BoxRec

There seems to be a common opinion on the Hatton v Tszyu threads that this could be a step up too much for Ricky, that his level of opposition has been too low and his fights too one-sided to prepare for a P4P, long-term champion. Who could and should he have fought in recent years that might have prepared him better?

Pinto, Mitchell, Judah (when he was at 140), Corley, Cotto.

JUNIOR WITTER.

At one time or another all these fights were proposed yet never happened.

In particular Mitchell, he was up for fighting Hatton yet they put Hatton in with the guy Mitchell had just beaten instead - Stewart. What a joke!

And Vivian Harris, both the Harris and Sharmba Mitchell fights could have been made with the right money. Even a Jesse James Leija would have helped in the preparation.

Sorry I forgot the Harris fight, although we're led to believe it wasn't Hattons fault. All sounds a bit familiar to me.

nickd wrote:Sorry I forgot the Harris fight, although we're led to believe it wasn't Hattons fault. All sounds a bit familiar to me.

Let's hope we're not talking about why Povetkin can't get a big fight in around 2009.

Seemingly that wont be the case as Sky are forcing Allegedly's hand to make even matches. The days of the big Manchester fight card with all home favourites V TBA could well be a thing of the past.

Chopping Right wrote:And Vivian Harris, both the Harris and Sharmba Mitchell fights could have been made with the right money. Even a Jesse James Leija would have helped in the preparation.

i odnt think anyone is leading anyone when the trainer of one of the fighters retrospectivley admits he pulled the plug on the fight.

Going back to the Mitchell point, i feel Hatton was stupid not to take that fight, i think Hatton could have beat up on Mitchell, the reason i say this is that when Mitchell was on the undercard at the MEN against Stewart i dint think much of Mitchell and he was IMO hurt on at least 3 occasions by Stewart and then in his next fight Tszyu whips him, Hatton surely made a mistake not taking the fight.

J wrote:i odnt think anyone is leading anyone when the trainer of one of the fighters retrospectivley admits he pulled the plug on the fight.

True he did, but it's funny how a few hundred thousand dollars can lubricate even the rustiest of deals.

Foggy wrote:Going back to the Mitchell point, i feel Hatton was stupid not to take that fight, i think Hatton could have beat up on Mitchell, the reason i say this is that when Mitchell was on the undercard at the MEN against Stewart i dint think much of Mitchell and he was IMO hurt on at least 3 occasions by Stewart and then in his next fight Tszyu whips him, Hatton surely made a mistake not taking the fight.

Totally. But they took the easy option instead. Its taking those easy options throughout his career that has held him back I think.

He could have fought for a world title by his 30th fight - I dont see him being any better now really than he was 2 or 3 years ago.

nickd wrote:....I dont see him being any better now really than he was 2 or 3 years ago.

Maybe worse actually, because of all those soft options.

Fact is other than that Magee fight when was Hatton in a fight where the other guy had a realistic chance of winning going in? Tackie perhaps but thats about it.

Chopping Right wrote:

J wrote:i odnt think anyone is leading anyone when the trainer of one of the fighters retrospectivley admits he pulled the plug on the fight.

True he did, but it's funny how a few hundred thousand dollars can lubricate even the rustiest of deals.

hmm but wasnt harris already getitng his biggest purse ever, then got pulled and fought for a third in a remathc agianst urkal.

dont think it was aobut money or that wouldnt have happened.

Also why would Steward come out and publicly belittle his charge by saying he didnt fancy his chances, unles she meant it.

hardly a confidence boost is it.

just my take on it.

J wrote:

Chopping Right wrote:

J wrote:i odnt think anyone is leading anyone when the trainer of one of the fighters retrospectivley admits he pulled the plug on the fight.

True he did, but it's funny how a few hundred thousand dollars can lubricate even the rustiest of deals.

hmm but wasnt harris already getitng his biggest purse ever, then got pulled and fought for a third in a remathc agianst urkal.

dont think it was aobut money or that wouldnt have happened.

Also why would Steward come out and publicly belittle his charge by saying he didnt fancy his chances, unles she meant it.

hardly a confidence boost is it.

just my take on it.

True. But a lot of potential big fights have fallen through for Hatton, no surprise that Allegedly blames the opponent each time. In some cases fair enough not his fault i.e. Harris - but for the proposed match with Pinto why on earth had Pinto still not signed a contract for the fight right up until the tail end of fight week? They left the side door open for him there....

And the Mitchell fight was just a plain duck, Gary Shaw wanted to make the fight - remember the post fight at the MEN when they both fought? Instead Hatton fought the guy Mitchell had just pasted....

At what level would ricky face if he loses to Tszyu, does he go in at the deep end again i.e. Harris, Cotto, etc or does he fight the lower level opposition again ???

Back to WBU at the MEN I reckon for a few fights. They've been so safety first up to now then coming off a loss I see that being the case again - may even see him more protected if thats possible.

A rematch with Vilches to see if he can KO him this time.

J wrote:....why would Steward come out and publicly belittle his charge by saying he didnt fancy his chances, unles she meant it.

He does do that does old Manny Steward, he's a bit of a shocker for it really. I think he does it to protect his golden image as "World No 1 Trainer " when something has happenedinvolving one of his fighters. I remember hearing him say how Henry Akinwande had all the skills but didn't have the guts to be a top heavyweight, and he was training Henry at the time for a fight with Holyfield! I guess he was paving the way for an "I told you so" if Akinwande bailed in the fight.

FAIR POINTS THERE NICK.
thin its a bit of both, just think Harris is one the fight we can clear most the blame from Hatitns side of the fence is all.

Agree he should have fought mitchell, hindsights a wonderful thing though.
Personally i think hatton would have splattered Mitchell by the 8th.

but then again im biased.

by the way you coming for as pint tonight?

Has Hatton faced any punchers outside of Magee and Tackie? Magee shook him up as we know, Tackie was probably too limited.

J wrote:FAIR POINTS THERE NICK.
thin its a bit of both, just think Harris is one the fight we can clear most the blame from Hatitns side of the fence is all.

Agree he should have fought mitchell, hindsights a wonderful thing though.
Personally i think hatton would have splattered Mitchell by the 8th.

but then again im biased.

by the way you coming for as pint tonight?

Unfortunately not, I was up for it but got to do some family shite.

shame dude. another time.

Nick dribbles in his beer by his 3rd pint anyway....

Two words if all I'm saying James...... Bar Monaco. HA HA!

Or Axel Shulz!!

Or the Liverpool football team!

Ouch that was low mate....

You comin on my stag so I can get me own back on you?

do tell i love stories where people make an arse of themselves and it isnt me for a change