Thread: Looking Back At Tszyu- Hatton

I was just thinking about that fight and I think many people forget how close that fight was before Tszyu retired. I actually had it 6 rounds to 4 for Kostya going into the 11th round if I remember correctly. He was landing the cleaner punches he just couldn't take Hattons pressure and sometimes dirty style at his age and point in his career, it wore him out mentally and physically. I don't think he was very impressive in defeating Tszyu cause he didn't outclass him, he just outworked him. I have no doubt in my mind that if that fight was even three years earlier Kostya would have beaten him. What made Kostya a great champion is hat he outclassed good opposition with his skill. Don't get my wrong I like Hatton, but he wins his fights with his aggression and can only win one way.

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

I was just thinking about that fight and I think many people forget how close that fight was before Tszyu retired. I actually had it 6 rounds to 4 for Kostya going into the 11th round if I remember correctly. He was landing the cleaner punches he just couldn't take Hattons pressure and sometimes dirty style at his age and point in his career, it wore him out mentally and physically. I don't think he was very impressive in defeating Tszyu cause he didn't outclass him, he just outworked him. I have no doubt in my mind that if that fight was even three years earlier Kostya would have beaten him. What made Kostya a great champion is hat he outclassed good opposition with his skill. Don't get my wrong I like Hatton, but he wins his fights with his aggression and can only win one way.

I love Kostya as much as anyone, and i also think at a younger age he would have beaten Hatton, but a wins a win. I think Ricky had the right game plan to defeat Kostya, didnt let him get set and unload his bombs.

I love Tszyu's style of fighting. He had that taekwondo stand that everytime I watch him it's like he's about to unleash a vicious spin kick.

Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

I was just thinking about that fight and I think many people forget how close that fight was before Tszyu retired. I actually had it 6 rounds to 4 for Kostya going into the 11th round if I remember correctly. He was landing the cleaner punches he just couldn't take Hattons pressure and sometimes dirty style at his age and point in his career, it wore him out mentally and physically. I don't think he was very impressive in defeating Tszyu cause he didn't outclass him, he just outworked him. I have no doubt in my mind that if that fight was even three years earlier Kostya would have beaten him. What made Kostya a great champion is hat he outclassed good opposition with his skill. Don't get my wrong I like Hatton, but he wins his fights with his aggression and can only win one way.

I love Kostya as much as anyone, and i also think at a younger age he would have beaten Hatton, but a wins a win. I think Ricky had the right game plan to defeat Kostya, didnt let him get set and unload his bombs.

Yeah he definately had the right gameplan. Kostya couldnt get leverage on his punches when Hatton backed him up. He just kept smothering him.

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

I was just thinking about that fight and I think many people forget how close that fight was before Tszyu retired. I actually had it 6 rounds to 4 for Kostya going into the 11th round if I remember correctly. He was landing the cleaner punches he just couldn't take Hattons pressure and sometimes dirty style at his age and point in his career, it wore him out mentally and physically. I don't think he was very impressive in defeating Tszyu cause he didn't outclass him, he just outworked him. I have no doubt in my mind that if that fight was even three years earlier Kostya would have beaten him. What made Kostya a great champion is hat he outclassed good opposition with his skill. Don't get my wrong I like Hatton, but he wins his fights with his aggression and can only win one way.

I love Kostya as much as anyone, and i also think at a younger age he would have beaten Hatton, but a wins a win. I think Ricky had the right game plan to defeat Kostya, didnt let him get set and unload his bombs.

Yeah he definately had the right gameplan. Kostya couldnt get leverage on his punches when Hatton backed him up. He just kept smothering him.

Similiar fight to the Philips fight. If only KT could have half landed a right hand Ricky may have been in trouble, but it wasnt to be.

Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

I was just thinking about that fight and I think many people forget how close that fight was before Tszyu retired. I actually had it 6 rounds to 4 for Kostya going into the 11th round if I remember correctly. He was landing the cleaner punches he just couldn't take Hattons pressure and sometimes dirty style at his age and point in his career, it wore him out mentally and physically. I don't think he was very impressive in defeating Tszyu cause he didn't outclass him, he just outworked him. I have no doubt in my mind that if that fight was even three years earlier Kostya would have beaten him. What made Kostya a great champion is hat he outclassed good opposition with his skill. Don't get my wrong I like Hatton, but he wins his fights with his aggression and can only win one way.

I love Kostya as much as anyone, and i also think at a younger age he would have beaten Hatton, but a wins a win. I think Ricky had the right game plan to defeat Kostya, didnt let him get set and unload his bombs.

Yeah he definately had the right gameplan. Kostya couldnt get leverage on his punches when Hatton backed him up. He just kept smothering him.

Similiar fight to the Philips fight. If only KT could have half landed a right hand Ricky may have been in trouble, but it wasnt to be.

