Hatton is a fighter who's popularity out-stripped his ability by some distance. The top man in his division shouldn't be getting hit-at-will from the first bell and before the end of the very next round knocked unconcious from a pot shot albeit from a great fighter in Paquiao.
Calzaghe could and should have done more with his ability which is a charge he'd probably own up to himself, but ring smarts, defence, offence and versatility sets him far apart from Hatton.
When matched at top level, ability is the basis for success and whilst they both dominated their respective divisions Hatton's ability was clearly not to a level of excellance required whereby the head to head showdown with your nearest rival (beit at a higher weight v Hopkins or your natural weight v Paquiao) results in being rendered unconcious.
I've been a huge fan of both and Calzaghe in particular so maybe there is bias in what I say but the facts don't lie.
Bottom line is for all his many assets Hatton's defence borders on non-existent and whether it's Paquiao's power or Hatton's chin, the sight of that knockdown was such that it left me doubting whether he belonged in the same ring as Paquiao?
I will be going to this fight as I did for the Calzaghe v Manfredo and aside from the fact thati'm a big Calzaghe fan I can tell anyone thinking of going that you will never come across an atmosphere as electric as it will be come fight night.
As for the fight, I haven't seen a single fight of Kessler's so I'd be guessing in terms of the outcome but I will say this, Kessler had better be beyond the traditional levels of fitness, even in terms of World Champions, because Calzaghe's greatest strength is a workrate that (combined with speed) a feather-weight would struggle to match.
Boxing will be winner for sure when this fight takes place and I'd encourage anyone capable of getting to the fight to do so.
Roll on November, Tremendous!!!
There's a lot said in regard of Hopkins' record vs Calzaghe's and if you hold their opponents as a barometer then you should point out that on equal terms against an in-prime rival, Roy Jones Jnr, Hopkins lost.
He then went on a record run of defences that, much like Calzaghe's, went unoticed and under appreciated.
His prominence has come as a result of victories against over matched (in terms of weight) opponents in the wins over Trinidad, Delahoya, Winky.
How would these opponents fared against Calzaghe? Sadly we will never know but rather than ask opponents to jump up 2 divisions or more from their prime weight, fight Calzaghe and prove that you can beat an in-prime fighter who's undoubtedly at his peak.
I speak as a Calzaghe fan so there is bias in what I say but if you find my comments unreasonable than say so.