Who next for Hatton?

Dioufy · Post by **Dioufy** » 11 Dec 2007, 11:49

Hatton needs someone with a half-decent reputation who he beats quite easily just to get him back to winning ways before he takes on a big boy at light welterweight in my opinion.

Even someone like Marcos Rene Maidana, who's a big hitter but doesn't have a major coup on his victim-list. Or maybe Demetrius Hopkins like someone has already said - it might even get his stock in the US back on track a little if he beats Hopkins well.

For me also, he has four fights left, and that's including a gimme at the start - if I were him I would take...

1) Marcos Rene Maidana
2) Demetrius Hopkins or Gavin Rees
3) Junior Witter (who he beats easily in my opinion)
4) Paulie Malignaggi or Juan Diaz

And then maybe a big payday against a shot welterweight or light welterweight.

Dioufy · Post by **Dioufy** » 11 Dec 2007, 12:20

Hatton's dream of cracking America is basically gone. I can't see him fighting on HBO anymore, for me his only real attraction was his zero and that's now gone, and it went in pretty comprehensive style, he hasn't got the pull anymore. His best bet is to unify the light welterweight division again, and that means facing Junior Witter, who he would beat.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 11 Dec 2007, 19:18

I think he could well lose to witter for resons I have gone into else where, I think winning a belt would be good for him and in that respect a confidenve building fight against rees who he would beat. Then a HBO date against Malignani which is the real money fight in the states.

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 11 Dec 2007, 19:46

don't call it a comeback wrote:If Hatton went Torres, Witter, Malignaggi and then Diaz that would be an interesting series of matches.

Take out Witter and I think you've nailed Hatton's first choice line-up, in the right order too. Hopkins will probably be avoided because he's not a big name at the minute.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 12 Dec 2007, 06:17

Witter, Witter, Witter, Witter, Witter, Witter, Witter, Witter

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 06:29

Hatton has profile in America. Sounds like they're eyeing up Malignaggi. God, why didn't he fight Malignaggi BEFORE Mayweather - he would have been a bit better prepared at least.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 12 Dec 2007, 07:45

I did notice when I was placing my bets online at William Hill at the weekend that they have the odds for Hatton vs. ODLH!

Hatton is big in the States now and so is Torres and Malignaggi, why not do a LWW tournament Hatton squares off against Rees or Witter while Torres vs. Malignaggi, on the same night which creates media interest, people get into it and also gets exposure for Witter and/or Rees.

It would get my attention and maybe the TV networks would go for it??

Sammy Mendelson · Post by **Sammy Mendelson** » 12 Dec 2007, 07:46

I don't think Hatton would want to give Witter the opportunity of a real pay-day. In my opinion, the fans have always been denied the fight because of Hatton's disdain for Witter. It's a shame because it would be a belting clash of styles.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Dec 2007, 08:57

Dioufy wrote:Hatton's dream of cracking America is basically gone. I can't see him fighting on HBO anymore, for me his only real attraction was his zero and that's now gone, and it went in pretty comprehensive style, he hasn't got the pull anymore. His best bet is to unify the light welterweight division again, and that means facing Junior Witter, who he would beat.

I think Hatton will do just fine on HBO. Losing to Mayweather is hardly a damning indictment is it?

The Americans have warmed to ricky, and he's a saleable personality.

If Hatton really does plan on retiring in a couple of fights, there's little point in taking any warm ups. He may as well go for it against Oscar, after unifying the belts against Witter or Rees. Presuming he wins either of those of course.

I think Oscar may well beat him though. Hatton struggles when he cannot physically dominate, and Oscar has fought at 154. Despite the fact that Ricky is probably physically stronger, and certainly fresher, I can see him walking into quite a lot of shots.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 12 Dec 2007, 08:59

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think Hatton will do just fine on HBO. Losing to Mayweather is hardly a damning indictment is it?

The Americans have warmed to ricky, and he's a saleable personality.

exactly.

HBO won't be dropping a guy that can flog all those tickets and ppv's.

unless there mad anyway.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:21

give Ricky a moderately slow opponent - like Torres - and he can still look very good. He can still polish off past their prime opponents. Now that he's become such a draw - with apparently lofty PPV figures both sides of the pond and a travelling army of fans - he should milk his career.

stay away from silly crazy fights like Mayweather and de la Hoya. fight top 10 light welters and use some bloody handicapping intelligence - how about a lightweight moving up like Juan Diaz for instance. If he's the draw, he has the right to have an advantage, etc...

