Pretty Boy Walks the Walk

Hatton v Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather proved he's not rated the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world for nothing. The Pretty boy dominated the fight before knocking out Hatton in the tenth. I had thought Mayweather would win on points by boxing at long range & on the retreat. But he put on a masterclass. He is now unquestionably one of the best boxers of the last ten years or so, along with other greats such as Roy Jones, De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins & Calzaghe. I think Hatton should take one more big money fight against the 'Golden Boy', Oscar De La Hoya, and then retire.


Premiership & Champions League


If sport was easily predictable, bookies would have a hard time. As it is, a fair share of shock results keeps them in profit, & the punters miserable. In the past two weeks, Arsenal could only draw with Newcastle & lost to Boro, & Liverpool lost at Reading. All 3 victors were on long odds to win.

Liverpool needed a win in Marseilles to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League. The Reds added to their glorious history of overcoming adversity in Europe - St Etienne 1977, Olympiakos & Istanbul in 2005, with a thumping 4-0 win which put them through on Wednesday. However, as group runners-up they are guaranteed strong opposition from one of the Italian or Spanish group winners in the next round.


Euro 2008 draw


Talk about the ultimate 'group of death'. Every major tournament normally has one, but Euro 2008 Group C takes the biscuit: Italy, France, Holland & Romania. The two finalists from the last World Cup; Holland are currently FIFA world-ranked 9 & Romania 13. The Euro 2008 draw was skewed by the co-hosts, Austria & Switzerland, being placed in the top 'pot'.


BBC Sports Personality of the Year


Joe Calzaghe was the deserved winner of the BBC award, having beaten the previously undefeated Dane, Mikkel Kessler (now 39-1) to become the undisputed no. 1 at Super-Middle. Currently 3 Brits are rated no. 1 in their weight divisions by boxing experts (including the Ring magazine, 'The Bible of boxing' ),which is surely unprecedented. Calzaghe at Super-Middle, Haye at Cruiser, & Hatton at Light-Welter (he moved up a division to fight Mayweather).
British boxing has perhaps never been stronger, with such strength in depth at one time. In the amateur ranks, British boxing also looks in rude health, several boxers having already qualified for Beijing 2008, and Frankie Gavin (Lightweight) became the first Brit to win gold at the Worlds in November. Amir Khan looks an excellent prospect for a world title. khan defended his Commonwealth Lightweight title last Saturday, knocking out Graham Earl in 72 seconds. Earl was overwhelmed by the speed & ferocity of Khan, it was the most impressive quick title win i can remember since Tyson destroyed Spinks in 1988.