Ricky Hatton

[Frostieballs]

Id say he was world class at his peak, but not elite.

That said, it’s actually quite hard to tell where he really sits.

His early record was very padded, there were endless complaints at the time around the matchmaking and the WBU title. Lots of lower weight ‘names’ who were past their best. Also domestic level fighters as ‘World Title’ opponents.

Obviously a massive win against KT, more decent names in Collazo and Castillo.. but again timing could have played a factor.

Then in the step ups against elite names, destroyed. Like, not even close.

So I’d say (fringe?) world class is fair in boxing terms. He was elite, however, in selling a ticket and generating an atmosphere.

[Counter-puncher]

One of the best of British for sure. He just had the misfortune of being around when two ATG were at his weight too.

There aren't many (if any) British greats who fought 2 prime ATG is there.

And Hatton only fought one prime ATG

One prime?

Good god I forgot Pacquiao entirely

[TheLeprechaun]

He certainly had bad luck being around at the same time as Mayweather and Pac.

[stujones]

The whole "Tszyu was over the hill" narrative is BS for me. Tszyu was coming off a sharp KO performance over Sharmba Mitchell and didn't look like he lost a step. Tszyu did not like pressure fighters and needed space and time to operate. He got run over by Vince Phillips earlier in his career and probably always would have lost to that type of fighter. He was always a dangerous sharpshooter but Hatton had the style to beat him. I will say that the absolutely disgusting intentional low blow by Hatton in the fight does sour the result for me but I don't buy that Tszyu was "washed up" or "over the hill".

He was averaging 1 fight a year for the last four years and was getting towards 37 years old. Also was his fighting heart / desire going - as it was still close (I think) on the cards at the time of the stoppage - at least on the Sky card.

The parrels are there with Pedroza at 36 and with his run with injuries, Tszyu was at an age when he could just "go".

[hitman_hatton1]

He certainly had bad luck being around at the same time as Mayweather and Pac.

could've been worse.

the fighter i always feel sorry for was oba carr.

3 world title fights and he had to fight(trinidad/quartey/de la hoya).

and i bet he wasn't paid all that much (particularly tito & quartey fights).

[Spud]

Ricky once ripped into me because I lost his mate $6,000 at the Paris Casino Vegas.

Basically Ricky’s mate said “Spud do me a favour, go up to that table, and put $1,000 on black, if it loses put $3,000 on black again” the first spin went against me so I put the $3,000 down. I forgot the winning number all I know was it was a black number I went nuts …,then I looked down and realised inexplicably put the $3000 on red”

I was devastated but the mate didn’t give a toss because he won with limited help from me later on.

That wasn’t the end of it. We were about to be called forward to take Ricky to the ring Wayne Rooney was with us and he looked nervous, so I took the p*ss only for Ricky to say .”stfu spud how can you take he p*ss when you don’t know the difference. Between red and black.

We had some fantastic banter ..

I was gutted for Dennis Hobson because ODH signed Ricky soon after the Castillo fight.

[SeanBrennan]

Ricky once ripped into me because I lost his mate $6,000 at the Paris Casino Vegas.

Basically Ricky’s mate said “Spud do me a favour, go up to that table, and put $1,000 on black, if it loses put $3,000 on black again” the first spin went against me so I put the $3,000 down. I forgot the winning number all I know was it was a black number I went nuts …,then I looked down and realised inexplicably put the $3000 on red”

I was devastated but the mate didn’t give a toss because he won with limited help from me later on.

That wasn’t the end of it. We were about to be called forward to take Ricky to the ring Wayne Rooney was with us and he looked nervous, so I took the p*ss only for Ricky to say .”stfu spud how can you take he p*ss when you don’t know the difference. Between red and black.

We had some fantastic banter ..

I was gutted for Dennis Hobson because ODH signed Ricky soon after the Castillo fight.

great story. What was Hobson like? The people I know speak highly of him. Again me being a nosey bugger ignore me if too nosey mate

[rob h]

Similar story - and outcome when I "surprised" my ex with 2 seats at the MEN for Calzaghe vs Lacey. Dropped a bollock when we got our drinks and sat down around 8pm as I realised the place was still half empty as I didn't account for it being shown in the US... At 02:30 hrs. Still remember watching Chad Dawson and telling her what a prospect he was. Didn't win me any favours.

[Spud]

Similar story - and outcome when I "surprised" my ex with 2 seats at the MEN for Calzaghe vs Lacey. Dropped a bollock when we got our drinks and sat down around 8pm as I realised the place was still half empty as I didn't account for it being shown in the US... At 02:30 hrs. Still remember watching Chad Dawson and telling her what a prospect he was. Didn't win me any favours.

Great tale .. I remember meeting Chad at the Top Rank Gym in Vegas. Nice bloke who didn’t fulfil his promise

[SeanBrennan]

The whole "Tszyu was over the hill" narrative is BS for me. Tszyu was coming off a sharp KO performance over Sharmba Mitchell and didn't look like he lost a step. Tszyu did not like pressure fighters and needed space and time to operate. He got run over by Vince Phillips earlier in his career and probably always would have lost to that type of fighter. He was always a dangerous sharpshooter but Hatton had the style to beat him. I will say that the absolutely disgusting intentional low blow by Hatton in the fight does sour the result for me but I don't buy that Tszyu was "washed up" or "over the hill".

bit of a bugger as we'll never know as he retired after. he was a world champ though and you make a good point.