Why is Hatton so much more popular than Lennox, Hamed, Bruno, etc?

[DIOS DOMINICANO]

There have been quite a few very good and/or celebrated British fighters.

Lennox Lewis is probably the most accomplished of all British fighters in recent years. Before him, Naseem Hamed was widely marketed, and Frank Bruno had moments in the sun.

None of the other fighters were able to mobilize large groups to fly across the pond or to sell big numbers on the scale that ricky has.


What has made ricky hatton so much more adored and revered by the British public than the other fighters who have come to America?

I've never been to England, so perhaps the British contingent can help me understand this dynamic.

[!! Mr. Soprano]

because he is a local guy, who is not treated as a celebrity, down to earth.. he mixes with his fans in Manchester...
he fights at home, he is exciting and he wins..

Lewis fought for Canada and maybe that he is black. (I don't know.. you're asking for reasons,, so I'm guessing now)
Hamed is, what is he Indian?

whatever the case is.. I guess people see Hatton as "one of their own."

[Tuggers1986]

because he is a local guy, who is not treated as a celebrity, down to earth.. he mixes with his fans in Manchester...
he fights at home, he is exciting and he wins..

Yeah you're right. He's got more fans because his fans can connect with him. He doesn't rate himself and isn't flashy and arrogant.

[Naps]

There have been quite a few very good and/or celebrated British fighters.

Lennox Lewis is probably the most accomplished of all British fighters in recent years. Before him, Naseem Hamed was widely marketed, and Frank Bruno had moments in the sun.

None of the other fighters were able to mobilize large groups to fly across the pond or to sell big numbers on the scale that ricky has.


What has made ricky hatton so much more adored and revered by the British public than the other fighters who have come to America?

I've never been to England, so perhaps the British contingent can help me understand this dynamic.

There are a few reasons in my eyes.

When brits go on holiday (or to America to watch a fight), they like a drink, hell they like to get ****ing ****-faced. They relate to Hatton more because he is the same when he is not fighting, he's a ****ing party animal, much like to hordes who travel to watch him.

Also, his working class attitude and background, he is just like "The People". He has a great sense of humour, and always has time for the fans. Hell I've bumped into Ricky a couple of times out on the lash in Manc, and he always has time to say hello, and be polite, he even let me buy him a pint of Guiness once.

He is normal. Naseem and Bruno were cartoon characters, and Lennox was a bit low on charisma, and was half Canadian to boot.

Hope this helps you understand better Dios.

[DIOS DOMINICANO]

because he is a local guy, who is not treated as a celebrity, down to earth.. he mixes with his fans in Manchester...
he fights at home, he is exciting and he wins..

Manchester is a relatively contained community. It's not like hatton is from the the East End of London. Is his popularity LARGELY Man-based... or is it pervasive throughout the UK? Is he popular (in Wales and Scotland and Ireland as well as) throughout England?

I understand that Hamed was accessible in Sheffield. Was that so?

Lennox Lewis had many more spectacular KO's than Ricky has. And, of course, boxing has always had that natural affinity to heavyweights.

[MightyMikeA]

Cause he's white. lol

[tito yuca]

Haha no one has said because he's white.

[MickyHatton]

He's real, he doesn't trash talk for the sake of it unlike say Hamed and he's all action.

He doesn't have the silky skills of some fighters but he has tremendous heart and tenacity coupled with the ability to connect with his fans.

[DIOS DOMINICANO]

I'm asking because the American athletes who become wildly popular are not "local guys".

Michael Jordan? Tiger Woods? Mike Tyson? Kobe Bryant? Oscar Delahoya? Do you envision any of those guys having a beer with the fans? They are largely isolated.

[!! Mr. Soprano]

Cause he's white. lol

Haha no one has said because he's white.

Read the second post!

Manchester is a relatively contained community. It's not like hatton is from the the East End of London. Is his popularity LARGELY Man-based... or is it pervasive throughout the UK? Is he popular (in Wales and Scotland and Ireland as well as) throughout England?

I understand that Hamed was accessible in Sheffield. Was that so?

Lennox Lewis had many more spectacular KO's than Ricky has. And, of course, boxing has always had that natural affinity to heavyweights.

I don't know... that's a question for the Brits..