What If? – Ricky Hatton vs. Three Welterweight Boxing Legends

© Mike Cleary

As the title of this article states, this piece is about what would have happened if Ricky Hatton had had to face greats from the welterweight division from years gone by. I think the probability of what would have happened had Ricky been born at a time when it would have made it necessary for

him to have fought men named Hearns, Leonard and Duran, goes to show how he is no welterweight – this was proven even by Luis Collazo who, while a good fighter, is no legend. Clearly, Ricky must drop back down to light welter, if he wishes to regain his former dominance. But since he IS a world champion at 147, let’s compare him against three all-time greats who fought in the division in which “The Hitman” currently reigns. Boxers Ricky grew up watching and who he now idolises – especially in the case of Roberto Duran.

Ironically, I feel the man who he so admires in Roberto Duran is the one fighter of the three who Hatton would have had the best chance against. Duran, like Ricky, came up in weight to box as a welterweight. He actually won his first world title at lightweight, therefore his achievement of winning belts at both welterweight AND middleweight (with light middle thrown in for good measure) is quite remarkable. But then Roberto Duran was an exceptional fighting man. What then of Ricky’s chances against the man he rates as his number one boxing hero?

Both men measure up fairly evenly. Duran stands five feet and seven inches and has a 66 inch reach – so Roberto has only a slight edge over Ricky here. I believe the fight would have been a war, with neither man giving up. The action would have been fought as though in a phone booth, and Ricky- especially in the later rounds-would have had some success. Duran was in condition to go fifteen rounds but Hatton is no slouch in the stamina department himself. This one would have gone right down to the wire and after fifteen gruelling rounds that produce not one knockdown- the winner by unanimous (but close) decision would be- “The Hands of Stone” Roberto Duran. Amazingly, Duran is completely unmarked afterwards while Ricky sports a swollen and reddened face, along with some puffiness around both eyes.
Nonetheless, Ricky does England proud in giving the great Duran all he can handle – both taking and giving some venomous punches.

Fighting Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns was a most intimidating thing for most any welterweight, due in large part to Tommy’s astonishing measurements. At six foot one inches tall and with a reach of 78 inches Hearns had massive advantages over any 147 pound boxer he ever fought. There would be no change in this department in a bout with England’s “Hitman”-Ricky Hatton. Add Tommy’s vaunted punching power to the equation and you have a recipe for disaster for Ricky. In a fight that is somewhat similar to Hearns’ destruction of Duran, Tommy comes out firing and Ricky is completely overwhelmed from the very start. He cannot get anywhere near Tommy to land anything of significance and is badly wobbled half way through the first three minutes. Showing great courage, he manages to survive to hear the bell. But as he walks back to his corner it is clear that he needs a miracle to win this one. Ricky comes out for round two with his head down, in an attempt to keep his chin tucked in and out of harms way, and rushes Hearns- trying his absolute best to unload some bombs. He briefly has Tommy on the ropes but Hearns boxes his way out and then circles Hatton, waiting to strike with the right hand. As Ricky comes rushing forwards again he is met with Tommy’s fearsome right cross, which lands flush on his jaw. Hatton crumbles to the canvas and though he shows his warrior’s heart by trying to rise he cannot do so and is counted out while on his knees. It is all over. The fight to decide who the real “Hitman” is ends as a win for the man from Detroit. “There is only one Hitman!” says Tommy, with a glint in his eye afterwards.

“Sugar” Ray Leonard is one of the all-time greats of boxing – regardless of weight class. But it is as a welterweight that he boxed while at his absolute peak. Though charming and good looking and with a ready smile for the cameras when outside the ring, Leonard had a heart as mean and tough as any fighter when inside it. At five foot ten and with a reach of 74 inches, Ray has quite an advantage in size over Hatton. Ray’s blurring speed, of both hand and foot – along with underrated KO power- prove to be the biggest obstacles for Hatton to overcome, however.

Ricky comes out stalking while “Sugar” glides in and out, firing out his slick jab. Hatton does bull Leonard to the ropes at times but Leonard fights on the inside well. This isn’t in his best interests though, and he soon slips away and the fight recommences in ring centre. Leonard puts on a veritable master class, showing all the moves in his vast repertoire. Ray counters, slips punches, dances with his hands down at times and lets loose with combinations thrown with blinding speed and accuracy. Ricky refuses to give in though, and does make things somewhat difficult for Leonard in the later rounds of the fight – his body work in particular possibly having some effect on Ray at this stage. Amazingly, Hatton’s eyes hold up fairly well, too. There are no serious problems with cuts – this despite the slashing blows that Ray has landed on occasion. Ricky has had his best moments in the fight though, and in round thirteen an ultra aggressive “Sugar Ray” comes out looking to close the show.

Leonard comes out gunning for the KO – it is apparent that he was simply coasting in the previous two rounds. He lets both hands go in classy bursts and has Hatton holding on with a minute gone in the round. Hatton’s heart is commendable, but after another hurtful combination lands on his jaw, he falls to the canvas – seriously hurt. Only blind instinct enables him to attempt to rise – but he is a totally beaten fighter. The count hits ten, and Ray Leonard raises both arms in triumph. The former gold medallist’s sheer class and brilliance was simply too much for the brave Englishman. But Hatton is rightfully proud of his gritty performance, as he makes clear while being interviewed post-fight. He had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. He was simply in the ring with one of the top two or three finest
welterweights in history!