Ricky Hatton "major announcement"

[freddydoesdallas]

But true,if your not a fan,which i never was

I give him credit for stepping in the ring,something i could never do i wouldn't have enough bottle,i just feel some of his biggest wins weren't all that great that's all.

Would it kill you to give him some credit?

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

[bigjack]

I give him credit for stepping in the ring,something i could never do i wouldn't have enough bottle,i just feel some of his biggest wins weren't all that great that's all.

Would it kill you to give him some credit?

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

I don't neeed a reason,do you like every fighter that's ever lived,thought not

[freddydoesdallas]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

I don't neeed a reason,do you like every fighter that's ever lived,thought not

What a ridiculous answer. Essentially, you're saying that you have no reason for never liking Hatton throughout his career. So you didn't enjoy his early fights on sky against the likes of Magee etc, you didn't enjoy the fight against Tszyu or any of the other big fights that he had later on in his career?

If i don't like a fighter, i have a reason for it. In the main, i do like most boxers and even if i don't i still enjoy watching their fights

[Chambers2]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

The decade of ducking Junior Witter????

[freddydoesdallas]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

The decade of ducking Junior Witter????

Ideally, we'd have all liked to have seen that fight and there's always a few reasons knocking about as to why it never happened but it's not like he sat back in his comfort zone without taking on any risks is it? If he'd have avoided all the big names and stayed in Manchester defending that WBU title for the whole of his career then the Witter fight would rightly be a stick to beat him with.

If Mayweather & Manny never fight is that going to be a reason to not like either of them?

[Chambers2]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

The decade of ducking Junior Witter????

Ideally, we'd have all liked to have seen that fight and there's always a few reasons knocking about as to why it never happened but it's not like he sat back in his comfort zone without taking on any risks is it? If he'd have avoided all the big names and stayed in Manchester defending that WBU title for the whole of his career then the Witter fight would rightly be a stick to beat him with.

If Mayweather & Manny never fight is that going to be a reason to not like either of them?

If Floyd ducks Manny for the rest of his career then my opinion of him will dramatically decrease. The ducking's even worse when both come from the same country with a lot of bad blood between them IMO
(I'm not getting into this discussion again though)

[freddydoesdallas]

The decade of ducking Junior Witter????

Ideally, we'd have all liked to have seen that fight and there's always a few reasons knocking about as to why it never happened but it's not like he sat back in his comfort zone without taking on any risks is it? If he'd have avoided all the big names and stayed in Manchester defending that WBU title for the whole of his career then the Witter fight would rightly be a stick to beat him with.

If Mayweather & Manny never fight is that going to be a reason to not like either of them?

If Floyd ducks Manny for the rest of his career then my opinion of him will dramatically decrease. The ducking's even worse when both come from the same country with a lot of bad blood between them IMO
(I'm not getting into this discussion again though)

I don't particularly want to get into all that either. It's not clear that Mayweather is ducking Manny though, Mayweather is just in the bad guy role with Manny being whiter than white meaning that Mayweather takes all the flak regardless. Both are at fault for this

[Floatlikeabutterfly]

Obviously we've known for a long time he wouldn't box again but I really think we ought to be paying tribute to a guy who made the absolute most of his talents, always left everything in the ring and was a really great British fighter.

Yes, he's had his troubles with the booze and drugs and yes his lifestyle out of the ring left a bit to be desired but the guy only ever lost to the the two best pound for pound fighters on the planet and had some great wins.

True warrior and wish him all the best.

Spot on, Good luck Ricky in all you do, you gave us some great nights, and hopefully more to come with Hatton Promotions

[forcefraser]

I`m certainly not a Hatton hater, I used to enjoy the circus around his fights.

For me though, when I look at his fights, I don`t see enough to support some of the comments about how great a fighter he was. He was certainly very good, but he has not really beaten that many top fighters in my book.

Tsyu was a great win, but Tsyu was on the slide, I don`t care what anyone says. Struggled against Collazo badly, beat a totally shot castillo and was beaten convincingly the two times whe stepped up into genuine world class in their prime fighters.

