Great boxer, but im afriad he's not world class. He shouldnt be struggling to put down this guy. People pay to watch him in fights like this, he should have 3 more fights against middle of class boxers, and go out on top. Hes just not good enough for another crack at Mayweather.
Have to disagree People like Lazcano don't get knocked out, they stay the 12 rounds all the time. Mayweather is one of the greatest of all time, which is a step up from world class in my eyes. What Ricky is proving now is that he's still the best light welter weight in the World. This isn't vintage Ricky by a long way but he'd wipe the floor with Malignaggi
RE: Have to disagree Im not convinced. I'd like to see Hatton fight another big one - but I dont think he's got the class. The top top boxers are too quick for him, and hes all about landing punches, which they stop him doing.
1 defeat in 40 plus fights suggests otherwise Some of the punches he landed tonight would have knocked out every non South American light welter in the world. One defeat against one of the top ten fighters of all time. Awesome record
A few times tonight he looked as if he was just swinging and hoping to land without any real accuracy or thought behind his shots.
RE: 1 defeat in 40 plus fights suggests otherwise Also the Mayweather fight was up at 147. Hatton is still the best light heavyweight in the world. Id like to see Mayweather drop to 140 but its never gonna happen.
hes the best boxer in the world at his level no doubt!...cant believe people are questioning it His oponent tonight is tough as old boots and just becasue he aint knocked him does'nt mean he aint world class, because at his weight he is THE BEST!
I'm not questioning his ability and I too have no doubt he is the best at his weight. But I do think a few times tonight he looked a little unitdy, not to take anything away from the overall performace
RE: 1 defeat in 40 plus fights suggests otherwise Hatton will not be classed at one of the greatest ever though. He has the backing and following because of the style of fighting he produces. At the end of his career he'll be judged on the big fights, not the 38 fights against run of the mill and over the hill fighters. Unfortunately for Hatton he probably needs to fight Mayweather again and when the final bell rings on his career he we be judged on those - which will deem him a great fighter, but not one of the best in history. I like him, but his style and non commitment to the sport will always count against him. You cant have a curry, guiness and baileys diet inbetween fights.
Beating Malignaggi will prove all that A British fighter unifying the titles at Maddison Square Garden..................and people will still question his preperation and his ability. Like you say at 140 Hatton is head and shoulders above the others in his division. Again, not vintage Hatton tonight, but some of the punches he landed (and took on the chin) were nothing short of awesome. Malignaggi was shouting his mouth before tonight, bet he's quaking in his boots. Can't wait to go to New York
I think you're being too critical Hatton is a two weight World Champion, who if he fights and beats Malignaggi in New York and unifies the titles will have achieved more than 90% of boxers in history could hope for. He drinks Guiness and eats curry in between fights.....................yet not once have I seen him enter the ring without been in awesome shape. That won't count against him because it's worked for his career.
I think people have a right to question his preperation He readily admits that he goes straight on the curry and guiness with baileys chassers. The body just can not cope with losing 2 stones in 6 weeks and take the punishment top boxers dish out.
RE: I think you're being too critical I started the thread by saying he is a great boxer - but not up there. I believe people are not critical of Hatton because of the style of boxing, when in this day and age we see to many poor fights. He serves up great fights against average performers. I like Hatton and watch all his fights, as I will carry on doing so...... just wished he'd show the same commitment Calzage does to the sport.
You say top boxers Do you mean Castillo, Collazo, Kostya? He got a pounding by Mayweather, but that was at his unatural weight against a living legend in the boxing World. He lost his cool, composure, and to be fair it still took Mayweather 4 rounds of been on top to knock Hatton out. Hatton, in my eyes, is one of the top 5, if not top 3, British boxers of all time. You want to talk about lack of dedication to the sport then look no further than Fraudley Harrison and Prince Naseem, don't look at Ricky Hatton.
he admitted it was the nervous he has been for a fight to date think he was outstanding from start to finiahs given the circumstances yes at times hes untidy but thats his way.
A lot of people have never heard of Henry Wharton. They'd say that world class fighters like Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank should be putting people like him down but they never looked like doing so, in fact, after outpointing Henry, Nigel Benn had to go to hospital because he was passing blood. I remember looking up into Chris Eubank's face as he sat in his corner at the end of roundeight and he shook his head at his trainer as if to say, "What doI have to do?" Afterwards he said, "Mr Wharton is made of stone." Not many people gave Henry a chance for the world title but he was a bloody hard test for anyone,both took a beating and they had to dig deep to outpoint him.
I remember Henry Wharton Tough as old boots, walked through punches like they were never there. One of the reasons the middleweight division at the time was so exciting, in a British sense that is.
RE: A lot of people have never heard of Henry Wharton. I went to the same school as some members of his family. He was genuine celebrity in York at that time (and is still very recognisable) - you see him driving round in his blue BMW M3 convertable. He made very good money simply out of the fact that he was a proper test for the very best boxers around at that time. He might not have been a champion, but he showed that it's not just that black and white, he was as hard as nails.
