Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GUNGNO! Hatton urges Fury to box smart and not go in all guns blazing for the KO or he risks being caught by the sport’s biggest hitter
RICKY HATTON is worried Tyson Fury’s gung-ho tactics could backfire when he takes on Deontay Wilder.
Hatton is a pal of Fury and worked his corner with Ben Davison for his controversial draw against Wilder 14 months ago.
Fury has replaced Davison with Sugarhill Steward because he is aiming for a knockout and Hatton fears he is taking a huge risk against the biggest puncher in boxing.
“They wouldn’t be my tactics, to be perfectly honest with you,” said Hatton.
“Last time was just bad luck.
Tyson was on the receiving end of a terrible decision. I just think it was bad luck and if he boxes a similar fight and just tweaks it in a few areas, he will be OK.
“The only chance Wilder’s got, and he’s got absolutely no chance of outpointing Tyson Fury, is if he lands that punch.
“So why you would want to stand in front of him and give him half a chance, I don’t know. But Tyson knows what he’s doing and he’s got my backing 100 per cent.”
Hatton says Fury should stick to his strengths and use his superior movement and longer reach to win the rematch in the early hours of Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Tyson is a very versatile fighter, his movement, offensively and defensively, he can fight up close and he can also fight at a distance,” said the former two-weight world champ.
“What worries me is if he’s going in there for the knockout. He is capable of knocking him out, but he’s fighting a little bit out of character.
“Tyson has to use his movement, use his reach, use his defence and his ability.
“He’s going in there with one of the biggest punchers in heavyweight history looking for the knockout. That worries me a little bit. But knowing Tyson as I do, everything he’s said, he’s always backed up.”
Hatton (top) hopes Fury is playing mind games with Wilder by talking of switching tactics so radically.
“Tyson always likes to throw something in controversial, he’s the master of the mind games, so we don’t know,” said the Mancunian.
“We can only go with what he says. It could be a little bit of mind games. It does make sense.
“I understand Tyson’s mindset and everyone knows he got stitched up last time.
“But if Tyson goes in there and has it out with Wilder, he’s giving up his best attribute.
“Hopefully it’s Tyson winding everyone up.” Hatton has faith in Fury whichever tactics he uses and is backing him to dethrone Wilder and become the new WBC heavyweight king.
“Last time Wilder had to put up with hitting fresh air, which does tire you,” he said. “If Tyson can make him hit fresh air and push him around a bit, I don’t think Wilder will have the same power come the last round.
“For me it’s either Tyson by an absolute landslide on points or Wilder by a knockout.
“Tyson is a far, far superior boxer, but Wilder only needs that one punch. That’s what makes it more 50-50 for me.
“But if you had to pick a winner then because of Tyson’s heart, Tyson’s chin and Tyson’s ability, my money goes on him.”