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It's a little tough to gauge since Ricky is still active, but let's just say "as of now".
Hatton beat his share of fringe contenders and veterans on the road to the title. Some of his most notable wins (and losses) were as follows:
Kostya Tszyu: While he was inactive for awhile from 2003-04, he was still the top guy @ 140, and ranked in the top 5 p4p by The Ring. His last fight was a very impressive stoppage over top contender Shambra Mitchell. Definitely the most noteworthy win of Hatton's career.
Carlos Maussa: Incredibly awkward fighter who'd upset Vivian Harris for the WBA belt. A weak title-holder, but Hatton did his job and took him out in highlight reel fashion, capping off a great 2005.
Luis Collazo: A very close fight that could've gone either way. You can criticize Hatton for his performance in that you felt he lost, or you can give him credit for taking the fight on relatively short notice (he was supposed to fight Lazcano @ 140) and then moving up and winning a close UD over a welterweight beltholder.
Jose Luis Castillo: The win here has often been downgraded because of how shot Castillo looked. To be fair, Castillo had often been up-and-down depending on the fights, looking so-so in smaller bouts and better in bigger bouts. Regardless, Castillo is a long-time veteran and a possible HOFer whom was at least considered a threat to Hatton before the fight. Hatton stopped him in impressive fashion.
Other notable wins for Hatton: IBF title-holder Juan Urango, veterans Ben Tackie and Vince Phillips.
Floyd Mayweather: Hatton made Mayweather work harder than usual, but for the most part, was outclassed and beaten. Almost all the clean shots were landed by Mayweather throughout the night.
For Hamed:
Steve Robinson: Robinson had a lot of early losses, but by 1995, had developed a nice winning streak and had made 7 defenses of the WBO belt. Ranked #3 at 126 by The Ring at the end of 1994. Hamed dominated Robinson, in between his mocking and taunting.
Manuel Medina: Medina is one of the those real veterans of the sport who's been around for what seems like forever. He'd recently lost his WBC belt to Lusito Espinosa. Ranked #3 by The Ring at 126 at the end of 1995. Hamed looked troubled at times, getting hit with good right hands throughout, but his power proved too much for Medina.
Tom Johnson: The best win of Hamed's career. Johnson was aging at 32, but had made a dozen defenses of his IBF 126 lb. belt and was considered the top featherweight in the world at the time. Hamed was too much for Johnson, stopping him with an uppercut in 8.
Kevin Kelley: Kelley had only lost once, but was a little past his prime at the time and been in some tough bouts (Gonzalez, Gainer I). Nevertheless, he was a good test for Hamed and provided by the most fan-friendly fight of Hamed's career, as Hamed came out on the winning end of a 4 round, 6 knockdown bout.
Wilfredo Vasquez: Vasquez had made 4 defenses of his WBA belt, but got stripped right before fighting Hamed. Vasquez was a solid veteran, but clearly aging as he was in his late 30s at the time. Hamed's power and youth were too much.
Cesar Soto: Having just upset Lusito Espinosa, Soto was the WBC champ when Hamed won this dull bout, highlighted by a body slam.
Marco Antonio Barrera: Barrera schooled Hamed behind his jab and boxing skills, and Hamed never mentally recovered, having fought just 1x since then.
Other notable wins for Hamed: Tough veteran Wayne McCullough, long-time 122 lb. champ Vuyani Bungu
Hatton beat his share of fringe contenders and veterans on the road to the title. Some of his most notable wins (and losses) were as follows:
Kostya Tszyu: While he was inactive for awhile from 2003-04, he was still the top guy @ 140, and ranked in the top 5 p4p by The Ring. His last fight was a very impressive stoppage over top contender Shambra Mitchell. Definitely the most noteworthy win of Hatton's career.
Carlos Maussa: Incredibly awkward fighter who'd upset Vivian Harris for the WBA belt. A weak title-holder, but Hatton did his job and took him out in highlight reel fashion, capping off a great 2005.
Luis Collazo: A very close fight that could've gone either way. You can criticize Hatton for his performance in that you felt he lost, or you can give him credit for taking the fight on relatively short notice (he was supposed to fight Lazcano @ 140) and then moving up and winning a close UD over a welterweight beltholder.
Jose Luis Castillo: The win here has often been downgraded because of how shot Castillo looked. To be fair, Castillo had often been up-and-down depending on the fights, looking so-so in smaller bouts and better in bigger bouts. Regardless, Castillo is a long-time veteran and a possible HOFer whom was at least considered a threat to Hatton before the fight. Hatton stopped him in impressive fashion.
Other notable wins for Hatton: IBF title-holder Juan Urango, veterans Ben Tackie and Vince Phillips.
Floyd Mayweather: Hatton made Mayweather work harder than usual, but for the most part, was outclassed and beaten. Almost all the clean shots were landed by Mayweather throughout the night.
For Hamed:
Steve Robinson: Robinson had a lot of early losses, but by 1995, had developed a nice winning streak and had made 7 defenses of the WBO belt. Ranked #3 at 126 by The Ring at the end of 1994. Hamed dominated Robinson, in between his mocking and taunting.
Manuel Medina: Medina is one of the those real veterans of the sport who's been around for what seems like forever. He'd recently lost his WBC belt to Lusito Espinosa. Ranked #3 by The Ring at 126 at the end of 1995. Hamed looked troubled at times, getting hit with good right hands throughout, but his power proved too much for Medina.
Tom Johnson: The best win of Hamed's career. Johnson was aging at 32, but had made a dozen defenses of his IBF 126 lb. belt and was considered the top featherweight in the world at the time. Hamed was too much for Johnson, stopping him with an uppercut in 8.
Kevin Kelley: Kelley had only lost once, but was a little past his prime at the time and been in some tough bouts (Gonzalez, Gainer I). Nevertheless, he was a good test for Hamed and provided by the most fan-friendly fight of Hamed's career, as Hamed came out on the winning end of a 4 round, 6 knockdown bout.
Wilfredo Vasquez: Vasquez had made 4 defenses of his WBA belt, but got stripped right before fighting Hamed. Vasquez was a solid veteran, but clearly aging as he was in his late 30s at the time. Hamed's power and youth were too much.
Cesar Soto: Having just upset Lusito Espinosa, Soto was the WBC champ when Hamed won this dull bout, highlighted by a body slam.
Marco Antonio Barrera: Barrera schooled Hamed behind his jab and boxing skills, and Hamed never mentally recovered, having fought just 1x since then.
Other notable wins for Hamed: Tough veteran Wayne McCullough, long-time 122 lb. champ Vuyani Bungu
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