Looking back, his best result for me is actually against Urango and Malinaggi, which is not all that really.

What he achieved in terms of financial success was staggering and fair play to him, but not a "great" fighter for me.

[Twinkle Toes]

There is a lot of revised thinking when it comes to the Tszyu fight, barely anyone gave him a chance beforehand - It's very poor form to discredit that win, and ten times out ten it comes from people who called the fight totally wrong at the time.

The Tszyu fight for me was a great performance, but I also think it was the beginning of the end for him - The bullish tactics employed in that fight became the norm therein after, and the face first approach was only going to end in disaster at some point.

I didn't enjoy many of his fights post Tszyu.

[freddydoesdallas]

There is a lot of revised thinking when it comes to the Tszyu fight, barely anyone gave him a chance beforehand - It's very poor form to discredit that win, and ten times out ten it comes from people who called the fight totally wrong at the time.

The Tszyu fight for me was a great performance, but I also think it was the beginning of the end for him - The bullish tactics employed in that fight became the norm therein after, and the face first approach was only going to end in disaster at some point.

I didn't enjoy many of his fights post Tszyu.

Tszyu was 1/3 and i don't think many boxing journos gave Hatton a chance. To balance this a bit though, Lacy was the same price and people really revised their opinions on him. Suppose the difference is that Lacy was never really proven at that point and lost to a lot lesser fighters after

[Chambers2]

Ideally, we'd have all liked to have seen that fight and there's always a few reasons knocking about as to why it never happened but it's not like he sat back in his comfort zone without taking on any risks is it? If he'd have avoided all the big names and stayed in Manchester defending that WBU title for the whole of his career then the Witter fight would rightly be a stick to beat him with.

If Mayweather & Manny never fight is that going to be a reason to not like either of them?

If Floyd ducks Manny for the rest of his career then my opinion of him will dramatically decrease. The ducking's even worse when both come from the same country with a lot of bad blood between them IMO
(I'm not getting into this discussion again though)

I don't particularly want to get into all that either. It's not clear that Mayweather is ducking Manny though, Mayweather is just in the bad guy role with Manny being whiter than white meaning that Mayweather takes all the flak regardless. Both are at fault for this

Quite possibly, that wasn't the case between Hatton and Witter though (def last post on thisn subject)

[freddydoesdallas]

If Floyd ducks Manny for the rest of his career then my opinion of him will dramatically decrease. The ducking's even worse when both come from the same country with a lot of bad blood between them IMO
(I'm not getting into this discussion again though)

I don't particularly want to get into all that either. It's not clear that Mayweather is ducking Manny though, Mayweather is just in the bad guy role with Manny being whiter than white meaning that Mayweather takes all the flak regardless. Both are at fault for this

Quite possibly, that wasn't the case between Hatton and Witter though (def last post on thisn subject)

Same here

[bigjack]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

I don't neeed a reason,do you like every fighter that's ever lived,thought not

What a ridiculous answer. Essentially, you're saying that you have no reason for never liking Hatton throughout his career. So you didn't enjoy his early fights on sky against the likes of Magee etc, you didn't enjoy the fight against Tszyu or any of the other big fights that he had later on in his career?

If i don't like a fighter, i have a reason for it. In the main, i do like most boxers and even if i don't i still enjoy watching their fights

What i meant was that i don't have to explain to you why i don't like a fighter,but as your asking,then here we go,taking on a string of has beens and never were's during that wbu title run,avoiding witter,calling himself a double world champ when in my opinion he lost to collazo and failing to prepair properly for fights and then expecting british fans to part with hard earned cash to follow him to the states,to put in his worst ever performance against pacman,who was hardly on a run of ko wins,i could go on but i can't be bothered to be honest

[freddydoesdallas]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

I don't neeed a reason,do you like every fighter that's ever lived,thought not

What a ridiculous answer. Essentially, you're saying that you have no reason for never liking Hatton throughout his career. So you didn't enjoy his early fights on sky against the likes of Magee etc, you didn't enjoy the fight against Tszyu or any of the other big fights that he had later on in his career?

