Thread: Good Read For The Brits.

HATTON AND GREAT BRITAIN: PERFECT TOGETHER (December 10, 2007)
By William Dettloff
In view of what transpired in Las Vegas on Saturday night, one can only with clear conviction conclude that the fiercest, most loyal, and most demonstrative fight fans on earth reside in Great Britain. It’s true those in attendance to watch Ricky Hatton challenge Floyd Mayweather displayed scandalously poor manners by booing and hissing the singing of the national anthem of the United States, while in comparison, nary a sound was heard during Tom Jones’ rendition of “God Save The Queen.” (Maybe it was because the American fans were outnumbered.) You can hardly blame them for that.
What really was telling was the crowd’s continued rooting and support of their man Hatton, in the form of song, even as he lay in a semiconscious state on the canvas in the 10th round, having been pole-axed by a Mayweather left hook.
It matters little that the song heard throughout the week and in the farthest reaches of the Nevada desert is, to the untrained ear, part nonsensical, part unintelligible, and mostly derivative. It takes a special brand of people to muster the kind of loyalty and devotion to a prizefighter that British fight fans in general and Hatton fans in particular have demonstrated passionately, in great number, and at great volume.
I can think of no American athlete—never mind a pug, for heaven’s sake—who is so beloved that his fans would travel to Great Britain by the planeload to watch him compete in a contest whose outcome, by way of rational thinking, is almost a foregone conclusion.
But this is nothing new for British fight fans. Long, passionate affairs with the likes of Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno, mystifying though they were to Americans, forever shamefully and stubbornly transfixed on winning, remain evidence of the country’s devotion to its gloved warriors, regardless of their level of achievement. It is an admirable land indeed whose people pride earnestness of will and love of country over the selfishness of an accomplishment-based mentality.
It is mostly for this reason that when a radio show host in Ireland asked me early in the week if Hatton had made a mistake in taking on Mayweather, if he would be better off staying in Britain, I replied along the lines of “certainly not.”
I knew then what I know now: Hatton was making the biggest payday of his career, probably the biggest one he’d ever make. He’d still be the world junior welterweight champion either way. And even after Mayweather beat him, his fans would not desert him. In fact, the defeat would endear him even further.
If you think Hatton was a champion of the people before, watch him now

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

HATTON AND GREAT BRITAIN: PERFECT TOGETHER (December 10, 2007)
By William Dettloff
In view of what transpired in Las Vegas on Saturday night, one can only with clear conviction conclude that the fiercest, most loyal, and most demonstrative fight fans on earth reside in Great Britain. It’s true those in attendance to watch Ricky Hatton challenge Floyd Mayweather displayed scandalously poor manners by booing and hissing the singing of the national anthem of the United States, while in comparison, nary a sound was heard during Tom Jones’ rendition of “God Save The Queen.” (Maybe it was because the American fans were outnumbered.) You can hardly blame them for that.
What really was telling was the crowd’s continued rooting and support of their man Hatton, in the form of song, even as he lay in a semiconscious state on the canvas in the 10th round, having been pole-axed by a Mayweather left hook.
It matters little that the song heard throughout the week and in the farthest reaches of the Nevada desert is, to the untrained ear, part nonsensical, part unintelligible, and mostly derivative. It takes a special brand of people to muster the kind of loyalty and devotion to a prizefighter that British fight fans in general and Hatton fans in particular have demonstrated passionately, in great number, and at great volume.
I can think of no American athlete—never mind a pug, for heaven’s sake—who is so beloved that his fans would travel to Great Britain by the planeload to watch him compete in a contest whose outcome, by way of rational thinking, is almost a foregone conclusion.
But this is nothing new for British fight fans. Long, passionate affairs with the likes of Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno, mystifying though they were to Americans, forever shamefully and stubbornly transfixed on winning, remain evidence of the country’s devotion to its gloved warriors, regardless of their level of achievement. It is an admirable land indeed whose people pride earnestness of will and love of country over the selfishness of an accomplishment-based mentality.
It is mostly for this reason that when a radio show host in Ireland asked me early in the week if Hatton had made a mistake in taking on Mayweather, if he would be better off staying in Britain, I replied along the lines of “certainly not.”
I knew then what I know now: Hatton was making the biggest payday of his career, probably the biggest one he’d ever make. He’d still be the world junior welterweight champion either way. And even after Mayweather beat him, his fans would not desert him. In fact, the defeat would endear him even further.
If you think Hatton was a champion of the people before, watch him now

What's the point of posting this 5 months later?

