Who will Ricky Hatton's next opponent be?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 18 Dec 2003, 14:45

He's right up there now, and surely can't go back to fighting the Aldo Rios types of this world. I just wonder if Warren, for all his Tszyu and Gatti talk, is going to opt for the WBO route...and Zab Judah.
It wouldn't surprise me.

nasty · Post by **nasty** » 18 Dec 2003, 15:05

LETS NOT GET OVER-CONFIDENT ABOUT HATTON JUST YET!

There are 6 boxers that would all beat Hatton at the moment so he's still got alot of work to do before he can claim to be amongst the World's Best!

Untill he beats a genuine World class boxer in form, I won't fully be convinced!

Heres the 6 that we beat him!

1) Kosta zoo
2) Shamba Mitchell
3) Zab Judah
4) Migual Cotto
5) Arturo Gatti
6) Otkey Urkal

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stujones · Post by **stujones** » 18 Dec 2003, 15:28

bennie wrote:He's right up there now, and surely can't go back to fighting the Aldo Rios types of this world. I just wonder if Warren, for all his Tszyu and Gatti talk, is going to opt for the WBO route...and Zab Judah.
It wouldn't surprise me.

I think Hatton will have a similar type of opponent to Tackie next up (in that fringe top ten bracket) somone like Omar Weiss, Camacho jnr or Jesse Leija next. To be honest Hatton faces Judah for the WBO title then I wouldn't mind. Its the fighter that makes the belt, and while Judah is not up there with Tszyu (obviously) he's still a credible champion and I think a tougher fight (and a better opperator) than Vivien Harris for the WBA belt.

I would be angered if Judah vacates (which he still might) and Hatton get involved in the vacant title mix.

I see Hatton having a major big fight in the summer of 2004 in the new Man City stadium (and I'm not talking about Witter). I can see him fighting for one of the big four titles, I only hope there is a decent champion in the opposite corner, and the four current holders (Tszyu, Gatti/Branco, Harris and Judah) are all decent So I'll be happy regardless of what belt he holds - Unfication fights will come.

I also agree with Nasty, lets not go overboard about this win though. He was brilliant and Tackie is an excellent fighter, but there are alot better than old "wonder". The champions are a big step up again. The 6 he mentioned would probably still start as favourite although I think he can beat Mitchell and Urkal.

Hitman Hatton · Post by **Hitman Hatton** » 19 Dec 2003, 04:53

Cumon give Rick a chance. Before the fight with Tackie everybody was saying this is the test if he beats Tackie he is up there with the likes of Gatti, Judah, Mitchel, and possibly Tszyu.

Now that Rick has confortably beat Tackie everybody is now changing there story and now saying; Hatton still has another level to go.
The thing is that everybody was saying if he beats Tackie then he would already be there. I cant understand why people constantly change their story when Hatton succeedes and try to say that Hatton is not world class.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 19 Dec 2003, 05:35

Hatton proved against Tackie that he is 'up there' with the elite of the division, not necessarily that he would beat them but that he is in the same 'division' if you like, that division being the Premiership. Ricky got promoted on Saturday.

I suspect however that his next opponent WILL be an Aldo Rios type, Warren knows he's kept the critics away with this performance and has bought himself another 6 months at least, plus he still has the old late withdrawal chestnut credit to use, I reckon we see a pushover in April and a decent card that will still do well at the MEN because it will probably have Gomez on, plus maybe Farnell-Murphy.

Then maybe go for the outdoor 'big' fight in the summer if he get a major title holder over here, I can't see it being Tszyu or Mitchell though, not over here so maybe Harris (who was willing to travel to Germany, I'm sure he would earn more fighting Hatton at the City of Manchester Stadium than Urkal in Berlin) or Judah who's been over to the UK before. Mind you maybe that's exactly the reason Judah wouldn't come here, who knows....

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 19 Dec 2003, 06:20

His next opponent will be a lightweight.

They will definitly bring a decent name/record up to sustain some sort of momentum but it will just be another pocket lining defense IMO.