Kosta landed a nice right to Hattons chin around the 6th round.

I think it is pure crap when people say Kostya was not the same when Hatton fought him. No one was saying that prior to the fight. Kostya was top 3 pound for pound in most ratings. It is revisionist history to diminish him in the Hatton fight as a close to shot fighter. Hatton was just better, and would have beaten a 28 year old Kostya as well. I've closely watch Kostya at a younger age, and he is not any better on skill level than he was against Hatton. Ricky simply had the style to beat him at any age.

Originally Posted by LeftHookToTheBody

I think it is pure crap when people say Kostya was not the same when Hatton fought him. No one was saying that prior to the fight. Kostya was top 3 pound for pound in most ratings. It is revisionist history to diminish him in the Hatton fight as a close to shot fighter. Hatton was just better, and would have beaten a 28 year old Kostya as well. I've closely watch Kostya at a younger age, and he is not any better on skill level than he was against Hatton. Ricky simply had the style to beat him at any age.

Wouldn't agree with you here, the Tszyu of 1999-2001 would have chopped Hatton up by the 5th round. I actually picked Hatton to win the fight as soon as i saw Tszyu at the weigh in, he looked drawn and gaunt and was not his usual self, he wasted a lot to make the weight and was drained before the fight even started. Fighters at age 35 are only one fight away from being shot and that was the case for Tszyu.
Hatton had all the advantages that night and i changed my pick accordingly, hometown, British Ref, time of the fight etc. Tszyu went there for the cash and took a gamble on winning, there was no shame in losing to Hatton, he is a great fighter and i respect the Fatboy heaps. Tszyu had only fought 3 rounds in 2 and half years before the Hatton fight and time and injury simply caught up with him.
The Mitchell win clouded peoples judgement and it was a great win for Tszyu but he was 34 himself!
Hatton won it and despite some dubious tactics, hats off to him for doing it.
The great shame about Hatton winning is the fact that Tszyu almost certainly would have fought Mayweather next.

Originally Posted by LeftHookToTheBody

I think it is pure crap when people say Kostya was not the same when Hatton fought him. No one was saying that prior to the fight. Kostya was top 3 pound for pound in most ratings. It is revisionist history to diminish him in the Hatton fight as a close to shot fighter. Hatton was just better, and would have beaten a 28 year old Kostya as well. I've closely watch Kostya at a younger age, and he is not any better on skill level than he was against Hatton. Ricky simply had the style to beat him at any age.

I think even the most adamant Hatton fan would be hard pressed to agree with u there. Ricky won the fight, and had a great game plan no doubt, but ,ost will agree Kostya was better in 2000 than he was against Hatton. Name another power puncher who was just as good at 35 as he was at 30. Not many at all. Kostya is no exception.

Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

Originally Posted by LeftHookToTheBody

I think it is pure crap when people say Kostya was not the same when Hatton fought him. No one was saying that prior to the fight. Kostya was top 3 pound for pound in most ratings. It is revisionist history to diminish him in the Hatton fight as a close to shot fighter. Hatton was just better, and would have beaten a 28 year old Kostya as well. I've closely watch Kostya at a younger age, and he is not any better on skill level than he was against Hatton. Ricky simply had the style to beat him at any age.

I think even the most adamant Hatton fan would be hard pressed to agree with u there. Ricky won the fight, and had a great game plan no doubt, but ,ost will agree Kostya was better in 2000 than he was against Hatton. Name another power puncher who was just as good at 35 as he was at 30. Not many at all. Kostya is no exception.

You could argue Castillo was shot, becasue of his shocking performance against the guy who he fought in January and the same guy forget his name was awful in his next bout prior to the Hatton/Castillo fight.

But how the fuck can you say KT was shot?? The guy just blitzed Shambra Mitchell in three rounds 6 months earlier? KT was not shot, you dont go from totally dominating a guy and sparking him (Mitchell was the favourite for this fight) To being shot?? Thats utter crap.

Originally Posted by skel1983

Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

Originally Posted by LeftHookToTheBody

I think it is pure crap when people say Kostya was not the same when Hatton fought him. No one was saying that prior to the fight. Kostya was top 3 pound for pound in most ratings. It is revisionist history to diminish him in the Hatton fight as a close to shot fighter. Hatton was just better, and would have beaten a 28 year old Kostya as well. I've closely watch Kostya at a younger age, and he is not any better on skill level than he was against Hatton. Ricky simply had the style to beat him at any age.

I think even the most adamant Hatton fan would be hard pressed to agree with u there. Ricky won the fight, and had a great game plan no doubt, but ,ost will agree Kostya was better in 2000 than he was against Hatton. Name another power puncher who was just as good at 35 as he was at 30. Not many at all. Kostya is no exception.

You could argue Castillo was shot, becasue of his shocking performance against the guy who he fought in January and the same guy forget his name was awful in his next bout prior to the Hatton/Castillo fight.

