Hatton unpopular amoungst real boxing fans?

[superpunchout]

I follow boxing very closely and have done for many years. Ricky Hatton isn't perfect by any means and probably a notch or two below the best in the sport. That does not alter the fact that he has been Britain's only true blue superstar since Lennox Lewis.
Naz might have a thing or two to say about that but let's be honest, for whatever reason, his bandwagon fell to peices when he reached the top level (Calzaghe is worth a mention too but really he only made a cameo as a household name which is very sad considering the extent of his ability).
Although Hatton's had his setbacks he's managed to keep the dream alive on the world stage and his natural charisma (which he probably over-markets a bit) has won him a legion of adoring fans, most of whom would have no other reason to devote their money and attention to this amazing sport.

Overall Hatton has done incredible things with his boxing career and he will leaving an aching void once he elects to hang em up.

[Coco]

I'm a fan, i'm also a fan of JC and Naz

[DaveyH]

At the end of the day, boxing is a dangerous sport and the time in the spotlight can be very fleeting. The way Hatton has marketed himself and promoted himself should be an example to every british upcoming fighter about how to build a fanbase.

The way Witter has done things should be given as the polar opposite example. His one trick has been spitting out spite and bile about another fighter, which only makes him sound a slightly nasty/unlikeable person, which I'm sure he isn't really, just that if all he ever does is call someone in his statements, people will think he's basically a bitch.

Obviously Hatton has marketed himself as a personality as well as a boxer and not every boxer can have his cheeky and likeable personality, but I would say things such as a good website, good press communications, doing public functions, helping charitys blah blah blah are all good things to do for an upcoming boxer to get themselves a name.

Well obviously boxing is dangerous and who knows what could happen in the next fight? My point was that Hatton has obviously realised his earning potential and as a result is not prepared to fight genuine contenders like Witter simply because it doesn't fit his business plan from the risk perspective. For example, I'm sure Hatton Vs Witter at City of Manc Stadium would sell just as well as Hatton vs Lazcano at the same venue, however there was a much greater risk of Witter winning the fight so Hatton went for the option with the least risk.
However, Hatton is prepared to take that risk against a guy like Pacquiao because of the sheer amount of money it will make.
So in a nutshell, Hatton will only take a risk if there's a massive safety net of money, which is an excellent business strategy but it is bound to effect his fighting legacy because it means he will have ducked genuine opponents in pursuit of the money. I'll stress again, can't blame him for that, but at the same time he can't complain if people question his desire to fight dangerous names, regardless of their ability to sell tickets

[DaveyH]

You've missed my point you nugget.
Mayweather would obviously fit into the category where the risk was worth it because of the money the fight would generate.

[DaveyH]

Oh I agree that Hatton is better, I've already said Hatton beats Witter. However I'd rather have seen him prove it in the ring than spinning out endless excuses for the fight not happening. My point is, and always has been, that Hatton should have fought Witter after the Mayweather fight, when Witter was WBC Champion.
Serious question sg1985, how can Hatton justify saying he wouldn't fight then WBC Champ Witter because he brings nothing to the table, then fight Lazcano?

[Tommy Gunn13]

i really dont understand what some 'real' fans think of hatton, i have enjoyed his career and am looking forward to his next fight. his fights are never boring, he is a likeable bloke, i really dont understand why 'real'boxing fans dont like him.

Spot on

[banjo]

Every sportsman has his/her detractors no matter how good or successful they may be and it isn't just boxing, take David Beckham for instance - was polite, did tons of work for charity, a good role model on the pitch who the younger/inexperienced players looked up to, but the guy was hated by countless amounts of people. Even Muhammad Ali is hated by some to this very day, it's just something which comes with being a top sports star.

The reason why Hatton has made so much money throughout his career is not just because of his achievements in the ring but because he puts the hard work in outside of boxing which is something that the likes of Witter, Froch and even Calzaghe don't seem to do. Hatton isn't just a boxer he's a salesman and when he appears on all these shows like Jonathan Ross, Soccer AM, Al Murray and even Loose Women he's selling his product to the public and people think "he seems like a really nice guy, I might watch out for next time he fights" I'm suprised he hasn't appeared on Top Gear yet and he's even had his own chat show for crying out loud.

