OnThEGRiND BoXiNG

Saturday April 18th, 2009
by Jesse Rican

Here at Www.OnThEGRiNDBoXiNG.coM we’ve decided to do our own 24/7 watch, the 1st installment in the series focuses on Floyd “Joy” Mayweather Sr.

“I think I can save Ricky’s life.” Is this simply a boast easily dismissed as an exaggeration?

Not if Hatton’s life is boxing, which it is…and what a job the best trainer in the world has done with Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.

Floyd Sr., with his own professional Record of 29-6 (losing his last three matches), and sharing the ring with such greats as Sugar Ray Leonard, proved himself to be a solid boxer in his day. His career came to an end abruptly when he caught a bullet in the leg courtesy of his brother in-law (wow, talk about dysfunctional family).

Now with that being said, I ask another question. Can anyone honestly say that Mayweather Jr. would be the boxer he is today had his father not trained him and molded him into the perfect defensive fighter he’d become.

Of course not, it’s a fact!

“Let me make this simple and plain, after “The Hitman” is done with you Pacquiao you will never be the same,” said Floyd “Joy.”

…and wow does Ricky look in good shape, mentally, physically, and boxing wise.

Floyd Sr. has done the impossible and taken Hatton’s undeniable strength and brute power and added speed and Defense. The result? He has made the ultimate slugger/boxer. Floyd Sr. what have you done? You created a monster!

Training De La Hoya to victory over Ricardo Mayogra was probably Floyd Sr.’s most recognizable win as a trainer, and even though Mayogra is as Larry Merchant stated “The biggest open target in the game,” he is still a dangerous boxer. Just ask “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas and Vernon “The Viper” Forrest. Had De La Hoya not been trained properly, we could have seen an upset, but under Floyd Sr.’s Leadership he won via TKO in the sixth ( and had Floyd been De La Hoya’s trainer, against his son, we might have seen a different fight entirely).

When you see Floyd Mayweather Sr. train you are really seeing something special. What does this man have to do to be considered the best trainer today? If we patiently wait until May 2nd we may find the answer.

We have seen a Hatton who had his heart taken away scrape by a win over Juan Luzcano, and inevitably had to fire Billy Graham (sorry Billy). This move though is going to prove to be the best move Ricky has ever made.

Under the direction of Floyd Sr. we have seen a new and improved Hatton beat Paulie Malignaggi in an impressive manner, and thus Hatton is not only back, but perfected to a “t.” Thank you Floyd for resurrecting such a great career, and after May 2nd may you get the recognition that you deserve.

Thank you for saving Ricky Hatton’s life… and for making him a new kind of “Hitman.”