Originally Posted by killersheep

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

HATTON AND GREAT BRITAIN: PERFECT TOGETHER (December 10, 2007)
By William Dettloff
In view of what transpired in Las Vegas on Saturday night, one can only with clear conviction conclude that the fiercest, most loyal, and most demonstrative fight fans on earth reside in Great Britain. It’s true those in attendance to watch Ricky Hatton challenge Floyd Mayweather displayed scandalously poor manners by booing and hissing the singing of the national anthem of the United States, while in comparison, nary a sound was heard during Tom Jones’ rendition of “God Save The Queen.” (Maybe it was because the American fans were outnumbered.) You can hardly blame them for that.
What really was telling was the crowd’s continued rooting and support of their man Hatton, in the form of song, even as he lay in a semiconscious state on the canvas in the 10th round, having been pole-axed by a Mayweather left hook.
It matters little that the song heard throughout the week and in the farthest reaches of the Nevada desert is, to the untrained ear, part nonsensical, part unintelligible, and mostly derivative. It takes a special brand of people to muster the kind of loyalty and devotion to a prizefighter that British fight fans in general and Hatton fans in particular have demonstrated passionately, in great number, and at great volume.
I can think of no American athlete—never mind a pug, for heaven’s sake—who is so beloved that his fans would travel to Great Britain by the planeload to watch him compete in a contest whose outcome, by way of rational thinking, is almost a foregone conclusion.
But this is nothing new for British fight fans. Long, passionate affairs with the likes of Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno, mystifying though they were to Americans, forever shamefully and stubbornly transfixed on winning, remain evidence of the country’s devotion to its gloved warriors, regardless of their level of achievement. It is an admirable land indeed whose people pride earnestness of will and love of country over the selfishness of an accomplishment-based mentality.
It is mostly for this reason that when a radio show host in Ireland asked me early in the week if Hatton had made a mistake in taking on Mayweather, if he would be better off staying in Britain, I replied along the lines of “certainly not.”
I knew then what I know now: Hatton was making the biggest payday of his career, probably the biggest one he’d ever make. He’d still be the world junior welterweight champion either way. And even after Mayweather beat him, his fans would not desert him. In fact, the defeat would endear him even further.
If you think Hatton was a champion of the people before, watch him now

What's the point of posting this 5 months later?

JUST STUMBLED UPON IT,why not

u post something worth reading then.

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by killersheep

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

HATTON AND GREAT BRITAIN: PERFECT TOGETHER (December 10, 2007)
By William Dettloff
In view of what transpired in Las Vegas on Saturday night, one can only with clear conviction conclude that the fiercest, most loyal, and most demonstrative fight fans on earth reside in Great Britain. It’s true those in attendance to watch Ricky Hatton challenge Floyd Mayweather displayed scandalously poor manners by booing and hissing the singing of the national anthem of the United States, while in comparison, nary a sound was heard during Tom Jones’ rendition of “God Save The Queen.” (Maybe it was because the American fans were outnumbered.) You can hardly blame them for that.
What really was telling was the crowd’s continued rooting and support of their man Hatton, in the form of song, even as he lay in a semiconscious state on the canvas in the 10th round, having been pole-axed by a Mayweather left hook.
It matters little that the song heard throughout the week and in the farthest reaches of the Nevada desert is, to the untrained ear, part nonsensical, part unintelligible, and mostly derivative. It takes a special brand of people to muster the kind of loyalty and devotion to a prizefighter that British fight fans in general and Hatton fans in particular have demonstrated passionately, in great number, and at great volume.
I can think of no American athlete—never mind a pug, for heaven’s sake—who is so beloved that his fans would travel to Great Britain by the planeload to watch him compete in a contest whose outcome, by way of rational thinking, is almost a foregone conclusion.
But this is nothing new for British fight fans. Long, passionate affairs with the likes of Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno, mystifying though they were to Americans, forever shamefully and stubbornly transfixed on winning, remain evidence of the country’s devotion to its gloved warriors, regardless of their level of achievement. It is an admirable land indeed whose people pride earnestness of will and love of country over the selfishness of an accomplishment-based mentality.
It is mostly for this reason that when a radio show host in Ireland asked me early in the week if Hatton had made a mistake in taking on Mayweather, if he would be better off staying in Britain, I replied along the lines of “certainly not.”
I knew then what I know now: Hatton was making the biggest payday of his career, probably the biggest one he’d ever make. He’d still be the world junior welterweight champion either way. And even after Mayweather beat him, his fans would not desert him. In fact, the defeat would endear him even further.
If you think Hatton was a champion of the people before, watch him now

What's the point of posting this 5 months later?