If i don't like a fighter, i have a reason for it. In the main, i do like most boxers and even if i don't i still enjoy watching their fights

What i meant was that i don't have to explain to you why i don't like a fighter,but as your asking,then here we go,taking on a string of has beens and never were's during that wbu title run,avoiding witter,calling himself a double world champ when in my opinion he lost to collazo and failing to prepair properly for fights and then expecting british fans to part with hard earned cash to follow him to the states,to put in his worst ever performance against pacman,who was hardly on a run of ko wins,i could go on but i can't be bothered to be honest[/quote]

All of the usual clichés then which really does put you in the daft category. You said you never liked him, how about his career before the WBU title? Like it or not, the judges had him winning that fight as did many others.

Some people like to piss on successful peoples bonfire, especially in this country. I blame the parents

[bigjack]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

I don't neeed a reason,do you like every fighter that's ever lived,thought not

What a ridiculous answer. Essentially, you're saying that you have no reason for never liking Hatton throughout his career. So you didn't enjoy his early fights on sky against the likes of Magee etc, you didn't enjoy the fight against Tszyu or any of the other big fights that he had later on in his career?

If i don't like a fighter, i have a reason for it. In the main, i do like most boxers and even if i don't i still enjoy watching their fights

What i meant was that i don't have to explain to you why i don't like a fighter,but as your asking,then here we go,taking on a string of has beens and never were's during that wbu title run,avoiding witter,calling himself a double world champ when in my opinion he lost to collazo and failing to prepair properly for fights and then expecting british fans to part with hard earned cash to follow him to the states,to put in his worst ever performance against pacman,who was hardly on a run of ko wins,i could go on but i can't be bothered to be honest[/quote]

All of the usual clichés then which really does put you in the daft category. You said you never liked him, how about his career before the WBU title? Like it or not, the judges had him winning that fight as did many others.

Some people like to piss on successful peoples bonfire, especially in this country. I blame the parents[/quote]

You like him and i don't,end of pointless conversation,maybe it's just me but i find it difficult to seperate a boxers antics inside the ring from those outside it,hence the reason i don't like mike tyson,the convicted rapist

[Trojans44]

Hatton didn’t duck Junior Witter. This suggests he was scared of him, he wasn’t, the TV bods were more wary of Witter than anyone else. There was a small window of opportunity for this one, as was the case recently with DeGale-Groves, and the only people who fancied it were the fighters themselves. Hatton was being built up along the Sky and US TV route, it paid off for him and allowed him to net major fights against guys far better than Junior.

Only a drooling gibbon could claim that Hatton swerved Witter but took on Tszyu, Mayweather and Manny.

I actually think that Urango was a better fighter, and TV attraction, than Junior so no ‘Yeah but Hatton fought Collazo, Urango and Castillo rather than Witter’ guff.

Tremendous post. Its simply incredible that people criticise a guy who fought Pacqiauo and Mayweather for taking on little Junior Witter! Witter was never anywhere near Hatton's class and his career will be defined by trying hang on to Hatton's coat tails. I remember reading boxing monthly prior to the Tszyu fight and I think one 'expert' out of 30 odd gave Hatton a chance. Also Tszyu fought hard that night, he didnt just fold and at that time Hatton was a world class opponent. Clearly then Tszyu was not washed up. Collazo was a brilliant and undefeated ww when Hatton beat him much more handily than some on here suggest. Urango was also, and still is, a world rated fighter and Hatton dominated him easily. Who else took out Castillo with one shot? Maussa was no 1 contender and a titlist. Malinaggi was no 1 contender and a titlist and the consensus at the time was that he was brilliant and that the fight was 50-50. Nobody has laid more of a beat down on him to this day, including Khan and Cotto. Hatton also did way better against Mayweather than several others since. Hatton fought everyone he could reasonably be expected to fight, forced his way into elite level and was the greatest ambassador the sport in this country has ever had. He was a brilliant undisputed champion and lost only to the two greatest fighters of their era.

If you cant admire Hatton and recognise how good a fighter he was and then go on and post praising some of the shite that passes for 'world class' these days I really have to question why you follow the sport at all.