I don't care for his lifestyle outside of the ring as long as he isn't hurting anybody because I'd probably be the same as him, I've seen people criticising some sports stars for their "womanising" but what the hell does that have to do with anyone but the people involved? It's part of the fun of being famous if you ask me.

[berealman]

I've never particularly liked hatton, mainly because he
plays the lad next door thing so much. Really it's a marketing
tool and I feel he insults our intelligence a little bit. On the other
hand, though, he's a proper fighter and always gives 100% which
other fighters talk about doing, but don't.

[Hagler2002]

i really dont understand what some 'real' fans think of hatton, i have enjoyed his career and am looking forward to his next fight. his fights are never boring, he is a likeable bloke, i really dont understand why 'real'boxing fans dont like him.

this was the point of the other thread which haglar did seem to understand[/b]

I did understand it thanks, you started a thread making a statement in the title that Hatton was unpopular amongst real boxing fans

[Hagler2002]

i know it should of been a question and not a statement but i forgot the question mark but the first post of the thread laid it out with plenty of question marks ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

i dont understand the point of this thread.

Well piss off back to your own thread and put a question mark in the title then

[liamlion]

I think the problem is that the Hatton's have appeared to come across as slightly disingenuous at times.

For example, that whole situation involving Billy Graham didnt really endear Ricky or his team to proper fight fans.

[Poncey]

Topics merged. They were pointless separated.

[Poncey]

Next time I'll charge. 8)

[stevieb_8006]

People give rick a hard time for the Urango fight but that wins gona look better and better, imaine if he eats berto? Hes still a young kid isnt he? U could argue hes already done more than witter.

[DaveyH]

Oh I agree that Hatton is better, I've already said Hatton beats Witter. However I'd rather have seen him prove it in the ring than spinning out endless excuses for the fight not happening. My point is, and always has been, that Hatton should have fought Witter after the Mayweather fight, when Witter was WBC Champion.
Serious question sg1985, how can Hatton justify saying he wouldn't fight then WBC Champ Witter because he brings nothing to the table, then fight Lazcano?

come on lazcano was a warm up fight. and wasn't bradley a mandatory for witter?

Exactly, Lazcano was just a warm up, but Hatton dodged a genuine all British showdown to put on a warm up knowing full well his hometown loyal fan base would turn out in force to see him. Great business move, I mean why fight a half decent opponent when you know you'll sell out the arena anyway? But it is bound to draw criticism from boxing fans who simply want to see the top guys fight their natural rivals, thats all I'm saying.

[Spud]

Ricky Hatton has done an amazing amount of good for boxing in this country whether people like it or not it is a simple fact.

However - its amazing how the fame of one boxer and the trappings that go with it, how it makes people tick - there are members close to Hatton in my view need to take a good look at themselves - it is a FACT there was "In House Tiffs" going on way way before the likes of Billy Graham departed - I could go on and on but whats the point - Team Hatton have earned a lot of money with all the deals that surround Ricky Hatton - a lot of of people will say good luck to them.

I do not like and never will how some people have been treated where Team Hatton are concerned - just my opinion and I am entitled to it.

I especially do not like everything that surrounded what I regards the "Ticket Fiasco" surrounding in particular the Floyd Mayweather fight - again its my opinion and take on events.

My thoughts are not borne out of jealousy or bitterness - I will go to "my box" regarding myself as one of the luckiest boxing fans alive to have been involved in 2 brilliant events in Vegas that involved Ricky and for that I will always be grateful.

[Finch]

I have been reading and posting on boxing forums for a good five years and have noticed how real boxing fans have turned against Ricky over the last few years. I personally feel no different to him now than i did before the KT fight but a large numbe seem to be on his case, so why is this? here are some ideas which you may or may not agree with:
1. he is to over exposed and we here the same old sound bites over and over again?
2. That he has been adopted by the casual sports fan who when talk boxing only know Hatton and the hype that sky have fed them?
3. he didnt fight Witter?
4. His poor lifestyle outside of the ring?
5.his excuses to losing to PBF or bad performences?
6. how he seems to talk about himself in the third person?
7. playing the lad card with all the football, oasis BS?

As i said before i dont have a problem with the guy but wish he would sort out his drinking and lifestyle between fights as its a bad advert for the sport. I do hate all the fools & horses stuff mind.

