The new Ricky Hatton?

Nation's popularity was down to his aggressive, face-first style of fighting, no doubt. But you have to give Frank Warren major credit gi his marketing skills. Hatton is a massive Manchester City football fan, and staging his fights at the Manchester MEN arena was genius. The level of opponent didn't matter. Those people would've paid to see Ricky take a dump. Hence why Warren took so long putting Hatton in with a world class opponent. They were coining it in defending the WBU title until even Hatton got tired of it and told Warren to step it up. Froch has had less time and worse management in his early career. Not. to mention, calling Calzaghe didn't make him too popular. Good to see he's getting the dues he's paid. I always liked him.

He's a man's man. His willingness to risk it all is something other boxers don't do today. I should just point out...the BBC have not mentioned one thing about Froch this morning. Maybe they said something yesterday (it won't have been much because the BBC don't talk about boxing anymore unless there's a controversy ala Khan-Peterson, Chisora-Haye) but usually on Monday, it's a weekend round up... **** the BBC and the way the treat/act towards boxing. Then again, it's not entirely their fault. They did back Fraduley with a massive contract and look what happened there but they defintely should jump back on board the boxing wagon. ITV did well when they showed a few fights and fair play to Channel 5 for picking up the boxing (even if it just Fury fights, it's a start).

Thanks for all the replies, especially from you UK guys giving me a better understanding of how your minds work about you're fighters. You're a passionate bunch and I love your energy. Even if Froch never reaches Hatton levels as far as popularity, you got a fighter to be proud of. WAR FROCH!!

Another reason Eubank was so ****ing hated. Chris Eubank's IQ was far too high for the Brits, ****ing ****y **** :rofl: ...........

theres only 1, ricky hatton. his fans made that clear. haha, good call

'bout time you acknowledged this :) Dont make me put my hate goggles on...:fingersx:

I spent 4 years a Leeds Uni and attended a few soccer games, sorry football, the people of Leeds were so passionate about there sport, i will never forget Elland Road i watch a lot of the premier league on TV and nothing comes close! Hope you liked your time in Leeds. Nice to see someone not from Leeds appreciate Elland Road and Leeds fans as well. We are mad for our football here and I'm proud to be a Leeds fan even though our team is not what it was we still have unbelievable support home and away. I know it would be the same if we had a big time boxer to get behind as well. I wanna see someone get marching on together on for the ring walk the way ricky hatton did with blue moon, it would be mental!

I agree with this! I've often thought about how good it would be if there was a top class boxer from Leeds fighting a big fight in Elland Road. I'm from Leeds and go to the football there but a big fight with the Elland Road atmosphere behind one of our own would be class! Even better than our Champions League nights were. I spent 4 years a Leeds Uni and attended a few soccer games, sorry football, the people of Leeds were so passionate about there sport, i will never forget Elland Road i watch a lot of the premier league on TV and nothing comes close!

The arena is being built at the moment 11k capacity. Hopefully someone puts a event on there.

''The Platinum Kid'' Adil Anwar is from Leeds. He can only get better. He's 24, Prizefighter winner in February and just won a British eliminator. Elland Road needs to be used for boxing though. Yeh I'm looking forward to seeing how he progresses. Looked handy in Prizefighter...

Elland Road!!!!!!!!! Atmosphere was pretty quiet when our 6th and 7th Goal wemt in. very funny but we did you for 4 at your place

Shame Leeds doesn't have a top class fighter, there is no atmosphere like Elland Road would be awsome to see them behind a top fighter! I agree with this! I've often thought about how good it would be if there was a top class boxer from Leeds fighting a big fight in Elland Road. I'm from Leeds and go to the football there but a big fight with the Elland Road atmosphere behind one of our own would be class! Even better than our Champions League nights were.

Shame Leeds doesn't have a top class fighter, there is no atmosphere like Elland Road would be awsome to see them behind a top fighter! Elland Road!!!!!!!!! Atmosphere was pretty quiet when our 6th and 7th Goal wemt in.

British fans. I'm British and I love a good, loud, steamed British sports crowd. We are thee most deafening fans in the world. Shame Leeds doesn't have a top class fighter, there is no atmosphere like Elland Road would be awsome to see them behind a top fighter!

Ricky's image was brilliantly created by Frank Warren, it made him the huge draw he became. Warren marketed him as your dumb but witty mate who happened to box a bit. Froch, on the other hand, and for all that I think he's a superior fighter, comes off as far too confident and intelligent for the mainstream British sports public to ever embrace him as one of their own. We British like happy idiots, and we like plucky losers. Ricky fulfilled both roles admirably. (Not criticising Ricky's excellent career, just that he never reached the very, very pinnacle of the sport. Brits like to feel dismayed, we're a strange bunch).

If Froch had turned pro with a decent promoter and been built up properly im sure he would be a huge star now but at 35 years old i fear its too late for him to reach superstar level in the UK, its a shame cause he is a true warrior and should be a national treasure but Mick Hennesey ****ed up the early part of his career!

There is only one Ricky Hatton 'bout time you acknowledged this :)

Froch is a warrior, a man who will fight anyone, anywhere and who's style is very entertaining. With that said will his fans follow him by the thousands from country to country like Hattons fans did for him? The UK has some great fans, I'd like to see them embrace Froch like they did Ricky. If I was British I would. That Nottingham crowd was so juiced it made me feel proud and I'm not British. I was already a Froch fan, but he really earned my respect and support last night!

Hatton was still in his 20s when he managed to do all that. He started to build a big fanbase at a young age. Froch is almost 40 years old.

Do you think this fight will propel him into the limelight like the Hatton-Tszyu fight? I hope it does because I cant help but love this guys attitude and demeanor. I think it will make him a bigger star over here but he wont come close 2 being as big as hatton. Hatton was managed better when he was up and coming. Froch wouldn't sell 55,000 tickets fighting someone of the calibre of lazcano.