Sky TV pulls the plug on Hatton live amidst doubts about Alvarez fight

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

WBC title fight put on delayed broadcast as row over weight threatens fight

Sky TV’s decision to show Matthew Hatton’s WBC 154lb title bout with Saul Alvarez is a further blow to a bout that is already skating on thin ice after the British fighter’s brother Ricky stated that if Alvarez comes in over 150lbs, then the fight is off anyway.

This could have had a huge bearing on Sky TV pulling out of paying for the rights to show the fight live as they may not have wanted to gamble on shelling out for a fight that has more chance of being called off, than actually going ahead in the first place.

The bout, between the two predominantly welterweight fighters, was originally signed at a catchweight of 10st 10lbs (150lbs) and was a non-title fight. Then the WBC announced that both boxers would fight for the 154lb title vacated by Manny Pacquaio, when he moved back down to 147lbs where he holds the WBO belt.

Then less than two-weeks later, on March 1st, the WBC scrapped plans to hold the bout at a catchweight, allowing both fighters to come in up to 154lb. That decision suits the Mexican fighter more than Hatton, who was happy at the arrangement and now brother Ricky has threatened to pull his brother out if Alvarez comes in over the contracted weight.

With the weight-in also brought forward to Friday lunchtime in the US, more controversy has followed, as that gives Alvarez more time to put on extra weight before the fight if he chooses to do so, something that Ricky and Matthew are trying to make sure doesn’t happen to keep the fight fairer for both boxers.

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