COMPUBOX PRE-FIGHT ANALYSIS:
COLLAZO VS. HATTON

May 11, 2006
- by Bob Canobbio/Compubox

Hatton, 40-0, 30 ko's, nearly a 4-1 favorite, moves up in weight to challenge southpaw 147-lb. champ Collazo, 26-1, 12 ko's, making his second title defense.

Collazo won a belt last April, when as a late replacement for Tomas Damgaard, he traveled to champion Jose Rivera's Worcester, MA. backyard and came away with a controversial split decision victory in an action-packed fight.

Collazo started slow vs. Rivera, averaging 48 total punches in rounds one and two. He then turned up the heat, averaging 81 punches per round the rest of the way, landing 34% of his power shots. Collazo roared to the finish line, averaging 92 punches thrown per round over the last nine minutes, including 116 in round twelve, as they combined to throw 221 total punches. He outlanded Rivera 76-41 in those rounds, winning two of the last three frames on 2 cards. Collazo also averaged 27 jabs per round.

Rivera gave as good as he took, averaging 75 punches thrown per round and landing 28% of his power shots. Collazo had a 248-184 edge in total connects. The final scorecards read 115-113 Collazo twice and 115-113 Rivera.

Four months later, Collazo landed 44% of his 96 punches per round, stopping the absorbent 34-year-old, former lightweight champ ('92-'95) Miguel A. Gonzalez in round eight. Collazo also averaged 35 jabs per round, landing 35%. He landed a whopping 66 of 141 (47%) total punches in round six, including 48 of 104 (46%) power shots. Gonzalez landed 43% of his power shots, many to Collazo's body, but couldn't hurt the champion.

Collazo's only defeat came in April of '02, when he was stopped in round three by the then 22-3, 19 ko's Edwin Cassiani.

Hatton's won 40 straight fights, none bigger than his eleventh round stoppage of Kosta Tszyu last June at Manchester's MEN Arena. In a very physical fight, Hatton pressured the 35-yr.old Tszyu from the opening bell, as a crowd of 22,000 cheered his every move.

Hatton's brawling style was reflected in his stats. He threw 59 total punches per round vs. Tszyu, 49 of which were power shots, landing 32%. He wore Tszyu down, outlanding him 61-41 in rounds nine thru eleven, averaging 64 punches per round to 47 for Tszyu, who shockingly did not come out for round twelve.

Both fighter's landed about the same amount of punches, but Hatton's swarming style prevented Tszyu from getting any leverage on his right hand. Thru eleven rounds the scorecards read 105-104, 106-103 & 107-102- all Hatton, winning Tszyu's 140-lb title. (Hatton held a lightly regarded 140-lb title from '01-'04, successfully defending it 15 times in 41 months).

In November of '05, Hatton added Carlos Maussa's 140-lb title to his collection, stopping the awkward Colombian in round nine. It wasn't easy though, as Hatton was cut over both eyes from apparent head butts in rounds one and three. Maussa, who upset Vivian Harris in July to win his share of a 140-lb title, actually outlanded Hatton in four of the first five rounds before Hatton's corner got the cuts somewhat under control and Ricky somewhat figured out Maussa's unpredictable movement and punching patterns.

As was the case vs. Tszyu, Hatton's aggression and superior physical strength began to wear on Maussa, who was destroyed in eight rounds by Miguel Cotto in December of '03. A wicked Hatton left hook in round nine dropped Maussa for a nine count before corner entered the ring to rescue their beaten fighter.

Overall, Hatton landed 34% of his 55 total punches per round, with 41 of those being power shots. Maussa, 5'10 1/2", had his moments, landing 30%, as the 5'6" Hatton continually walked into the fire to do damage.

Hatton also has decision wins over the then 39-yr.old, former 140-lb champ Vince Phillips, the only other fighter to defeat Kosta Tszyu and contenders Ben Tackie and Ray Oliveira.

It's a big step up in class for Collazo, but he's a live 'dog. He's busy, throws punches in bunches and moves well around the ring. The southpaw also has the edge in height and reach and he surely won't be intimidated by the pro-Hatton crowd (and should have fans of his own in attendance) after venturing into Rivera's backyard and winning a decision.

Hatton's been cut in his fights with Eamonn Magee (right eye) and dropped for the only time in his career in the first round), Gilbert Quiros (left eye), Vince Phillips (right eye) and Carlos Maussa (both eyes). Collazo's been a welterweight his entire career and is a sharp puncher.

Hatton's going to have to walk him down to do score, risking damage to those tender eyes.

Hatton may cut and could lose some early rounds if Collazo starts fast. Hatton's too strong and too solid a body puncher not to get to Collazo. Ricky by late round stoppage in an entertaining fight.

PAST FIGHTS:

COLLAZO W 12 (spl) JOSE RIVERA

Avg'd 75 punches per round (welterweight avg. is 58 per round), landing 27%. Also avg'd 27 jabs per round, landing 15%. Started slow, averaging 48 punches per round in opening six minutes, then cranked out 81 per round the rest of the way, including 116 (95 power shots) in the final round. Collazo also landed 200 of 586 power shots (34%). They combined to throw 1802 total punches (Collazo, 904- Rivera, 898), #9 all time for welterweights. Collazo had 248-184 edge in total connects.

COLLAZO KO 8 MIGUEL A. GONZALEZ

Avg'd 96 punches per round, landing 41%. Also landed 44% of his power shots. Had 276-170 edge in total connects. Also avg'd 35 jabs per round, landing 35%. Landed a whopping 66 of 141 (47%) total punches in 6th round, inclusing 48 of 104 (46%) power shots.

HATTON KO 11 KOSTA TSZYU

Pressured Tszyu all night, throwing 49 power shots per round (15 more than welterweight avg.) among his 59 total punches per round. Landed 35% of his power shots. Outlanded Tszyu 69-43 in power shots over last four rounds. Tszyu landed 35% of his power shots.

HATTON KO 9 CARLOS MAUSSA

Threw 41 power shots per round among his 55 punches per round despite getting cut over both eyes by third round. Landed 35% of his power shots.