his terms. That alone provides a difficult fight for him even with the difference in hand speed. Chavez was obviously a better fighter, but he would rarely clinch and his foot speed wasn't great at 140. Hatton wasn't as good a boxer, but with his footspeed i see him closing the distance in quicker fashion. Again. I pick Taylor to win, just not in some one sided butchery. If you continue to fight me on this i'll have no choice but to come to NY and make you sit through Barry Manilow appreciation classes.:warning:
I havent lived in NY in awhile dude, Imma Jerz cat now get with it!:mj: Anyway, like I said Ricky is ineffective unless he can bully his opponents. Whether or not he's physically stronger than Taylor was is debatable, but if Ricky had a strength edge over Taylor it wouldnt be a big one at all. Certainly not enough for him to bully Taylor like he does some lesser fighters. Usually when its swarmer fighting a "boxer" its the swarmer that forces the pace, but in this matchup it'd be Hatton who wouldnt be able to handle the pace Taylor would set. Ricky for years fooled people into thinking he had great stamina by A. Grappling and B. Cause he was beating bums, and has beens. Old man Tszyu was overwhelmed by Hatton's pace, and attack, but a prime Taylor would welcome it, and pick Hatton apart from the outset.
Son of a !#%!@^ Yes Merldrick would win, just stop making it sound like mismatch! Jeresey aint far from NY. I'm going to have a 3some with Illu's and your sister because of your insolence. :mj:
Fuck! I've had a few drinks X. Sometimes i go off on shit and i don't know what i'm saying. In fact i don't even remember saying that. I apologize to you and to anyone who was offended by my insensitive comments.
