Mayweather would trounce Hatton

So now that we have established Jose Luis Castillo's next fight should be against Uncle Leo over the last serving of tapioca pudding and who gets to escort the widow Jones to the weekly bingo game, it's important to consider more fascinating boxing story lines.

Like a fight between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A fight Hatton wouldn't have a prayer at winning.

Hatton in a ring as a super lightweight is Rodney Harrison within a few strides of an NFL wide receiver crossing the middle -- exhilarating to watch and memorable for its violent edge.

Hatton in a ring against Mayweather would be a lost, undisciplined, desperate welterweight wondering why all those punches he landed in winning 43 previous bouts were being deflected quicker than he could throw them.

That it took Hatton only until 2:16 of the fourth round to knock Castillo off his 103-year-old legs Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center is of little surprise.

Castillo enjoyed a fine career that spanned a combined 97 amateur and pro fights, meaning the fact he doesn't consume all his meals from a straw is a victory itself.

But if his sluggish, holding, tired approach against Hatton in the IBO title bout -- not to mention getting knocked out by a body shot to the level of those served nightly at The Beach -- isn't message enough he should limp quietly into the retired obscurity of former great champions, something is terribly wrong.

(On this point, a message for Hatton promoter Art Pelullo on those infamous statements last week about Castillo being "close to his prime" and "at the peak of his career": Thanks for checking in, Artie.)

Any fight between Hatton and Mayweather Jr. would be like Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya in May, which is to say the buildup would be far more engaging than what would transpire in the ring. Castillo, who has fought both, said a Mayweather-Hatton fight would be like a cat chasing a mouse.

In this light, the cat would starve.

"Ricky Hatton is a tough, well-conditioned kid," said Bob Arum, former promoter for Mayweather and that of Castillo. "But come on. You're talking about two different leagues. (Hatton) will have never seen anything like that. Take nothing away from Ricky Hatton -- he's a good fighter -- but Floyd Mayweather is in a completely different league."

Hatton never has stood across from an opponent with such exceptional skill as Mayweather, never tried hitting a guy who gets caught with a clean shot about as often as his uncle (Roger) goes a day without swearing, never had to solve the combination of the best defensive fighter of his time and also a guy with one of boxing's sternest chins.

"There was more action in these four rounds," Hatton said, "than Floyd Mayweather has had his entire career."

Exactly, the type of action Mayweather would never allow Hatton to create.

Believe it: For as much as people talk about how defensive Mayweather fights, Hatton's untamed nature would get him hurt. For as much as others concentrate on Mayweather redirecting punches, they forget how many he lands.

English fans follow Hatton with an intense, loyal passion. They would celebrate such an occasion as they might the local club soccer team playing for a Premier League title. One visiting member of the British press here last week estimated a crowd of 60,000 or more should Mayweather agree to fight Hatton abroad in Wembley Stadium. It would be an incredible spectacle and yet a calculated, tedious fight.

Still, the Hatton camp dreams.

"The only fight that interests me with Ricky right now is Floyd Mayweather," said Billy Graham, Hatton's trainer. "Floyd Mayweather isn't retired as he says. He's a man. He'll come back and fight. When will it be, I have no idea. But I want that fight. The boxing world wants that fight. Ricky wants that fight. The only welterweight we would even consider is Mayweather. Now, it's up to Floyd.

"(Mayweather) is no bigger than Ricky, so we could fight him at 147 pounds and it would be a fair fight."

Fair, maybe.

Close, absolutely not.

Ricky Hatton is a joy to watch. His following is wonderful for boxing. He comes to brawl. He is charismatic and amusing and brutally candid. He would definitely hold up his end in promoting any fight against Mayweather Jr. and show up more prepared than ever to compete.

There is just one tiny problem: Once the bell sounded, he wouldn't stand a chance.

The mouse would win going away.

Ed Graney's column is published Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. He can be reached at 383-4618 or egraney@reviewjournal.com.