BoxRec

Truth is, McGuigan, like Hatton was carefully guided to his title shot, and got his title shot at precisely the right time, the parallels are obvious. Tszyu looked more dangerous than Pedroza, and was, but lacked the same fire he had a couple of years previously.

Hatton was never, in my mind anyway, ever likely to manage that many title defences with that style, so every defence he racks up is a bonus. Some fighters burn brightly for a short time, and light the sport up, nothing wrong with that.

I posted this over a year ago after the Collazo fight and I disagreed with Barry at the time. Ricky didn't look good last time out either and faded late on. I guess his next fight against Castillo will tell if Barry was right to say this. It is a shame if he truly is on a slide

dont write him off yet. he has gone down - sensibly - and is maybe due a good win.

The question is for me, not about his weight, but whether his prior escapades with pastries and ale have had a permanent and deleterious effect on his body. For a fighter who has relied on speed and a tremendous workrate, any decline, even small in his stamina is going to affect him badly.

The Jury is out, but this fight will provide the answers. If he fades over the second half of this fight, then I think Ricky should consider retiring soon, because with his style, he will get badly hurt in there if he is in decline at top level.

The question is for me, not about his weight, but whether his prior escapades with pastries and ale have had a permanent and deleterious effect on his body. For a fighter who has relied on speed and a tremendous workrate, any decline, even small in his stamina is going to affect him badly.

The Jury is out, but this fight will provide the answers. If he fades over the second half of this fight, then I think Ricky should consider retiring soon, because with his style, he will get badly hurt in there if he is in decline at top level.

Well I think he is most definately in decline, he was supposed to be in great shape in his last bout but if anything looked worse than in the Collazo fight. The most worrying thing for Hatton is that his form seems to be dipping with every fight... with his style it means that he's ready for the taking really its just a matter of whether Castillo is too far gone himself to beat Hatton... I think its all down hill now for Ricky and he would be wise to pack it in soon imo...

a wise man waits for the outcome of ricky's next fight before telling him to pack it in

Well I think that if Ricky is able to get past Castillo his best bet is to go next for the biggest money fight he can get and then after that get out...

Depends if Hatton puts in a career best walloping of Castillo or labours to another hard fought decision. Or of course loses....

Is a bit of a crossroads fight in that respect, Castillo is moving up and aging, the opportunity is there for Ricky to really put on a good show and look impressive.

I have a feeling he actually might......

I agree that this is a fight that Ricky can win. I hope he wins it and then in a dream scenario he would fight Floyd and then whatever the outcome he should fight Witter on BBC or ITV (and give boxing in the UK a shot in the arm) and then retire.

It's wishful thinking, I know.

Mayweather thinks he's too big for everyone else now. Hatton should go for no more paper belts. Welter is the more lucrative class - Cotto, Margarito, Judah, Williams - this is where Hatton should seek his rivalries.

Good god.....Hatton moves upto 147 and doesn't shine in a fight he took on less notice than he normally does and against a guy we all underestimated and a shifty southpaw to boot but still wins the fight. He then wins nearly every round off an unbeaten puncher built like a brick sh*thouse and with absolutely nothing to lose...and yet some people talk as though he's finished. Give him a chance!!

Both Collazo and Urango were fights that would have been hard to get up for, and more than anything else with his style Ricky needs to firing on all cylinders MENTALLY even more so than physically. He needs to be right 'up' for his fights to get that intense drive that we've seen from Hatton at his very best. He needs the fear factor and the best fighters to whip him into that kind of frenzy.

Castillo fits the bill and this is one of the defining fights that Ricky has always wanted Castillo was one of the main names on his hitlist. In a few weeks time Castillo is going to get hit, hit hard, hit fast and hit all night long. Castillo is a formidable fighter and has plenty left to offer but the passion and drive we witnessed from Ricky against Tszyu will be evident once more against Castillo and that will carry him to an impressive victory in a real career definer.

I see some guy over on the current scene forum is putting $2000 on Castillo is all i can say. More money than sense some people. This is Rickys time to shine and he will. Tszyu, Castillo, these are the names that will earn Ricky a place in the hall of fame....and some people think he's going to blow it all now??? No chance, Hatton will be back to his best for this fight!! Oh ye of little faith......all the naysayers will be made to look like fools in a few weeks time.