Hatton gets Oliveira

[don't call it a comeback]

Guys guys open your eyes to the bigger picture here. Yes hatton has wasted 2004 there is no debate there, I totally agree its been farcicial BUT his last fight against stewart drew a half full arena, you think that SN and FW are blind to this. They havemoived the show to London and why is that do you think?
The public voted with their feet and they now know they have to up the ante, I DO believe a big fight will happen for hatton early next year in which case it would be pretty stupid to put him in with a top ten opponent at this juncture, thats my point.

I thought the lack of December dates when the MEN was free was one reason this fight was moved down to London.

This fight as a tune-up for Tszyu/Mitchell makes sense. And also I believe that both Warren and and Hatton sincerely want to make that fight. I just think Warren lacks the negotiating skill to make it happen anytime soon. I hope I am proved wrong.

[lirva33]

Guys guys open your eyes to the bigger picture here. Yes hatton has wasted 2004 there is no debate there, I totally agree its been farcicial BUT his last fight against stewart drew a half full arena, you think that SN and FW are blind to this. They havemoived the show to London and why is that do you think?
The public voted with their feet and they now know they have to up the ante, I DO believe a big fight will happen for hatton early next year in which case it would be pretty stupid to put him in with a top ten opponent at this juncture, thats my point.

I thought the lack of December dates when the MEN was free was one reason this fight was moved down to London.

This fight as a tune-up for Tszyu/Mitchell makes sense. And also I believe that both Warren and and Hatton sincerely want to make that fight. I just think Warren lacks the negotiating skill to make it happen anytime soon. I hope I am proved wrong.

If you believe that, you are a complete idiot. No doubt.

I'm seriously considering setting up hattoncott.com but I'd probably get sued by Warren.

[don't call it a comeback]

Guys guys open your eyes to the bigger picture here. Yes hatton has wasted 2004 there is no debate there, I totally agree its been farcicial BUT his last fight against stewart drew a half full arena, you think that SN and FW are blind to this. They havemoived the show to London and why is that do you think?
The public voted with their feet and they now know they have to up the ante, I DO believe a big fight will happen for hatton early next year in which case it would be pretty stupid to put him in with a top ten opponent at this juncture, thats my point.

I thought the lack of December dates when the MEN was free was one reason this fight was moved down to London.

This fight as a tune-up for Tszyu/Mitchell makes sense. And also I believe that both Warren and and Hatton sincerely want to make that fight. I just think Warren lacks the negotiating skill to make it happen anytime soon. I hope I am proved wrong.

If you believe that, you are a complete idiot. No doubt.

I'm seriously considering setting up hattoncott.com but I'd probably get sued by Warren.

Listen buddy you'll get sued by me if you call me a complete idiot again.

I'm no Warren fan and I've told Ricky to his face that he can't keep talking about fights that never happen. He wants the fights. He loves combat - even an idiot can see that.

You, I don't know who you are but you sure have a lot of bile.

[J]

Guys guys open your eyes to the bigger picture here. Yes hatton has wasted 2004 there is no debate there, I totally agree its been farcicial BUT his last fight against stewart drew a half full arena, you think that SN and FW are blind to this. They havemoived the show to London and why is that do you think?
The public voted with their feet and they now know they have to up the ante, I DO believe a big fight will happen for hatton early next year in which case it would be pretty stupid to put him in with a top ten opponent at this juncture, thats my point.

Yeah but I'm sure SN realised the real reason for the low turn out was down to it being a Friday night.

Almost guaranteed Ricky's Man City fans wil turn out in force for another Saturday knock over job - I mean they have no real idea if the guy he's facing is any good do they? ( Until they see him, that is )

Im not so sure mate, its all over the evening press in Manchester isnt it, and its pretty well publicised I dont think all of them are blind fans just turning up.

Thing is Im trying to be reasonble here, Im trying a little bit to be devils advocate cos I do think he will get a decent shot next year. He is still a wolrd class operator and some of the stick he gets is bordering on ludicrous its never ending.
I mean anyone who expects him to take on a world top five oppoenent at this present juncture is basically just blinded by hatred and bias.

Just asking for a bit of reason and fairness tis all. If the fight doesnt happen in spring / summer next year for a decent belt I think people are fully justified to write hatton off, but the fact is he is pretty well placed to fight for a class belt next year, little bit of encouragement wouldnt go amiss.

Its a marking time fight due to the fact he is in a marking time situation, Kosyta and Shamrba will have fought their plans will be more apparent after their clash, so he will either be in a postion to fight for the vacant title or challenge one of the above, thats what we hope for anyway surely.

though I wouldnt have guessed as much reading some of the comments on here.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I totally understand him taking a keep busy fight, but Oliveira sounds like he will be absolutely dead at light welter, who knows perhaps it will be a non-title bout over the weight. If the guy is weight drained like that, he will be nothing more than a punchbag, that surely won't do Hatton much good in preparation.