Jedi Knight · Post by **Jedi Knight** » 19 Dec 2003, 07:13

I would like to see Ricky fight Mitchell or Gatti but realistically he'll probably have 2 tune ups before these guys.
Maybe Leija, Weiss or even Harris. Don't forget that without injures Ricky likes to fight at least four times a year so he could fit these fights in and still fight for a world title by December '04.

That's the plan anyway....

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 19 Dec 2003, 08:44

hey nasty didn't that list used to be ten not six?

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 19 Dec 2003, 09:42

Nasty, out of all your list i would agree that at the moment Hatton should avoid Tszyu, Mitchell and definately Judah but i think he would be 50/50 with Gatti, everyone bases Gatti's career on those battles with Micky Ward but also forget he is not invincible by a long stretch. Hatton beats Urkal in a neutral venue and i don't think Cotto is quite polished enough yet to face someone like Hatton, i doubt he would really know how to deal with his style.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Dec 2003, 10:49

I think Hatton should avoid slickness at all costs.

As for Cotto, don't doubt what this boy can do. I think he beats Hatton. He hits harder than ANYONE Hatton has faced including Tackie.

Dutch Windmill · Post by **Dutch Windmill** » 19 Dec 2003, 11:06

Cotto is surely "polished" enough. I don't know if you mean in terms of skills, but if you mean that, I disagree.
Of course Hatton was not a silver medalist but Cotto is A LOT further in terms of opposition than Hatton when he was 18-0.
Also I feel that Cotto has the superior power, he's also way more versatile. I would say Hatton is not ready for Cotto yet, instead the other way around.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Dec 2003, 11:11

Bingo.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 19 Dec 2003, 11:29

Based on punch power Goz would err towards Cotto as well.

Regardless of your opinion however, it would be a superb matchup, maybe it could happen in a year or two with both holding a title.

The_Power · Post by **The_Power** » 19 Dec 2003, 13:37

Hatton is a good boxer, and will be one of the leading forces in the division.

Cotto is completely different, that man will rule the division for years to come, Hatton should keep away from this man for as long as he possibly can.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 19 Dec 2003, 15:40

Goz wrote:Hatton proved against Tackie that he is 'up there' with the elite of the division, not necessarily that he would beat them but that he is in the same 'division' if you like, that division being the Premiership. Ricky got promoted on Saturday

Yes, good points. Let me reiterate to Hitman Hatton, if you check the archieves when Bennie was giving out names for possible opponents for came up. Urkal, Tackie, Branco and Weiss.

Now, I maintained and continue to do so that Tackie was the easiest fight out of the 4. Now, I'm not having a go, all of them are in that bottom of the premiership, top of devision 1 bracket - but I think stylewise the other three are tricky spoilers, whereas Tackie was a slowish slugger.

I'm not criticising the match and you've got to rank Hatton above some of the devisions true elite (ahead of Cotto - who is in the true elite category but hasn't beaten anyone of Tackie's standing).

I think Hatton can undoubtedly beat a few guys in this true elite. I'd be confident about him stepping in with both Mitchell and Urkal now. However, even though I rank Hatton above Cotto (I rank Urkal above Cotto) I'd still pick Cotto.

Hope you understand Hitman, didn't mean to criticise Tackie to much.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 21 Dec 2003, 10:01

I would expect someone like Omar Weiss next, i don't doubt Cotto's ability but we shall wait and see on him as far as i am concerned when he gets promoted to the premier league (apologies Stu!). I cannot see him fighting Hatton for a few years anyway, if at all.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 21 Dec 2003, 11:21

Hatton will fight Leonard Dorin next

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 21 Dec 2003, 20:00

REAL_DEAL wrote:Hatton will fight Leonard Dorin next

Are you sure Real_Deal? Sounds a little dangerous, at least it will be a tear-up though :P

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 21 Dec 2003, 20:46

To be honest, I don't care who Hatton fights next - its the summer and winter matches that concern my, they usually sign his big match. Warren loves his big summer match ups, I believe had Hatton not been cut by Phillips, Tackie would have been in the Summer and not Rios.