[Matt W]

Hatton didn’t duck Junior Witter. This suggests he was scared of him, he wasn’t, the TV bods were more wary of Witter than anyone else. There was a small window of opportunity for this one, as was the case recently with DeGale-Groves, and the only people who fancied it were the fighters themselves. Hatton was being built up along the Sky and US TV route, it paid off for him and allowed him to net major fights against guys far better than Junior.

Only a drooling gibbon could claim that Hatton swerved Witter but took on Tszyu, Mayweather and Manny.

I actually think that Urango was a better fighter, and TV attraction, than Junior so no ‘Yeah but Hatton fought Collazo, Urango and Castillo rather than Witter’ guff.

Tremendous post. Its simply incredible that people criticise a guy who fought Pacqiauo and Mayweather for taking on little Junior Witter! Witter was never anywhere near Hatton's class and his career will be defined by trying hang on to Hatton's coat tails. I remember reading boxing monthly prior to the Tszyu fight and I think one 'expert' out of 30 odd gave Hatton a chance. Also Tszyu fought hard that night, he didnt just fold and at that time Hatton was a world class opponent. Clearly then Tszyu was not washed up. Collazo was a brilliant and undefeated ww when Hatton beat him much more handily than some on here suggest. Urango was also, and still is, a world rated fighter and Hatton dominated him easily. Who else took out Castillo with one shot? Maussa was no 1 contender and a titlist. Malinaggi was no 1 contender and a titlist and the consensus at the time was that he was brilliant and that the fight was 50-50. Nobody has laid more of a beat down on him to this day, including Khan and Cotto. Hatton also did way better against Mayweather than several others since. Hatton fought everyone he could reasonably be expected to fight, forced his way into elite level and was the greatest ambassador the sport in this country has ever had. He was a brilliant undisputed champion and lost only to the two greatest fighters of their era.

If you cant admire Hatton and recognise how good a fighter he was and then go on and post praising some of the shite that passes for 'world class' these days I really have to question why you follow the sport at all.

Absolutely. To all those with a boner over Witter, who did he beat that comes anywhere near Hatton's list of opponents? Even in defeat for my money Hatton gave a much better account of himself against Mayweather than Witter did against Bradley.

[greenyox3]

You sound like some kind of poncey music fan who doesn't like a band because they 'sold out'! What reason did you have for never liking Hatton then?

I don't neeed a reason,do you like every fighter that's ever lived,thought not

What a ridiculous answer. Essentially, you're saying that you have no reason for never liking Hatton throughout his career. So you didn't enjoy his early fights on sky against the likes of Magee etc, you didn't enjoy the fight against Tszyu or any of the other big fights that he had later on in his career?

If i don't like a fighter, i have a reason for it. In the main, i do like most boxers and even if i don't i still enjoy watching their fights

What i meant was that i don't have to explain to you why i don't like a fighter,but as your asking,then here we go,taking on a string of has beens and never were's during that wbu title run,avoiding witter,calling himself a double world champ when in my opinion he lost to collazo and failing to prepair properly for fights and then expecting british fans to part with hard earned cash to follow him to the states,to put in his worst ever performance against pacman,who was hardly on a run of ko wins,i could go on but i can't be bothered to be honest[/quote]

You're suggesting Pacquiao wasn't on top of his game when he beat Hatton?

Hatton never "expected" his fans to travel across the world to watch him. They made the choice to do that. Why was that?

Witter never made commercial sense, because he was never in an exciting fight in his life. I wouldn't have paid the £50 for a ticket to Witter vs Anyone, even Hatton.

Can't be bothered? Don't make an argument if you "can't be bothered" to back it up fully.

[forcefraser]

I had to question Hatton`s loyalty to his fans when they were selling face value fight tickets for his fights in the states, on his website at a dollar to pound conversion rate of 1:1

That`s not the way to treat loyal fans is it?

[mickey1975]

I had to question Hatton`s loyalty to his fans when they were selling face value fight tickets for his fights in the states, on his website at a dollar to pound conversion rate of 1:1

That`s not the way to treat loyal fans is it?