But how the F*** can you say KT was shot?? The guy just blitzed Shambra Mitchell in three rounds 6 months earlier? KT was not shot, you dont go from totally dominating a guy and sparking him (Mitchell was the favourite for this fight) To being shot?? Thats utter crap.

Seriously, how long would have Mitchell lasted with Hatton? 5 rounds tops!
Mitchell was 34 and was never in Tszyu's class, Tszyu just got old in one fight against a younger, hungrier fighter, it's happened hundreds of times before and will happen again.
It may very well happen to Mosley against Cotto?

Originally Posted by skel1983

Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

Originally Posted by LeftHookToTheBody

I think it is pure crap when people say Kostya was not the same when Hatton fought him. No one was saying that prior to the fight. Kostya was top 3 pound for pound in most ratings. It is revisionist history to diminish him in the Hatton fight as a close to shot fighter. Hatton was just better, and would have beaten a 28 year old Kostya as well. I've closely watch Kostya at a younger age, and he is not any better on skill level than he was against Hatton. Ricky simply had the style to beat him at any age.

I think even the most adamant Hatton fan would be hard pressed to agree with u there. Ricky won the fight, and had a great game plan no doubt, but ,ost will agree Kostya was better in 2000 than he was against Hatton. Name another power puncher who was just as good at 35 as he was at 30. Not many at all. Kostya is no exception.

You could argue Castillo was shot, becasue of his shocking performance against the guy who he fought in January and the same guy forget his name was awful in his next bout prior to the Hatton/Castillo fight.

But how the F*** can you say KT was shot?? The guy just blitzed Shambra Mitchell in three rounds 6 months earlier? KT was not shot, you dont go from totally dominating a guy and sparking him (Mitchell was the favourite for this fight) To being shot?? Thats utter crap.

I didnt say kostya was shot. i said he wsnt as good as 2000. Read the post.

Yeah third man, I could not agree more with all you said (Not sure about young Kostya chopping Hatton to defeat though,hard to tell)

But the three round demolition by Kostya was way way over hyped, Mitchell didn't turn up, he froze and me or you coulda beat him that night mate, and no disrespect meant to anyone, but he was bad, fair play to Kostya he did the job in hand, but he (Kostya) was deffo going thru the last days of being at the top...and as said at his age he was always gonna be caught up with ... sooner rather than later, but I was ringside that night and that was no shot fighter that Hatton fought,

Hatton brought the gun that shot him that night, Kostya fought himself to a standstill, he was goosed totally and I was so pleased to see him pulled out because he did not deserve to get knocked out by being a lamb to the slaughter,which was in the post for the next round,

And tho maybe not at his best, not any fighter coulda done what Hatton did... ask Mitchell, I had Hatton I think two rounds up when it was stopped, but honestly you felt what was coming a round or two before, for me a great win for Hatton, not a legendary win, but a great win....Thats one he's going for in December, personally I can not see that happening against Floyd, and with Floyd you can love him or hate him, but it dont make no difference to the fact that he is a bit special.

Looking back..... I gave Hatton way too much credit for defeating Kostya. Still a great win, but Hatton still needs that defining moment.... he's fighting Mayweather so he'll get his time in the spotlight soon. I don't think the ref will let him wrestle with Mayweather though.

Originally Posted by bambamdaddio

Yeah third man, I could not agree more with all you said (Not sure about young Kostya chopping Hatton to defeat though,hard to tell)

But the three round demolition by Kostya was way way over hyped, Mitchell didn't turn up, he froze and me or you coulda beat him that night mate, and no disrespect meant to anyone, but he was bad, fair play to Kostya he did the job in hand, but he (Kostya) was deffo going thru the last days of being at the top...and as said at his age he was always gonna be caught up with ... sooner rather than later, but I was ringside that night and that was no shot fighter that Hatton fought,

Hatton brought the gun that shot him that night, Kostya fought himself to a standstill, he was goosed totally and I was so pleased to see him pulled out because he did not deserve to get knocked out by being a lamb to the slaughter,which was in the post for the next round,

And tho maybe not at his best, not any fighter coulda done what Hatton did... ask Mitchell, I had Hatton I think two rounds up when it was stopped, but honestly you felt what was coming a round or two before, for me a great win for Hatton, not a legendary win, but a great win....Thats one he's going for in December, personally I can not see that happening against Floyd, and with Floyd you can love him or hate him, but it dont make no difference to the fact that he is a bit special.

Thanks for that, i guess that people have underestimated Hatton and they do so at their own peril.
Hatton is very good and he would have destroyed Mitchell much in the same way Tszyu did. Tszyu did extremely well against Hatton all things considered and i'm glad he hasn't comeback only to be beaten by a bum. Hatton will give Mayweather a much tougher fight than DLH did.