So if its a Weiss, Urkal, Dorin, Camacho Jnr, Coreley, Leijla or anyone on the fringes (although Dorin sounds touch too tough at this stage) I'd be more than happy, providing his opponent after is a step up.

Cause a step up from that your talking Branco/Gatti winner, Tszyu, Mitchell, Cotto, Harris and Judah. I'd even accept Mitchell as a fight of huge significance even if he fails his taunting task of Tszyu in Russia!

That must be the first time since Rocky 4 that a world title fight is held in Russia.

A.Will · Post by **A.Will** » 22 Dec 2003, 13:23

stujones wrote:To be honest, I don't care who Hatton fights next - its the summer and winter matches that concern my, they usually sign his big match. Warren loves his big summer match ups, I believe had Hatton not been cut by Phillips, Tackie would have been in the Summer and not Rios.

So if its a Weiss, Urkal, Dorin, Camacho Jnr, Coreley, Leijla or anyone on the fringes (although Dorin sounds touch too tough at this stage) I'd be more than happy, providing his opponent after is a step up.

Cause a step up from that your talking Branco/Gatti winner, Tszyu, Mitchell, Cotto, Harris and Judah. I'd even accept Mitchell as a fight of huge significance even if he fails his taunting task of Tszyu in Russia!

That must be the first time since Rocky 4 that a world title fight is held in Russia.

What do you mean up ther with COTTO. What the hell has Cotto done to be rated above Ricky with Mitchell, Judah and Tszyu at this point in time!!!!!!!!

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 22 Dec 2003, 15:43

A.Will wrote:What do you mean up ther with COTTO. What the hell has Cotto done to be rated above Ricky with Mitchell, Judah and Tszyu at this point in time!!!!!!!!

so ya saying u haven't been convinced with cotto

can i just ask u why :x what the hell do u need to c its obvious this guy is the serious business who is already a genuine threat to the champion

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 22 Dec 2003, 16:44

Hatton's next opponent will be somebody along the lines of Postman Pat.

Cotto looks a formidable proposition for anyone at 140, even now. Look at his recent opponents, they've been matching him tough for awhile now.
Hatton is good enough to win a real world title, but they better keep him clear of Cotto I think.

A.Will · Post by **A.Will** » 22 Dec 2003, 19:05

hitman_hatton1 wrote:
A.Will wrote:What do you mean up ther with COTTO. What the hell has Cotto done to be rated above Ricky with Mitchell, Judah and Tszyu at this point in time!!!!!!!!
so ya saying u haven't been convinced with cotto can i just ask u why :x what the hell do u need to c its obvious this guy is the serious business who is already a genuine threat to the champion

He's done nothing to PROVE it though. Like right now, I think Judah would beat Tszyu, but of course I can't rate him above Tszyu because he has yet to prove that he can beat him, while Tszyu has proven he can beat Judah. Hatton has proven himself against tougher opponents than Cotto has faced (Phillips and Tackie). Yes I'm sure Cotto will beat these oppenents and ones of higher class but you cannot rate him with the Tszyu's, Mitchell's and Gatti's and even Hatton's of this world, WHAT HAS HE DONE TO PROVE IT.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 22 Dec 2003, 19:40

I agree with A.will here, Cotto has shown bags of POTENTIAL but as yet has not done a great deal to justify a higher rating. When he fulfills that potential he can stake a claim but as yet he needs to continue proving his worth. As yet he has not beaten anyone like Magee, Tackie or even Phillips and before everyone starts jumping down my throat!! I'm not saying he couldn't beat them or it's his fault he hasn't met them, the hard facts are he has not so he must do so and then his ratings should improve but not before.

bigynzing · Post by **bigynzing** » 25 Dec 2003, 13:00

I agree with all who are saying Cotto has yet to prove himself. His Hands so high n close leave the body wide open.

Who will Ricky Hatton's next opponent be?

Who will Ricky Hatton's next opponent be?

Re: Who will Ricky Hatton's next opponent be?