Hatton - Mayweather in hindsight

[Counter-puncher]

I think it bears repeating that, when we have seen at least a dozen fighters semi-sleepwalk their way through the last 4-6 rounds, unable to decode the Floyd puzzle and unwilling to get smacked down trying to force their way through it to win:

At least Hatton was prepared to go balls to the wall. Fair fvcking play. All those hyperbolic estimations of Mannys unquenchable fighting spirit really need to be reassessed in the context of someone who really was prepared to go out on his shield.

Thoughts?

[Counter-puncher]

I mean shit, ginger Saul all 20lbs more of him than there was of Hatton, still didn't remotely come close to giving forth the sane level of effort.

[Tomasino]

I agree, Floyd has a lot of respect for Ricky Hatton as a fighter. Manny looked terrible last night like so many other Mayweather challengers.

[Stuarty]

I think it bears repeating that, when we have seen at least a dozen fighters semi-sleepwalk their way through the last 4-6 rounds, unable to decode the Floyd puzzle and unwilling to get smacked down trying to force their way through it to win:

At least Hatton was prepared to go balls to the wall. Fair fvcking play. All those hyperbolic estimations of Mannys unquenchable fighting spirit really need to be reassessed in the context of someone who really was prepared to go out on his shield.

Thoughts?

Yeah agree. I think PAC went into his shell a bit after he felt Floyds power. He definitely underestimated him there.

[Counter-puncher]

I think its even more telling that DLH and Alvarez, both probably a natural stone heavier than floyd/hatton, hadn't got the balls to fight the way Hatton did. Get to the end and claim a moral victory was the full extent of their ambition.

[jessi]

And hatton made no excuses at the end ! That's why his so well loved

[Grilling Machine]

(Cough) Cortez (cough).

Hatton threw the sink at Mayweather, though, fair enough. Just as Tszyu was a bit past his best against a prime Hatton, ditto Hatton against Mayweather. DLH was spunking dust by the time he fought PBF.

[stujones]

Yeah, everytime Floyd delivers another masterclass.... I always think it does Ricky and DLH (remember DLH was in his mid 30's) some power in terms of their own legacy.

[Old Jack J]

Yeah Cortez was a real bummer that night.

To be fair, hatton wasnt really dominating inside anyway.

[dr_devious]

I cant remember Ricky landing anything in the Mayweather fight. At least Pac buzzed him a couple of times. Five or six years ago May Pac would have been a great match up but this was too little too late

[Grilling Machine]

It's a shame it didn't happen two years earlier (after Hatton beat Maussa) with a different ref.

Ricky only fought once in 2006, and just didn't remain active enough following the high of his Tszyu win.

[Coco]

Hattons best chance would have been at 10st, he was never strong enough at welter

[Old Jack J]

Hattons best chance would have been at 10st, he was never strong enough at welter

Yep. Another good point.

[CheckHook]

If only Hatton could've brought the same intensity, energy and desire to his career outside the ring he could've had a much longer and more successful career, but that's part of the sport and the part that let him down.... His effort inside the ropes has always been the thing I have admired about his career though, they are always my favourite fighters to watch. Both losing efforts against Mayweather and Pacquiao show a lot about Hattons will to win and desire, because even though he is outmatched he is trying to win every step of the way.

[Ned Stark]

I think it bears repeating that, when we have seen at least a dozen fighters semi-sleepwalk their way through the last 4-6 rounds, unable to decode the Floyd puzzle and unwilling to get smacked down trying to force their way through it to win:

At least Hatton was prepared to go balls to the wall. Fair fvcking play. All those hyperbolic estimations of Mannys unquenchable fighting spirit really need to be reassessed in the context of someone who really was prepared to go out on his shield.

Thoughts?

I agree. My main dissapopintment from Manny - FMJ was Manny not really going for it in the last 3-4 rounds. He must have known he was behind (despite what he said post fight) and given his previous fights I thought he would really give it a go. He had Floyd against the ropes early and was leathering his gloves and then just backed off. Looked like he gave up mid way through. Hatton gave it all and the fight was more entertaining for it. It's easy from the arm chair to citicise Manny but like you say, a big part of his repuation is his warrior spirit which he never showed.

I only envisiged two possible ways of a Manny win, one to fight like he did against Delahoya and get that first punch in fast repeatedly. That wasn't happening so then the only other potion was sh!t or bust and go aggressivley for the ko. Again easy for me to urge someone to go kamakazie but i think he will look back at the fight himself and think he could have done more to at least try and win

[jamesmcdonnell]

Manny did have some success when he let his hands go, a lot of it was blocked, but he landed some good body work, and then just stepped off again, letting Mayweather off the hook - it was a strange performance from Manny - he seemed content to just let the fight slip away, perhaps he lost heart - but he seemed to lose heart very early.