Add to that the man of the people bullshit but always makes his fans travel to NY or LV, even when holding the upper hand in terms of negotiating, eg. Paulie Mallignaggi.

[Poncey]

I do not like and never will how some people have been treated where Team Hatton are concerned - just my opinion and I am entitled to it.

x2

But I respect the Lad for what he's achieved.

[Finch]

My main (only) problem with the Hatton camp is the lies and the rip offs. I specifically say rip offs because thats exactly what it is when the thousands of tickets allocated to Team Hatton (ie responsibility of Ricky) v Mayweather supposedly for Hatton fans went straight to the ticket touts and organised tours (ie organised touts). That is exactly what a 'man of the people' would never do - skim extra profit above the face value of the tickets.

The lies: We were going to fight Paulie in New York but then we discovered Las Vegas will be cheaper for the British fans (Ray Hatton).
The most patronising crock of shit I've ever heard.

Ray Hatton's a twat.

Surely Manchester would have been a cheaper option ?

[m1kee50]

He practically adopted that disabled boy and must have given him a lot more fun in his life than he might have been able to otherwise expect.

That doesnt make him ready for a title on the back of beating Ted Bami

[n1ebf]

He practically adopted that disabled boy and must have given him a lot more fun in his life than he might have been able to otherwise expect.

That doesnt make him ready for a title on the back of beating Ted Bami

You;re mixed up I'm not talking about MH I'm talking about RH, don't knowif he still does but a few year ago he used to bring a young lad into the ring with him in front of 18 thousand at the MEN. I think he had some kind of learning difficulty and his mother had also passed away the poor blighter and Rick took him under his wing and made him his best mate and number 1 fan. And that was a great act of kindness, and probably mutual admiration by RH.

[n1ebf]

He practically adopted that disabled boy and must have given him a lot more fun in his life than he might have been able to otherwise expect.

That doesnt make him ready for a title on the back of beating Ted Bami

Are you telling a joke there by referring to MH as the disabled boy you dry sense of humoured tw*t

NEBF isn't the IBO welter champ's biggest fan but he wouldn't go that low.

[hitman_hatton1]

He practically adopted that disabled boy and must have given him a lot more fun in his life than he might have been able to otherwise expect.

That doesnt make him ready for a title on the back of beating Ted Bami

You;re mixed up I'm not talking about MH I'm talking about RH, don't knowif he still does but a few year ago he used to bring a young lad into the ring with him in front of 18 thousand at the MEN. I think he had some kind of learning difficulty and his mother had also passed away the poor blighter and Rick took him under his wing and made him his best mate and number 1 fan. And that was a great act of kindness, and probably mutual admiration by RH.

james bowers.

sadly he's not advised to travel abroad. :(

hence the reason he's not been at any of hatton's recent outings.

lazcano fight aside of course.

[hurlock]

i felt it was refreshing how he left warren to pursue big fights,which there's no big money if you dont Win!.
how many times did people here from fw he's priced himself out bla bla bla,hatton done all the chasing & wanted to test himself against the best,so big credit there.
as for witter..who cares he couldnt draw flies to a corpse,he couldnt give tickets away!!!

i'll agree hatton has become cringy going on tv giving the same interviews like its a gig!
my rice krispies going shhhsh...i know all his punch lines,i think its gone to his head abit on the comedy side.
& talking about himself as the 3rd person is irritating.

but all in all he is a gent he'll sighn & have photo's taken till the cows come home,he doe's well up from his support & is genuine.it must change you that kind of support.

[liamlion]

...as for witter..who cares he couldnt draw flies to a corpse,he couldnt give tickets away!!!

That is an absolutely irrelevant argument that doesnt hold any credibility and smacks of hypocricy and double standards.

Just out of interest how many fans did the likes of Carlos Vilches, Dennis Pedersen, Juan Lazcano, Ray Oliveira, Ben Tackie, Carlos Maussa, Michael Stewart (Etcetera, Etcetera...) bring with them when they fought Hatton in England?? I'll tell you, absolutely minimal amounts!!

All of the above-mentioned fights were pretty much sell-outs and I can assure you that a fight against Witter would have (and still would) sell out quicker than any of the above-mentioned for it would be a fight to decide the best fighter at the weight in Britain - which the British Public absolutely laps up, especially when the fighters are world class/world champions.