what now for hatton?

[Brute]

He would have been better off starting his comeback against a prelim fighter rather than a recent champion.

[Finn]

I think if Hatton had fought someone decent like witter first he would have worked off the ring rust and probably beaten Senchenko he would then maybe have had a shout at being competitive against Paulie.

He could certainly come back and get a win but it all depends on what he is aiming for. I wouldnt want to see him in against a puncher or anyone who could make him look sloppy. i worry about him a bit after that interview, he could do with speaking to someone else who have ended their careers in the same manner.

Hatton far was easy to hit tonight and the last thing he needed to be facing is a puncher (Witter). The last thing they lose...

I agree with the last bit. Talking with some retired pro's in a similar position would help.

yeah but he's only KO'd 1 in his last 10 opponents.

[stevieb_8006]

I wonder if the Khans come sniffing?

dread to think what khan would have done to him tonight.

[Neri]

He would have been better off starting his comeback against a prelim fighter rather than a recent champion.

But then the danger is he ends up with a false sense of confidence. Imagine he knocks out some journeyman, looks great then jumped in with Kell Brook. The conclusion of that doesn't bear thinking about.

Credit to Hatton for coming back at this level but thank god he wasn't facing a fighter who can really whack.

[dalcumly]

None of us really knew what would happen. He was winning the fight reasonably clearly until the stoppage but he was missing wildly, couldn't avoid punches he saw coming, and his head and upper body movement was non existent. I also noticed that his upper body shape was different he seemed thinner around the shoulders and chest.
He just didn't have it tonight. If he wanted to carry on his only chance is to fight regularly on under cards against second level opposition until he feels the timing coming back - if it's there?
For me this result was an utter disaster, made easier for him by a cheque for around £1000000. It might be easy to say but he has to be a bit more stronger mentally and walk away with his head held high!

[Finn]

He would have been better off starting his comeback against a prelim fighter rather than a recent champion.

But then the danger is he ends up with a false sense of confidence. Imagine he knocks out some journeyman, looks great then jumped in with Kell Brook. The conclusion of that doesn't bear thinking about.

Credit to Hatton for coming back at this level but thank god he wasn't facing a fighter who can really whack.

The plan should have been decent fighter, senchenko, paulie - permanent retirement. Big respect to him for taking on senchenko straight away but he should have had a plan B in his head for a worst case senario. I also dont think this was a worst case senario; he showed that in his prime he would have blitzed senchenko and he didnt get banged out in a round or two.

[Neri]

I think if Hatton had fought someone decent like witter first he would have worked off the ring rust and probably beaten Senchenko he would then maybe have had a shout at being competitive against Paulie.

He could certainly come back and get a win but it all depends on what he is aiming for. I wouldnt want to see him in against a puncher or anyone who could make him look sloppy. i worry about him a bit after that interview, he could do with speaking to someone else who have ended their careers in the same manner.

Hatton far was easy to hit tonight and the last thing he needed to be facing is a puncher (Witter). The last thing they lose...

I agree with the last bit. Talking with some retired pro's in a similar position would help.

yeah but he's only KO'd 1 in his last 10 opponents.

That doesn't mean he can't still punch. Within those 10 are Devon Alexander, Timothy Bradley, Frankie Gavin and Colin Lynes. World class, nearly world class or tough as hell. Then the rest are scheduled over short or super short Prizefighter distances so that stat is very misleading. I'm of the opinion that Witter still punches hard enough to cause a faded Ricky Hatton lots of danger. I say thank god Hatton wasn't in there with someone with a bit of pop.

[stevieb_8006]

He would have been better off starting his comeback against a prelim fighter rather than a recent champion.

But then the danger is he ends up with a false sense of confidence. Imagine he knocks out some journeyman, looks great then jumped in with Kell Brook. The conclusion of that doesn't bear thinking about.

Credit to Hatton for coming back at this level but thank god he wasn't facing a fighter who can really whack.

The plan should have been decent fighter, senchenko, paulie - permanent retirement. Big respect to him for taking on senchenko straight away but he should have had a plan B in his head for a worst case senario. I also dont think this was a worst case senario; he showed that in his prime he would have blitzed senchenko and he didnt get banged out in a round or two.

see i beg to differ he would have "blitzed" senshenko. hatton always made it hard work at world level. both he and his fans are delusional about how good he actually was. dont mean to kick a man when hes down but i think every1 is doing the other kid a disservice. hatton could never fight at welter and this kid was quite awkward.

[Finn]

None of us really knew what would happen. He was winning the fight reasonably clearly until the stoppage but he was missing wildly, couldn't avoid punches he saw coming, and his head and upper body movement was non existent. I also noticed that his upper body shape was different he seemed thinner around the shoulders and chest.
He just didn't have it tonight. If he wanted to carry on his only chance is to fight regularly on under cards against second level opposition until he feels the timing coming back - if it's there?
For me this result was an utter disaster, made easier for him by a cheque for around £1000000. It might be easy to say but he has to be a bit more stronger mentally and walk away with his head held high!

Think the issue is when people have had such big highs the lows are more extreme. Im happy with my life and lots of people would love to be in the same situation as me but if someone like George Clooney had all his money taken away and had to move into my house, do my job for a living he would probably top himself within a week.