As for Hatton loving combat, I think he does genuinely enjoy the sport and the challenge, but I think he also thinks he should be able to dictate terms. It's all well and good saying you aren't scared of anyone, but when it comes to negotiating, he has to realise he isn't the biggest player in the sport, especially if he demands that people come to the UK to fight him.

There's a tradeoff here, and people are too quick to blame allegedly for preventing Ricky from getting the big fights. I do wonder how much of it is Ricky's demands hampering fights happening. I've heard various rumours of demands scuppering fights, which I shaln't go into obviously. They are of course only rumours, and we all know how dangerous they are.

I have been, and remain a fan of Ricky Hatton's style, but at 37-0, and still defending his WBU belt, it's easy to see how and why people are frustrated.

It's almost as if Hatton believes himself to have made terms for a fight with Tszyu, I know he is now mandatory, but we all know how little that can mean in today's climate.

If Ricky fights Tszyu or Mitchell next, I will gladly and humbly eat my words, and I will be made up to see Ricky take that final step. It's been a long time coming, and it will be welcome to see another British fighter take
a tilt at a title.

[J]

fair comment as usual jimmy!

[Coconut]

Could it be done catch weight or even welter?

[nickd]

Hatton will not face the winner of Tszyu v Mitchell I am willing to wager money with anybody on that. Any takers??

[jamesmcdonnell]

Could it be done catch weight or even welter?

That's what I think, maybe it will be a non-title bout, (non WBU) and Hatton will come in nearer welterweight rather than light welterweight. Just a wild stab in the dark.

[knockout artist]

We are wasting our time talking about the Hatton - Olive Oil fight.

Its a shit match.

Hatton 37-0, alledgedly world class, and not yet fought for a major title.

Must be a record for modern boxing, and says more about the lack of confidence in putting Hatton in with the true world class fighters at 140lb.

I wont be watching it and I will not be renewing my SKy Subscription.

I'm gonna watch boxing on the internet from now on. £4.99 per month, loads of fights, and a weekly magazine show.

Much better value than SKY, Hatton, Calzaghe et al.

[Wilko]

According to allegedly.tv it is a title bout and will be Ricky's 15th defence of the belt.

I can understand people defending this fight if it REALLY is a mark time fight but if the last 12-18 months are anything to go by you can't blame people for having lost faith.

Will be interesting to hear the Sky commentry on this one - will it be "still not good enough, he needs the big names" or will it be "record defence by Hatton etc etc".[/quote]

[don't call it a comeback]

Could it be done catch weight or even welter?

I see no reason why not given its only the WBU we are talking about.

Remember that Oliveira fought at 147 only a couple of weeks ago so should be able to ship it down to 142-143 pretty easily. I agree those last few pounds are likely to be a problem for him at 36 if he wants to keep his strength.

[TerribleTerry]

Ricky is putting un-necessary miles on his clock, forcing himself down to 10 st with this series of match ups. Oliveira may be the best of his recent opposition but is old and will be weight drained, as has been stated.

He HAS to get the big fights now, if ever at all. He is nearing 40 fights, which is alot in the modern games, especially all at one weight.

Ricky is fully experienced and peaking - these fights do nothing for him IMO

[Zhuge]

Listen buddy you'll get sued by me if you call me a complete idiot again.

Sue someone over a comment made on a message board?

I'm no Warren fan and I've told Ricky to his face that he can't keep talking about fights that never happen. He wants the fights. He loves combat - even an idiot can see that.

You, I don't know who you are but you sure have a lot of bile.

Then you can tell Ricky to his face that many of his fans have lost interest in his continual series of "title defenses" against lightweights, washed-out contendors, and guys Mitchell already beat first. He hasn't had a fight televised on the U.S. in quite some time because Showtime now thinks he's a joke as well, and continually fighting Pedersen, Vilches, and now Oliveira aren't going to change that.

Hatton will fight anyone? Why hasn't he fought Witter. Why did the fight against Mitchell fall through? What happened to him fighting Spadafora? Why did he withdraw as the mandatory against Vivian Harris? Someone who is willing to fight anyone wouldn't give up a chance at the WBA belt to keep defending the WBU title.

[lirva33]

Hatton will not face the winner of Tszyu v Mitchell I am willing to wager money with anybody on that. Any takers??

you won't get any takers. Some people will swear that Hatton will fight the winner but I guarantee you they wouldn't put their money where their mouth is when Ricky "The Coward" Hatton is involved.