I met Ricky at Amir Khans debut in Bolton a few weeks after he beat Tszyu. He could not have been more accomaditng towards his fans, signing autographs and posing for photos. I bumped into him again a couple of years later and.... To be polite, i think outside influnces got involved.

[Counter-puncher]

I had to question Hatton`s loyalty to his fans when they were selling face value fight tickets for his fights in the states, on his website at a dollar to pound conversion rate of 1:1

That`s not the way to treat loyal fans is it?

I met Ricky at Amir Khans debut in Bolton a few weeks after he beat Tszyu. He could not have been more accomaditng towards his fans, signing autographs and posing for photos. I bumped into him again a couple of years later and.... To be polite, i think outside influnces got involved.

interesting, mickey, in as much as i don't see you as having an axe to grind.... its always a shame when anyone goes a bit billy big balls, friends or sport heroes or whatever.

[mickey1975]

I had to question Hatton`s loyalty to his fans when they were selling face value fight tickets for his fights in the states, on his website at a dollar to pound conversion rate of 1:1

That`s not the way to treat loyal fans is it?

I met Ricky at Amir Khans debut in Bolton a few weeks after he beat Tszyu. He could not have been more accomaditng towards his fans, signing autographs and posing for photos. I bumped into him again a couple of years later and.... To be polite, i think outside influnces got involved.

interesting, mickey, in as much as i don't see you as having an axe to grind.... its always a shame when anyone goes a bit billy big balls, friends or sport heroes or whatever.

I dont have an axe to grind, and as i say he was brilliant then. A few years later you had to get past his pal to even speak to him. Fair enough, he was very popular and it was probably hard work for him to even have a peaceful night out, but, to be honest, i did not like his pal. Still see him ringside at Hatton shows on Sky. I know his name, which i am sure you do, but i got a bollocking off Ian in a Hamburg bar for posting stuff i should not have done!

[Counter-puncher]

i get you mate

[bigjack]

Hatton didn’t duck Junior Witter. This suggests he was scared of him, he wasn’t, the TV bods were more wary of Witter than anyone else. There was a small window of opportunity for this one, as was the case recently with DeGale-Groves, and the only people who fancied it were the fighters themselves. Hatton was being built up along the Sky and US TV route, it paid off for him and allowed him to net major fights against guys far better than Junior.

Only a drooling gibbon could claim that Hatton swerved Witter but took on Tszyu, Mayweather and Manny.

I actually think that Urango was a better fighter, and TV attraction, than Junior so no ‘Yeah but Hatton fought Collazo, Urango and Castillo rather than Witter’ guff.

Tremendous post. Its simply incredible that people criticise a guy who fought Pacqiauo and Mayweather for taking on little Junior Witter! Witter was never anywhere near Hatton's class and his career will be defined by trying hang on to Hatton's coat tails. I remember reading boxing monthly prior to the Tszyu fight and I think one 'expert' out of 30 odd gave Hatton a chance. Also Tszyu fought hard that night, he didnt just fold and at that time Hatton was a world class opponent. Clearly then Tszyu was not washed up. Collazo was a brilliant and undefeated ww when Hatton beat him much more handily than some on here suggest. Urango was also, and still is, a world rated fighter and Hatton dominated him easily. Who else took out Castillo with one shot? Maussa was no 1 contender and a titlist. Malinaggi was no 1 contender and a titlist and the consensus at the time was that he was brilliant and that the fight was 50-50. Nobody has laid more of a beat down on him to this day, including Khan and Cotto. Hatton also did way better against Mayweather than several others since. Hatton fought everyone he could reasonably be expected to fight, forced his way into elite level and was the greatest ambassador the sport in this country has ever had. He was a brilliant undisputed champion and lost only to the two greatest fighters of their era.

If you cant admire Hatton and recognise how good a fighter he was and then go on and post praising some of the shite that passes for 'world class' these days I really have to question why you follow the sport at all.

The reason hatton fought mayweather,pac etc was because they had a title and also he was getting millions of dollars for it,also whether witter was in the same class or not isn't the point,maussa was a pile of crap but hatton fought him,it was what the public wanted at the time