Hatton collides with Malignaggi on Nov. 22
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/20/2008 2:00 AM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
It will be “Hit Man” versus “Magic Man” on November 22 when Ricky Hatton collides with Paulie Malignaggi at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada.
In facing “Magic Man” Malignaggi, “Hitman” Hatton will stake his IBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight title and at the same time attempt to win the vacant IBF junior welterweight crown.
However, Malignaggi (25-1 with 5 KOs) assured that it would not be a walk in the park for Hatton when they meet at the center of the ring.
"All I know is, Saturday night, I’m going to beat his ass,” said Malignaggi in a media teleconference on Tuesday.
The US-born Italian said Hatton will find no use in strategies once he faces the Magic Man.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. He’ll use his plan until I punch him in his,” said Malignaggi.
Malignaggi even belittled Hatton, saying that most of the fighters beaten by the British boxing star were washed-out boxers.
"Look at his resumé. Other than [Floyd] Mayweather and [Luis] Collazo, the rest of the guys he fought were at least 100 years old,” joked Malignaggi.
For his part, the more famous Hatton (44-1 with 31 KOs) thinks Malignaggi is a bit out of his league.
"I should beat him,” said the British champion. “And if I don’t beat him, I’ll have to start looking at things a little closer.”
Hatton also enjoys the adoration on British fans, some of whom are willing to fly all the way to Las Vegas to watch him fight.
"My fans are coming over, 8,000 to 10,000 of them will be here even with the credit crunch we’re having over in England,” he said.
The Hatton-Malignaggi fight will be aired in the Philippines by ABS-CBN Sunday morning.