[J]

i think calling him a coward is bit strong mate. you stepped in the ring have ya, trained like a dog and had you face cut open on numerous occasions? No didnt think so.

For the record I think he will fight for the vacant belt.

[nickd]

i think calling him a coward is bit strong mate. you stepped in the ring have ya, trained like a dog and had you face cut open on numerous occasions? No didnt think so.

For the record I think he will fight for the vacant belt.

For the vacant belt against a blown up lightweight no doubt..... happy days.

[J]

and cotyo hasnt been fighting them no? Whatever im done for now with this topic!
Always the same on here Im afraid when it comes to Hatton you guys are right he shoudl be fighting Mayweather in the States in Dec, preferably in as large as ring as possible - 3 months before he is next in line to fight for the IBF / WBA / WBO title.


give me strength.

[jamesmcdonnell]

That's a fair point, Cotto has been beating similar competition, however, he's only had 22 fights, so that's pretty good progress for Cotto. He's been a professional a lot shorter period too, and is showing a much more advanced pace, which doesn't seem to be doing him any harm.

Having said that, I don't think he's any more proven that Hatton, but has proven he and his promoters are less cautious about moving him on. The Pinto bout is a very hard win to guage, as hardly anyone knew anything about him.

[lirva33]

i think calling him a coward is bit strong mate. you stepped in the ring have ya, trained like a dog and had you face cut open on numerous occasions? No didnt think so.

For the record I think he will fight for the vacant belt.

I have actually, but this isn't about me. I'm just like the majority of people, sick of Hatton fighting bums and cowardly refusing to fight good fighters, all the while he's screwing the fans out of money and dragging boxing down. He's proven he's afraid to fight the top fighters. It doesn't take much courage to fight bums while calling out the best. I'm glad the fans are catching on to his cowardly antics.

[Chris the fighter]

As a fellow boxer then you would acknowledge that no one is a coward
who steps into a ring your been a bit hard on Hatton maybe your Junior Witter!! OK your probably not but think what your type whats happened to Hatton this year is not his fault.
1. Pinto pulling out not his fault
2. Harris pricing himself out maybe more down to Warren not been able to
pay him no US tv.
3. Mitchell well it was only for the interim title so I can sort of understand him not taking that fight in a way.
4. The Stewart fight well it was the IBF who mandated this for a shot at their title not Hattons fault blame them for not him not fighting a top 10 fighter.

[Smit]

As a fellow boxer then you would acknowledge that no one is a coward
who steps into a ring your been a bit hard on Hatton maybe your Junior Witter!! OK your probably not but think what your type whats happened to Hatton this year is not his fault.
1. Pinto pulling out not his fault
2. Harris pricing himself out maybe more down to Warren not been able to
pay him no US tv.
3. Mitchell well it was only for the interim title so I can sort of understand him not taking that fight in a way.
4. The Stewart fight well it was the IBF who mandated this for a shot at their title not Hattons fault blame them for not him not fighting a top 10 fighter.

So pulling out of TWO mandatory positions isn't cowardly?

One could be argued as being acceptable but to pull out of mandatory position for the WBA was ridiculous.

If he thinks he's getting a shot at the winner of Tszyu/Mitchell he's Delusional

[Chris the fighter]

Pulling out of mandatories ain't being cowardly they could not agree terms
thats it not his fault. That for me does not make him a coward Ricky Hatton has been cut a few times in his career and has not quit or complained. I think the word coward is branded about boxers too freely. His career has stalled in recent months I'm not sure he will ever be a real world champion but that does not make him a coward.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I don't think Ricky is a coward, that's an inaccurate description, he is a brave fighter who has never shown himself to be lilly livered in the ring.

I will say though that he appears to want the path of least resistance toward getting a world title. After Tackie it seemed he might just take his chances with the big boys, but he's trodden a very very cautious path.

Cotto by contast took two steps up in N'dou and Pinto, both of which were seen by many as risky fights.

Whilst some people would call what he is doing wise, in that he isn't sacrificing himself, his earning potential, or risking the wrong fight on the wrong terms, but it isn't going to win him many admirers outside of manchester.

[don't call it a comeback]

i think calling him a coward is bit strong mate. you stepped in the ring have ya, trained like a dog and had you face cut open on numerous occasions? No didnt think so.

For the record I think he will fight for the vacant belt.

I have actually, but this isn't about me. I'm just like the majority of people, sick of Hatton fighting bums and cowardly refusing to fight good fighters, all the while he's screwing the fans out of money and dragging boxing down. He's proven he's afraid to fight the top fighters. It doesn't take much courage to fight bums while calling out the best. I'm glad the fans are catching on to his cowardly antics.

You claim to be a fighter? who are you then? And what great fights against the worlds top ten have you been involved with? And if not, does that make you a COWARD????