In a fight that the boxing world thought they would never see happen at this point in time, former champion Ricky Hatton (45-3, 32 KO) will be taking on his long-time friend Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7, 44 KO) in an exhibition match this weekend.
Read on for a Hatton vs Antonio Barrera betting analysis and prediction.
Last Fight Record
- Ricky Hatton lost his last time in the ring back in 2012. It was a KO to Vyacheslav Senchnko.
- Barrera hasn’t been in the ring since 2011, where he won via TKO against Jose Arias.
Hatton vs. Barrera Betting Analysis
Ricky Hatton
When you look at the most recent fight on Hatton record, he has lost to 3 of the best fighters to ever do it at his weight division.
Since a decade has gone by, he has opened up about the dark times in his life and how he has came out of that recently to put this fight on for the fans.
Hatton’s Body Transformation
The body transformation for Hatton has been unbelievable. He looks great and seems to be in great spirits leading up to this one.
At 44 years old, he might be in better shape than Barrera and able to stay busy for much longer in the ring.
In the training footage leading up to this exhibition bout, Hatton seems to be quick and in great shape. He has lost a step or two since a decade ago, but he looks great for the circumstances.
It is tough to make a Hatton vs Antonio Barrera betting analysis and prediction when this is going to be an exhibition, though.
Marco Antonio Barrera
This is a different style of breaking down a fight than you are used to. All prior fights and statistics get to be thrown out the window because of the time between those days and now.
Barrera seems to be quick and ready to put on a show this weekend. Traveling to the UK and fighting takes a lot of confidence and belief in oneself.
Barrera is a few years older and looks to be not in as great of shape as Hatton this fight week.
Coming Back from Their Comfy Retirement
They both are coming back from their comfy retirement conditions, but Hatton has for sure done the bigger transformation.
Being the smaller and older man this weekend, Marco Antonio Barrera’s fight prediction shows that Barrera is going to have a disadvantage physically.
With a fight like this, the physical advantage might be the biggest factor in the outcome of this bout.
Boxing Injury Report
Ricky Hatton has mentioned in the fight leadup that he is open to have a rematch with former foe Floyd Mayweather in the future.
Ricky Hatton vs. Marco Antonio Barrera Betting Preview
As of right now, you can only find boxing odds for this bout at one sportsbook. Hatton is the betting favorite at -164. Antonio Barrera is the +120 underdog.
I am not even sure if there can be a winner for this exhibition bout, so that is the interesting part about this.
The fighter who has had a healthier lifestyle and a better ending to their career has been Barrera. He just looks older and more physically altered since the last time he was in the ring.
Even in the open workout, it looked like he hadn’t even hit mitts with his coach much. They were going over combinations and off-rhythm.
When making boxing picks on an exhibition fight, you kind of just go with your gut feeling and what the eye test tells you.
Hatton looks impressive hitting mitts and moving around the ring with slick footwork and head movement. Barrera was crossing his feet a lot and not showing a lot of pop on his punches.
Hatton vs. Barrera Betting Prediction
It is unusual to make a Marco Antonio Barrera pick with him not being the favorite. He went to war with some of the best to ever do it.
This exhibition fight will be to put on a show for the crowd and celebrate both these boxing icons.
If you need to throw money on this and bet, the best bet is going to be on Hatton. He is the more inspired man and seems to be in better physical condition.
With this being his hometown arena as well, expect him to come out victorious.
Who to Bet On?
Without knowing if there is even a clear winner able to be named, this Hatton vs Antonio Barrera betting analysis and prediction might be all for not.
But hopefully, both these legends can put on a glorified sparring match and get their shots off on each other in a safe fashion. No one wants to see one of these guys get hurt in any way.
If a prop bet shows with a line that has this going down as a draw… hammer that bet before anything else. It is hard for me to imagine this fight going to anyone in particular on the scorecards, or a finish happening.
Boxing Pick: Hatton (-164)
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