If something was proved last night in Juan Diaz’s resentfully contested 12-round decision victory over Paulie Malignaggi, it’s that Ricky Hatton would perhaps have a great chance of beating Diaz if they were to fight. Diaz 25, a boxer known for his high work rate, barely defeated Malignaggi by a narrow decision that has sent reverberation around the boxing world because of the divisive nature of the bout.Whether Diaz actually should have won or not, he failed to prove that he’s any better than Malignaggi. This is a good information for Hatton, 30, because he totally conquered Malignaggi in an 11th round work stoppage victory in November 2008. Since Diaz most likely won’t be giving Malignaggi a much needed rematch, this could leave Diaz free for Hatton should be involved in swooping in and grab an easy scalp.

I don’t know whether Hatton’s chin has been compromised or not in his recent 2nd round knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao in May, but I do consider that Hatton would have a good sufficient chin to easily beat a fighter like Juan Diaz. Diaz is small for a light welterweight, and doesn’t have the kind of big authority that would likely give Hatton much troubles. Even superior is that Diaz likes to go war on the inside, slugging it out with his opponents. This would be ideal for Hatton, because he wouldn’t have to deal with a fighter with a lot of momentum or movement like Floyd Mayweather Jr or Pacquiao. Diaz would be facing an opponent with better power than Juan Manuel Marquez and Nate Campbell, and would be in serious trouble unless Hatton’s chin really is as bad as some people think it is.

Although Diaz would be involved in fighting Hatton, mainly because of the big money that a clash like that would generate for him, I’m not so sure that Hatton would be forced enough to get back in training and take the fight. Even though Diaz is a boxer that is tailor made for Hatton, he might still be a little shell shocked from his loss to Pacquiao. Hatton needs to think taking this wrestle because Diaz is the perfect enemy for him and it would help Hatton get his career back in order. It doesn’t be the issue what Diaz does in the circle against Hatton, I can’t see Diaz having much chance in denting Hatton’s chin.

At close range, Hatton is hazardous and would be hitting Diaz with some major shots. Diaz didn’t look superior against Malignaggi in the second half of their fight, and had Malignaggi had a little more authority, he almost certainly would have stopped Diaz. Hatton would be bringing big influence into the ring and I doubt badly whether Diaz would even make it to the 6th round if he elected to slug with Hatton.