I think perhaps there's just not enough spite left in Manny any more, he's grown too rich and comfortable, and he just isn't very hungry any more - if anything, Mayweather has more hunger as he's protecting his reputation.

It was a terrific bore of a fight, a real disappointment. I really cannot see people going for a rematch after such a dull event, and I for one sure as hell wouldn't part with any money to see it

[stevieb_8006]

Hattons best chance would have been at 10st, he was never strong enough at welter

This.

He had a go tho, so fair play.

I think floyds punches hurt his foes cos they are coming forward and his timing is so good, it's like two cars colliding head on (if you get what I mean). This discourages them from coming forward, so instead they just follow him around like a lost, stunned puppy.

[orbtastic]

I always thought Margarito would have been a handful at 147, no matter how limited he could be. He wasn't scared of taking a punch or walking onto one to land a couple.

[Monte Fisto]

I think it bears repeating that, when we have seen at least a dozen fighters semi-sleepwalk their way through the last 4-6 rounds, unable to decode the Floyd puzzle and unwilling to get smacked down trying to force their way through it to win:

At least Hatton was prepared to go balls to the wall. Fair fvcking play. All those hyperbolic estimations of Mannys unquenchable fighting spirit really need to be reassessed in the context of someone who really was prepared to go out on his shield.

Thoughts?

I agree with the Hatton comment, he was fantastic and great value a true warrior. I actually think Roach may have got it wrong, manny was not sent in there to bull rush Floyd, not at all. Definitely shouldn't be questioning mannys fighting spirit. There aren't many fighters that have been sent in the ring against so many come fwd, top class aggressive fighters, and dealt with them how Manny has.

[Monte Fisto]

I always thought Margarito would have been a handful at 147, no matter how limited he could be. He wasn't scared of taking a punch or walking onto one to land a couple.

Definitely, that guy walks through sledgehammers, ok he's basic but my gosh is he a handful.

[Grilling Machine]

perhaps he lost heart - but he seemed to lose heart very early.

He landed one of his best shots - and the only clean power-punch I counted from him - early on, and Floyd shook it off no probs. Mayweather returned a hard counter and Pacquiao dipped slightly under its force. On both occasions, Manny was moving forwards and Mayweather retreating.

At that point, Pac knew that he couldn't hurt Floyd unless the latter helped him by walking onto a shot. That wasn't happening. At the same time - with a recent history of walking onto a KO, Pacquiao was visibly wary about forcing the issue. He tried in vain to cut the corners off, but was too slow of foot - too small of size - to compel Mayweather to stay put. Pacquiao needed to roll like a mini Frazier and let his hands go at those points, but he doesn't have the fitness to maintain that for 12, which is the main reason why this needed to happen years ago.

I think perhaps there's just not enough spite left in Manny any more, he's grown too rich and comfortable, and he just isn't very hungry any more - if anything, Mayweather has more hunger as he's protecting his reputation.

Silk pyjamas is a very good point. As cosy as Mayweather is, all his silk's invested in his undefeated record. His unpopularity improves his focus.

[Pugilist-specialist]

I think it bears repeating that, when we have seen at least a dozen fighters semi-sleepwalk their way through the last 4-6 rounds, unable to decode the Floyd puzzle and unwilling to get smacked down trying to force their way through it to win:

At least Hatton was prepared to go balls to the wall. Fair fvcking play. All those hyperbolic estimations of Mannys unquenchable fighting spirit really need to be reassessed in the context of someone who really was prepared to go out on his shield.

Thoughts?

In nearly 10 years over 13 fights, only Victor Ortiz and Hatton failed to hear the final bell.

[black panther]

Pacquiao would also have been stopped if he went for it like Hatton did. Good thread and respect to our Ricky!

Pacquiao copped a few clean right hands early on and after that was relunctant to charge in recklessly. Can't believe how few punches he threw; less than 500. That's really, really low for a 12 round fight.

[whiskey]

Joe "TMT" Cortez removed the small chance that Ricky had in that fight.

The Nevada state, Las Vegas and in particular the MGM hotel chain need their big fights, and having the local American guy win at all costs was abundantly clear from the first bell.

He absolutely stank and ruined the flow on purpose. He let Mayweather get away with murder, chucking in the forearms and elbows.

[expe]

Joe "TMT" Cortez removed the small chance that Ricky had in that fight.

The Nevada state, Las Vegas and in particular the MGM hotel chain need their big fights, and having the local American guy win at all costs was abundantly clear from the first bell.

He absolutely stank and ruined the flow on purpose. He let Mayweather get away with murder, chucking in the forearms and elbows.

I wouldn't even mind as much, but after stopping Hatton from fighting on the inside, he then let Hopkins hold all he wanted against Calzaghe. At least be fornicating consistent.