There is 1 welterweight that I pick Hatton over and that's the IBF champ Cintron. Big puncher but was having panic attacks vs that guy last time out who wasn't very good.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:22

Witter only gets a chance if Ricky goes down badly in everyone's estimation, but it looks like RH will be more popular in defeat.

yiddo14 · Post by **yiddo14** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:40

Malignaggi in NY, then out I reckon.
Although if Diaz fancies moving up, Hatton would be silly not to take the fight against him, if offered of course.

Witter/Hatton would be nice(Hatton wins.Witter causes him problems but his lack of stamina will be his undoing as Hatton takes a unanimous points decision)but I really can't ever see it happening.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 12 Dec 2007, 12:28

Hatton has said he will take a few months off if after that he has to go down to LWW then he could potentialy be out for 7-8 months, in that time if I were Hennassy I would be doing what I could to get Witter some form of a unification fight, that would make him the obviouse opponent when Hatton comes back which would be good for his chances of a pay day. However I feel that the other champs may be protected unitl a hatton pay day too.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 12 Dec 2007, 14:53

Did anyone see Enzo Calzaghe in the press today saying that Hatton would have to earn a shot at Gavin Rees!

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 12 Dec 2007, 15:25

Whyat a joke Hatton is 5 times the fighter Ree's will ever be, I am still amazed Ree's won a world title.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 12 Dec 2007, 15:29

Hardhitters11 wrote:Whyat a joke Hatton is 5 times the fighter Ree's will ever be, I am still amazed Ree's won a world title.

That also still amaises me but surly hatton would have no problem getting ranked world no. 1

jockpunk · Post by **jockpunk** » 12 Dec 2007, 15:41

Maliggnagi is fighting on showtime now, and i would bet thats where his next few fights will be. I think showtime would be much more likely to give hatton another shot than hbo.

mattyp151 · Post by **mattyp151** » 12 Dec 2007, 15:47

jockpunk wrote:Maliggnagi is fighting on showtime now, and i would bet thats where his next few fights will be. I think showtime would be much more likely to give hatton another shot than hbo.

HBO is said to already be talking to Hatton about his next fight. HBO did well with Hatton, he's going nowhere.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 12 Dec 2007, 15:50

I think he will stick with HBO cos they pay BIG money. I think Hatton will avoid Witter at all costs and chase down Paulie (HBO will work something out) and Rees. I guess he'd go for Rees first cos thats the easy fight.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 15:57

already they're talking PACQUIAO, from Pac's side.

Juan Diaz will be a natural, especially if GBP get their hooks into him. They won purse bids to stage his next fight and JD is out of contract with Don King I believe.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 12 Dec 2007, 16:07

josh fg wrote:Did anyone see Enzo Calzaghe in the press today saying that Hatton would have to earn a shot at Gavin Rees!

Translation: 'give us a good payday because we have the easiest belt and its the WBA title, come on Ricky please please give us a good payday, go on mate, 500k for the WBA belt you know you want to, go on'

dandantheweatherman · Post by **dandantheweatherman** » 12 Dec 2007, 16:07

I'd have thought Hatton's walk-forward, aggressive style and the fact he brings a noisy crowd with him means the American networks will still be interested. Plus he's been built up so is still a recognisable name, and stepping up a weight and being beaten by the p4p best is no disgrace whatsoever. It's great that he took a risk and had a crack at the best there is.

2-3 years ago I thought Witter would beat Hatton...I'd still lean towards Witter but the PBF fight may cause Hatton to re-think his tactics, and Witter is getting older anyway - the reflexes he relies on will slow down sometime.

I'd like to see Hatton go in against a title-holder, but it's debatable how much winning a belt at 140lb would bring to the table for Hatton for the fights after. I would like to see Hatton be a little more active though.

harrygreb · Post by **harrygreb** » 12 Dec 2007, 16:51

hmm, i think three fights max for ricky now. he likes a long break and time to work the lagers off, then.... 1. lynes 2. rees 3. malignani (at the garden) ...retirement.

Punchy Joe · Post by **Punchy Joe** » 12 Dec 2007, 18:18

Rees at the MEN, promoted by you know who. its an easy comeback, confidence boosting fight for Ricky. Then either Witter or Malignaggi proberbly Malignaggi. then perhaps Diaz or even Pac.........