In January of 2005 the late Arturo Gatti impressively disposed Jesse Jame Leija in the 5th. to defend his WBC 140lbs title.
in July that year Ricky Hatton TKO'd the lineal and recognized 140lbs champion Kostya Tsyu for the IBF belt.
If they have fought late that year at 140 to unify WBC and IBF. Who would have won?
Hatton was never that good.
Gatti would've moidered him.
That is a stupid statement.
Gatti is a true warrior and has a fan friendly style but Hatton only lost to?
Gatti in his prime lost to guys like Manfredy and Robinson. and though out of prime being embarassed by Baldomir and Alfonso Gomez confirms how he should be ranked.
I would go with Hatton also. coming off that very impressive stoppage of Kostya the betting line would favor Hatton for sure.
It wasn't that impressive. Kostya was old, the fight was held at 2 am in Hatton's hometown with Hatton's ref and the fight itself was one of the worst I've ever seen.
All Hatton did was grab Tzyu and maul all night.
Gatti was very impressive also againts the smaller Leija. He showed some 'new' boxing with McGirt.
If there is a fight that would rival JLC-Corrales. This fight would meet the biggest requirement.
no it wouldn't. Hatton's never been in any exciting fights because his style sucks like John Ruiz's.
The only good thing about his fights is watching him get ktfo so that we could put an end to all the holding.
I would go with Hatton also. coming off that very impressive stoppage of Kostya the betting line would favor Hatton for sure.
Gatti was very impressive also againts the smaller Leija. He showed some 'new' boxing with McGirt.
If there is a fight that would rival JLC-Corrales. This fight would meet the biggest requirement.
Unlikely to beat Corrales-Castillo 1 or Cotto-Torres in 2005.
Still it would have been a pretty memorable fight, it is pretty rare when both guys faces end up looking like 3 day old pieces of meatloaf.
Gatti never met a brawl he didnt like. Hatton's style would work right into a "Gatti fight". Hatton's clinch would have also given Gatti the rests he needed as he was getting older at that point. Close fight on the cards, if it didnt get stopped by some one punch Gatti THUNDER on a face first lunging Hatton. Would have been FOTY style fight no doubt.
Hatton at that point was the better man although Gatti would have his moments from the outside but he would be unable to keep Hatton off him.
It would be on of those fights where you could not recognize either guy after though~