Hatton is Not a P4P Level Figher

[Guest]

Going life and death with Luis Collazo, a guy that a 35-year-old Mosley completely outclassed, showed the world that Hatton just isn't a world class fighter. That's why he will never step foot again at 147. He'll retire when he can't make 140 anymore...

Any P4P level fighter should be able to handle moving up one division without a problem. Mayweather has done it many times. Pacquiao has done it many times. Winky had no problem moving up to middleweight and arguably beating Jermain Taylor. Barrera has moved up three divisions. Hopkins even skipped a division at 41 and dominated Tarver. Just over the weekend, Marquez moved up to 122 and beat the RING champion there. The list goes on and on.

If Hatton is a world class, P4P level figher, why did he struggle mightily with a fringe contender like Collazo? Why did he decide not to stick around welterweight and prepare his body properly for the division? Why did Hatton run back to 140 when there are absolutely zero meaningful fights to be made there?

I actually agree with you... Hatton isn't in my P4P top ten. (Not that such a concept should be taken seriously anyway).

However, the whole basis of your argument - using triangular logic and judging Hatton going up a weight against the performance of a man coming down a weight - isn't sound.

It's the ridiculousness of arguments against Hatton that I oppose, not actually criticism of The Paler himself.

[global_analyst]

He might not make my top current 10 P4P list but certainly not far behind, i will have him @ # 12 or 13

[RAESAAD]

I agree with the title of this thread..........

[hugh grant]

The thing is Hatton stepped up against a welterweight that hadnt been beatne for years and was a southpaw. Hatton rushed that step up without given it much thought. He stepped up because there wasnt a 140 opponent and he fancied a belt in the 147 he got it. Didnt perform great but boxers dont always perform great.
Anyone can step up but it dont prove much if you face weak fighters or step up a division which is weak. RJJ stepped up and beat Ruiz because Ruiz was weak.

[OptimusWolf]

The truth hurts.

Nah mate I'm not a fan of Ricky's apart from in a nationalistic sense. I just prefer it when I can read the boards without having to wade through the same old excrament. You're by no means the only offender, but continually making crap threads bashing the same fighters, contributing nothing to a boxing debate isn't clever.

Maybe you'll learn, maybe you won't.

[titoi]

In Manchester. At 3am. In front of a rollicking and fully juiced home crowd. Ricky Hatton would be tough for *anyone* to beat.

[bdevils]

Is this the same Kostya Tszyu who was lb4lb #1 according to many? The same Kostya Tszyu who nobody gave Hatton a chance against? The same Kostya Tszyu who said at the pre-fight press conference "Kostya Tszyu 35 would beat Kostya Tszyu 25, I would destroy myself"?

That was probably the greatest win in the history of British Boxing.

no it wasn't the same kostya

[.Mik.]

no it wasn't the same kostya

I would like to see you use facts to prove that.

[squealpiggy]

As for local,when I use that word...it means,yes he's a 'world' champion,but a limited one.As in location,fighting lesser opponents in his home town is not impressive to me.

Ricky Hatton's last five opponents:

Juan Urango - Columbia
Luis Collazo - USA
Carlos Maussa - Columbian
Kostya Tszyu - Russian Australian
Ray Oliviera - USA

His next opponent is Mexican.

So what do you mean, not a "world" champion?

[hugh grant]

The thing is Kostya knew in his heart that Hatton was no joke of an opponent, even though Kostya realizied he was favourite. Kostya would have prepared for this fight more thouroughly than for any fight he had ever prepared for. So you can garuntee he was in the shape of his life because to beat Hatton he knew he would have to be. I wonder if in Kostyas own heart and in private moments alone did he really feel like he was the betting favourite?