Why? Does Tszyu's right hand not work in certain towns or something? He landed enough right hands flush. Once they didn't work, he was in trouble against a younger, fitter opponent who was able to get close and work.
Any other ref in any other town would not have - or at least, should not have - allowed Hatton to get away with fighting the kind of fight he fought against Tszyu. That shit was painful to watch.
Don't bother. Anyone that watched that fight and didn't see a disgraceful display of biased officiating isn't a rational human being.
It's actually pretty unlikely. I'll take the guy who passes a gut check rather than the guy who has proven to fold when the going gets tough, every day of the fucking week. That would be the dynamic of this fight. If Rios was likely to get taken out easily, that would be different, but he wouldn't, he's clearly no Zab in the chin department, and sheer aggression and smothering can be a great form of defense. Tszyu likes room to work, Rios wouldn't give it to him.
Rios hasn't beaten anyone of note that would make me even consider him in the same company as Tszyu..plus he was utterly dominated over 5 by a decent but not outstanding guy - granted he prevailed but taking the same number of right hands from one of the hardest hitting 140ibers in history?....I doubt Rios will ever reach Hatton's level either, in fact I'd bet the house on it
It's a fair statement, no he hasn't beaten anyone of note. But I place a decent amount of importance on a gut check. It often wins fights to be honest. And in both Tszyu's losses, he basically folded and quit. Rios is not the most skilled or talented individual to be sure. In fact he is raw and limited. But he has enough athleticism to propel his style to success (more than Plasterito ever had for example, or someone like Angulo), plus don't underestimate how far determination, toughness, and a sheer desire to win can take you, along with at least ENOUGH athleticism and skill to compete at world level. (Obviously all the heart and determination in the world isn't going to win you fights if you have the athletic ability of a turnip). I don't think he is as good as Hatton no, but I think his style is pretty well suited to grinding Tszyu down and breaking him.
An old Tszyu folded against Hatton. The guy who fought Vince did not fold, he was basically stopped on his feet - he had dominated all his other opponents by timing and outmuscling them - hence why his greatest victories were against crafty types and why he came undone against Phillips who would not be physcially dominated at 140. Vera has a style which would be a challenge for Tszyu but he's been dropped at 135 several times against lesser competitions and is unlikely to suddenly develop crippling power at 140..can't see it, but would be a very enjoyable tv fight
