Superfight? Not quite

Hatton v Pacquiao this weekend is a big fight, no question – but it’s no Leonard v Hagler. Hatton’s limitations were brutally exposed by Mayweather and it’s obvious he’s only comfortable when fighting at 140 pounds. To be considered great in this day and age, you need to be able to perform at multiple weights – or at least dominate at a ‘true’ weight class. And whilst Pacquiao is unquestionably a great fighter, I don’t rate him as the pound-for-pound king – I’d put him third behind Marquez (who won at least one, and arguably both, of their fights) and Hopkins; only fourth if (as seems increasingly likely) Mayweather comes out of retirement. Furthermore, it’s unclear how comfortable Pacquiao will be fighting at such a weight (you can dismiss his last outing - De La Hoya was clearly shot). Don’t forget, he started out at 112 pounds – indeed, if he beats Hatton, Pacquiao will become the first boxer in history to claim a lineal title in four divisions (112, 126, 130 and 140). Hatton has been dominant at Junior Welterweight for a number of years, so certainly has a chance of winning. But that won’t make him the pound-for-pound king. And this isn’t a superfight.