So Ricky Hatton wins again, I thought he looked good as usual, but maybe took a few too many shots in the middle rounds. But maybe by then he assumed that Rios was unable to hurt him.
Was it just me or did Hatton look a bit 'pissed off' all night? I would imagine he is as fustrated as the rest of us about the last 12 months of his career. I don't expect his December opponent will be any better that Rios who was a good fighter but a Lightweight and as we all know Ricky is a big strong Light-welterweight.
Money wise there is little reason to move Hatton along while the faithfull keep filling the MEN arena whomever the opponent. I think a Hatton Witter fight would be a great Christmas present to us fight fans and I am sure both fighters want the fight, but alas I don't think it will happen this year if ever.
His accuracy was certainly the poorest I've seen him and he was very repititive, against Phillips he was mixing it much better.
Also, maybe his punch power isn't quite as good as we first thought. For me, although Rios was generally considered a poor choice of opponent I still think he was about the 3rd best fighter Hatton has faced (behind Mitchell and Magee). But when he's been fighting Fringe world level fighters he's been extended. Okay, all three are renound for their durability, however, there is only one fight with a serious question mark about his chin is Zab Jadah, the rest are all renound for their durability.
Obviously he will be classed as a big puncher at world level for his weight devision, but unfortunately there some fantastically durable fighters above him in the rankings. Having said the negatives, there were some positives that we've all seen before, his work ethic still being his biggst asset.
I felt like I saw the key to Hatton's first defeat - he has a repetitive tendency to "bump" his opponent before every barrage of punches and I noticed that as he "bumps" or shoves them he drops his hands to begin punching.
I think a decent opponent is going to use the "bump" as the trigger to throw big rights and lefts.
StuJones:
If you look at Hatton's record (re: power at Light Welter) you'll see that he CANNOT be classified as a legit puncher - almost all his stoppages (above domestic class) have tended to be blown-up lightweights, super feathers etc.
I'll say one thing though - whenever you look at his opponents at the end of each round - they always look like they have fallen out of a tumble dryer.
Dave1armedTua wrote:Hatton proved he can beat the same guys I can. Of course, I'm 6'3 and 230lbs though, but I guess it's still an accomplishment for him.......sort of.
Dave1 did you ever spar a welter pro or something like that?
I believe I can say i'm a rather decent amateur boxer at 6'2 1/2 190lbs now, though not too long ago I sparred a 150lb Pro. I believe I hit him twice. I would say i'm not a complete pussy, yet i remember his body shots.
Anyway I would say you gotta be a pretty good heavy amateur to beat a guy like Vince Phillips.
Yes I have, and wasn't too impressed. This kind of gave me a cocky attitude, which ended up getting me a good ass kicking when I had the privlage of being a sparring partner for O'Neil Bell.
Ricky Hatton is a boxer of immense ability and courage. He was robbed in the World Amateurs and believe me to box at that level you are no mug. He started his pro career at the same rate, but sadly his performances of late have begun to deteriorate. This is down to allegedly. After the Eammon McGhee fight the "Hitman" should have moved onto the next level, but has since gone backwards. Beating up a steroid induced 40 year old and two lightweights is hardly a step in the right direction. These "easy" fights and make no mistake to a boxer of ricky's ability they should be, are of no use whatsoever- other than money wise. Important i agree to the pro boxer, but surely if he had by now taken care of Leija, Spadafora, Judah or even Tszyu (all of which Hatton would beat) he would have a much larger bank account. And Frank..so would you! Come on Frank use your bonce and let the Hitman loose on one of these vulnerable "champions".
Exactly Bennie, but why not push for ultimate glory and become a sterling multi-millionaire ? ! allegedly is just satisfied to take a guarranteed cut from Hatton, Witter, Calzaghe etc. Why kill the golden goose ?
adje wrote:allegedly is just satisfied to take a guarranteed cut from Hatton, Witter, Calzaghe etc. Why kill the golden goose ?
You've got it. I've given up on Hatton in recent months because he just isn't fighting anyone. Rios was a lightweight spoiler with absolutely no power and his opponent in December will probably be another massive disappointment. There's talk of Witter of course, but I'll believe it when I see it announced. Ironically, his toughest opponents to date have been Magee and Thaxton, both Brits of course. That says a lot for the calibre of foreign opposition he's been facing.
adje wrote:allegedly is just satisfied to take a guarranteed cut from Hatton, Witter, Calzaghe etc. Why kill the golden goose ?
You've got it. I've given up on Hatton in recent months because he just isn't fighting anyone. Rios was a lightweight spoiler with absolutely no power and his opponent in December will probably be another massive disappointment. There's talk of Witter of course, but I'll believe it when I see it announced. Ironically, his toughest opponents to date have been Magee and Thaxton, both Brits of course. That says a lot for the calibre of foreign opposition he's been facing.
I'd still say Phillips was a tougher assignment than Thaxton. He gave Shamba some problems (only a majority decision) and also beat a decent (if untested) fighter in his fight previous to Mitchell.
Certainly up there with Magee.
I've noticed Hatton has been fighting in a pattern of Solid fight, Easier fight, Solid fight - for the past two years or so now.
Its been Magee, Smith, Phillips, Rios recently.
So if the pattern continues we might be in for a pleasant surprise in December.
Diologue between the Hatton and Jesse James Leija camp has already begun, even before he took care of Rios on Saturday night - allegedly of course. Don't be too suprised to see Old Jesse have a change of heart come December and be standing in the opposite corner.
I mean he's in Team Hatton's age range - near 40 and shot! He'll do nicely.
I mean he's in Team Hatton's age range - near 40 and shot! He'll do nicely.
Maybe, but if Camp Hatton are thinking that then they are mistaken, he looked far from shot vs Tszyu. Moving well and boxing well at times.
Old Jesse James's biggest problem is that he is really a Lightweight still, Tszyu had too much power for him, Hatton will probably be the same. But Leija will pose LOTS of questions before being ultimately stopped around the 7th.