[misterpunch]

this really was the best outcome. hes not badly hurt and must now rebuild his life without the HITMAN. i wish him well but they might have to check him into the hospital to remove the ego

[Finn]

see i beg to differ he would have "blitzed" senshenko. hatton always made it hard work at world level. both he and his fans are delusional about how good he actually was. dont mean to kick a man when hes down but i think every1 is doing the other kid a disservice. hatton could never fight at welter and this kid was quite awkward.

I dont think people are delusional i think some people think 4 world titles just fall into a fighters lap. He blitzed paulie did he not? He was what he was; a great personality and great champion, was he in the same league as pac and mayweather? No, could he have beaten guys like khan, peterson, alexander, ortiz, garcia, maidana etc etc in his prime - i would expect so.

[misterpunch]

i should have posted this thread in the BOXERS OF THE PAST section

[greenyox3]

He's just confirmed his retirement at the post-fight press conference.

[stevieb_8006]

no1s mentioned it yet, but it was an utter peach of a body shot

[Neri]

He's just confirmed his retirement at the post-fight press conference.

[Terrrrry]

He's just confirmed his retirement at the post-fight press conference.

Good news.

[dookus]

He's just confirmed his retirement at the post-fight press conference.

Good news.

x 2

[Cas]

He's just confirmed his retirement at the post-fight press conference.

I'm glad Hatton is calling it a day now. He gave it a go, and came to realize that he doesn't have the X factor anymore.

The right decision, but a sad one.

I hope he moves on with his life and gives advice to the young developing boxers, teach them a few things.

Long live Hatton. He's a legend.

[Horse]

If he fights on then he should fight a low level journeyman on the undercard of a Quigg fight or something like that.

[TheCobra]

I really hope that he can live a normal life now. I worry about Hatton, I suppose we all do, there were hints of the demons that remain within him in his post-fight interview, when he said to himself 'I'm not a failure' and was tearful.

If he keeps beating himself up like that and trying to recreate the past then he could have problems for a long time, he kind of reminds me in a way of the story in 'The Wrestler' with Mickey Rourke.

I would hate to see Ricky become some kind of Gazza of boxing or something, much better if he stays off the booze and all substances for good, live a clean and healthy life with his nice girlfriend and family.

I do just fear that there is still some level of delusion about Hatton and that he will still struggle to live a life without the adrenaline rush and the adulation that he got so addicted to.

[stevieb_8006]

I really hope that he can live a normal life now. I worry about Hatton, I suppose we all do, there were hints of the demons that remain within him in his post-fight interview, when he said to himself 'I'm not a failure' and was tearful.

If he keeps beating himself up like that and trying to recreate the past then he could have problems for a long time, he kind of reminds me in a way of the story in 'The Wrestler' with Mickey Rourke.

I would hate to see Ricky become some kind of Gazza of boxing or something, much better if he stays off the booze and all substances for good, live a clean and healthy life with his nice girlfriend and family.

I do just fear that there is still some level of delusion about Hatton and that he will still struggle to live a life without the adrenaline rush and the adulation that he got so addicted to.

i must admit in that interview i thought we may have an english RJJ on our hands.

[Cas]

If he fights on then he should fight a low level journeyman on the undercard of a Quigg fight or something like that.

There is no point. Coming back again and winning against a journeymen proves nothing for Hatton, and wouldn't achieve anything for him either.

Hatton has nothing to prove. He doesn't need to fight bums. This is a man that shared the ring with Mayweather & Pacquiao. That would be all time low for Hatton.

Best to retire now with his marbles intact.

[Horse]

There is no point. Coming back again and winning against a journeymen proves nothing for Hatton, and wouldn't achieve anything for him either.

Hatton has nothing to prove. He doesn't need to fight bums. This is a man that shared the ring with Mayweather & Pacquiao. That would be all time low for Hatton.

Best to retire now with his marbles intact.

Why would beating journeymen be an all time low?

It might be better for him mentally than quitting straight away.

[ra2006]

I think some guys on this board would show some f**king respect and realise what Ricky has brought to boxing in the last 12 years. He has brought new fans, increased exposure of boxing, has given us great fights, and is now bringing up and nurturing the next generation.

I absoultely feel for the guy, he tried but it did'nt come off. Maybe he should have taken a lesser opponent on his comeback and beaten him convincingly, maybe not as he would have been found out at a later date. It does'nt matter, it all done now. Ricky has a great promotions company, a great stable of young and hungry boxers, and a great young family. He has made the call, he will stick to it. I wish him the best of luck in the future, he is still in legendary status in my eyes, this fight made no difference.

[Boxingcutsman]

no1s mentioned it yet, but it was an utter peach of a body shot

exactly, everything aside, faded, not faded, puncher, non puncher, that body shot without doubt was a finisher and most elite level or any fighters for that matter would not of got up from that either, it was perfectly placed and sunk in with meaning, and if you've genuinely ever been on the receiving end of a proper body shot then you will know there's fuk all you can do about them, granted life style & constant career drastic weight ballooning wouldn't of helped the situation along with the inactivity/timing/ring rust they also would of played a part in him not seeing that shot coming. Saying all that it was a peach of a shot