Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
As Matthew Hatton prepares for his first world title quest on Saturday night, the World Boxing Council are expected to announce that his bout with natural Mexican superstar Saul Alvarez will be made at the full 154lb limit, therefore scrapping the proposed catchweight limit.
The 29 year-old, who is natural at the welterweight limit seven pounds lighter than light-middleweight and was hoping that the WBC would agree to another 150lb weight contest as they did when Manny Pacquaio fought Antonio Margarito last November at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
The European welterweight champion is now facing the daunting task of fighting over 151 pounds for only the second time in his career, with the first being a six-round middleweight contest in 2002 against Paul Denton, for which he weighted in at 157lbs.
Since then, Hatton (41-4-2, 16 KO’s), has bounced between 146 and 151 pounds, whilst Alvarez (35-0-1, 26 KO’s) has also kept in similar territory to the Briton, meaning that both men may come in at their highest weight in years on the night.
Although it may not be a problem to Hatton against another welterweight in Alvarez, it may become a big hindrance when he possibly defends the title against a full blown light-middleweight, should he be successful on Saturday night at the Honda Center in California.
WBN Editor
WBC to insist on 154lb limit for title contest
As Matthew Hatton prepares for his first world title quest on Saturday night, the World Boxing Council are expected to announce that his bout with natural Mexican superstar Saul Alvarez will be made at the full 154lb limit, therefore scrapping the proposed catchweight limit.
The 29 year-old, who is natural at the welterweight limit seven pounds lighter than light-middleweight and was hoping that the WBC would agree to another 150lb weight contest as they did when Manny Pacquaio fought Antonio Margarito last November at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
The European welterweight champion is now facing the daunting task of fighting over 151 pounds for only the second time in his career, with the first being a six-round middleweight contest in 2002 against Paul Denton, for which he weighted in at 157lbs.
Since then, Hatton (41-4-2, 16 KO’s), has bounced between 146 and 151 pounds, whilst Alvarez (35-0-1, 26 KO’s) has also kept in similar territory to the Briton, meaning that both men may come in at their highest weight in years on the night.
Although it may not be a problem to Hatton against another welterweight in Alvarez, it may become a big hindrance when he possibly defends the title against a full blown light-middleweight, should he be successful on Saturday night at the Honda Center in California.