JUST STUMBLED UPON IT,why not

u post something worth reading then.

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

urgh.....why is this a good read JUST for brits?

good read though, to suggest north or south america isnt as passionate about its boxing than the UK is maybe just a bit far fetched.

You have to remember that despite the tiny stature of our country we have the worlds 4th largest economy hence many a fight fan can actually afford to travel thousands of miles to see a boxing contest as opposed to perhaps a mexican or puerto rican who makes barely enough money to feed himself and his family.

We`ve always been a very sport friendly nation and for some bizzare reason love our losers just as much as we do our winners. Ive never quite seen the immense support hatton receives for any other boxer though.

The reason ricky is so loved all over the country is because he gives off the impression that he is just like most working class brits.

We love our booze
we love our women
we love our football

take those 3 things away and im sure you`ll find the inner heart of modern day society in britain is completely lost on us common folk!!

Originally Posted by hattonthehammer

urgh.....why is this a good read JUST for brits?

good read though, to suggest north or south america isnt as passionate about its boxing than the UK is maybe just a bit far fetched.

You have to remember that despite the tiny stature of our country we have the worlds 4th largest economy hence many a fight fan can actually afford to travel thousands of miles to see a boxing contest as opposed to perhaps a mexican or puerto rican who makes barely enough money to feed himself and his family.

We`ve always been a very sport friendly nation and for some bizzare reason love our losers just as much as we do our winners. Ive never quite seen the immense support hatton receives for any other boxer though.

The reason ricky is so loved all over the country is because he gives off the impression that he is just like most working class brits.

We love our booze
we love our women
we love our football

take those 3 things away and im sure you`ll find the inner heart of modern day society in britain is completely lost on us common folk!!

no the reason why we all love ricky is,

like all the brits he goes abroad and gets into a fight,gotta love us

sorry,stereotyping dont ya just hate it

personally i didnt suggest any other nation isnt as passionate and i wasnt being xenophobic with regards to the title,bit pedantic my friend

i just thought it would be a good read thats all

A good read indeed. I think the views in the article aren't exactly accurate though. I think the main reason british boxers get a massive following is simple: We don't have alot of 'greats'. Hatton, Calzaghe, Haye, Macca, maybe Khan in the future.. Where as America has alot more great boxers so the nation is more evenly spread out on who they support, if you get what I'm saying.

Originally Posted by p4pking

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by killersheep

What's the point of posting this 5 months later?

JUST STUMBLED UPON IT,why not

u post something worth reading then.

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

2 words mate

dickhead

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by p4pking

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

JUST STUMBLED UPON IT,why not

u post something worth reading then.

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

2 words mate

dickhead

Funny as you wrote that as one word, anywho...........

Take a step back, I call this pointless because you are saying Hatton is popular, don't need an article to back that up, it goes without saying.
I made the same comment on a thread about the popularity of PAC difference is they took it in stride, you got all serious. Drink a pint, cool off and calm down.

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by p4pking

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

JUST STUMBLED UPON IT,why not

u post something worth reading then.

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

2 words mate

dickhead

Not the sharpest tool hmm?

Originally Posted by killersheep

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by p4pking

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

2 words mate

dickhead

Funny as you wrote that as one word, anywho...........

Take a step back, I call this pointless because you are saying Hatton is popular, don't need an article to back that up, it goes without saying.
I made the same comment on a thread about the popularity of PAC difference is they took it in stride, you got all serious. Drink a pint, cool off and calm down.

Originally Posted by killersheep

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by p4pking

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

2 words mate

dickhead

Funny as you wrote that as one word, anywho...........

Take a step back, I call this pointless because you are saying Hatton is popular, don't need an article to back that up, it goes without saying.
I made the same comment on a thread about the popularity of PAC difference is they took it in stride, you got all serious. Drink a pint, cool off and calm down.

hilarious mate,,,,

and i dont drink,it interferes with ones equilibrium.

are u 2 ganging up on me,shall i call my dad??

he is related to butterbean

c`mon lads this is a decent topic to discuss.

lets not ruin the thread with petty squabling!!

Originally Posted by p4pking

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by p4pking

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

2 words mate

dickhead

Not the sharpest tool hmm?

neither is george bush,but look at him now

you underestimate people in the lower regions of the IQ echelons,thick i may be,hungry i aint.

Originally Posted by p4pking

Originally Posted by 1g5a22

Originally Posted by p4pking

Sheep has been a good poster on this site for a long time. Your the one yet to post anything worth reading.

2 words mate

dickhead

Not the sharpest tool hmm?

where you from mate??