Unless Khan is prepared to bleach his skin and stop following his current religion,he will never come close to the level of following that Hatton had.
Sad but true. That hardcore English following that Hatton had came from the normal everyday working class English folks. They do not stand behind Khan, they'll just see him as an arrogant foreigner.
Hatton had that down to earth vibe to him, he'd go down to the pub and throw some darts with the locals. The english public felt a connection with him. He was that boy next door that became a world champion and a star.
As good as Khan is, (and I do like him) he simply does not have that. I see him more gaining fans with open minded youngsters and the international community in Britain. Hatton was one of a kind, he's the only one that made a fight look and sound like a British football derby.
He's not far off. He's probably the most popular boxer in the UK at the moment. I agree he won't have the travelling fanbase Hatton had. Hatton appealed to the loud mouth football types. Khan will win fans over based on ability rather than what he represents.
I'd say he's only a Tim Bradley/Devon Alexander off píssing on Hatton's resume.
Good words from Khan, hes turning into an mature guy in and out the ring.
Wish him the best, I like the fact he's dedicated to the sport regardless though, what we need.
to me there is a "enormous" Elephant in the room
Hate to say it (hate to come over as a racist), but Hatton got most of his support from the white working class, who saw him as an aspiration to follow (despite his background, this kid of working class parents, was able to get this successful.
Amir Khan is a success of the "multicultural society", but even though he's born and bred in UK, for him to garner the support Hatton had accumulated, he would need the loyalty of that white working class folks. Unfortunately, to some, they also view Amir Khan as a Pakistani lad, and in the North, where he grew up, they don't hold a favourable view of Pakistanis (with what happened in Oldham).
For that reason Khan will never achieve the cult-status Hatton had, cause he'l never be seen as One of their own"
Lets be realistic folks, Khan will be very successful in UK and the rest of the world, but in the UK, he'll never achieve what Hatton did (supporters-wise), it just won't happen
He could become the biggest in the UK, but there's NO chance he'll ever bring 30k+ travelling support with him to Vegas.
True. I'm not sure any british fighter will have that type of support again.
He could become the biggest in the UK, but there's NO chance he'll ever bring 30k+ travelling support with him to Vegas.
Totally agree. What Hatton bought in way of support was truly unique. I respect Amir and his achievements a great deal, he has the potential to go way further than Hatton in the ring but I can’t see him recreating the same droves of beloved fans that will go way half way across the world as Hatton enjoyed.