Hatton Hating!!!

[ono]

After reading through various posts about last nights fight i feel i have to respond probably on behalf of most Hatton fans and also the more sensible posters on this site (wacko, el gamo etc...)

The thing is if certain fans have it in for a certain fighter (like VD does for hatton) no matter what that fighter does will ever be good enough. For every opponent he beats a hater can reel off names of about 10 fighters who he wouldn't beat. This even happens to the very best. Even floyd Mayweather gets this treatment from haters. Yup, i said it...Mayweather is the very best which is hard for me to say because i am, as most of you all know a massive hatton fan.

What Hatton achieved last night was fantastic. Purely from a Hatton fan's point of view and not a casual american fans point of view, that performance was even smarter than the performance in the Kostya Tszyu fight. He looked superb early on. Late on became irrelevant because Urango needed a stoppage. So Hatton fought extremely smart by getting his lead shot off before tying Urango up. The ref would break them and Hatton would again land his lead shot and tie Urango up. There was simply no need for Hatton to engage in any type of brawl especially with a guy who wouldn't look out of place at Super Middleweight. This guy looked even bigger than Collazo. Much bigger.

Maybe i am blinded because for me any fight with Hatton in it is very exciting.
This leads me to the point i am trying to make. Hatton again was in a no win situation last night. If he knocked him out Urango would be passed off as a bum. If he brawled he would probably not come out on top against a guy of that size. It felt as tho hatton would have to beat Urango at his own game for it to be recognised as a good performance. If anyone can find me a guy at 140 who would outbomb Urango without ending up on their arse i will gladly shut up.

What he did last night was brilliant for british boxing. What some people need to realise is what an achievement it is going over to America to challenge for World Titles. It's difficult. Look how Corley faired when he came over to the UK in June. He struggled. Tszyu came over to fight Ricky Hatton and struggled. Lacy got humiliated by calzaghe. It's a big ask. He was far more impressive than Castillo was and he was far more impressive than any 'World Class' foreigners that have come over here to challenge any of our major champions in the last few years.

So if anyone wants to be critical, try to keep it real. Complain about his style or point out a technical flaw by all means, but please, please, please don't reel off a list of guys at 140 who would beat him, because our Ricky will find a way to beat them all.

Well done Ricky.

[killersheep]

The problem is that last nights fight he was the heavy favorite and the win didn't prove anything except he is now willing to tone down and coast.

I can understand where your coming from, we all have our favorites that we will defend above all else, the problem is, come June if the Castillo and Hatton fight is the same fights from last night it will be very boring for everyone, I like to see good match-ups be it tacticle or brawling. Both guys put out lackluster performances against fighters that BOTH guys were expected to destroy.

You know where I stand I am not a Hatton fan, but his pre-HBO fights we very exciting to watch, where would you stand on Hatton if you had only seen the Collazo and Urango fights? Would you still be as avid of a fan?

It's kind of a double edged thing, the same as what Mayweather is being critisized for.

[Memphis]

Unless there was a major problem (i.e the body shots broke his ribs) then I think the criticism he has got is fair enough. He went from boxing beautifully to hitting and grabbing......why?

There was a time in the fight also where Ricky bullied Urango to the ropes and started to rip into the body, probably the one and only time he really attacked downstairs. Yet he was unable to maintain any of his early rhythm into the second half of the fight.

For me the sudden panic in the corner and the distress signals given off by Haton would indicate that something went wrong in there. If it was a gruelling fight I can understand him taking the last couple of rounds off but it was nothign like that, he was always in control and shouldnt have needed to apply the tactics that he did.

I gather that Hatton pretty much conceded to Merchant that the between fights balloning has got to stop? Someone correct me if Ive heard wrong on that score.

If Ricky simply started to run out of gas in there in a fight where he didnt expend an awfull amount of energy then questions need to be answered.

[OumaFan]

Well every forum has some idiots. And I'm sure some people on here just don't like him cause he's British, I'm not sure why but some people just hate Calzaghe and Hatton.

But some people just don't like his style. And to be honest, I used to be a fan, not a huge fan but a fan, but I'm starting to lose some interest. His style has just gotten uglier and uglier. He's just not fun to watch anymore IMO. He just holds too much. The first half of the fight was fine but the second half was a snooze. He's just not as exciting as he was when he was coming up, before the Tsyzu fight, I guess the opposition getting tougher has lead to him having a scrappier style. I don't hate him but I don't really like watching him fight that much, not nearly as much as I used too.

[ono]

The problem is that last nights fight he was the heavy favorite and the win didn't prove anything except he is now willing to tone down and coast.

I can understand where your coming from, we all have our favorites that we will defend above all else, the problem is, come June if the Castillo and Hatton fight is the same fights from last night it will be very boring for everyone, I like to see good match-ups be it tacticle or brawling. Both guys put out lackluster performances against fighters that BOTH guys were expected to destroy.

You know where I stand I am not a Hatton fan, but his pre-HBO fights we very exciting to watch, where would you stand on Hatton if you had only seen the Collazo and Urango fights? Would you still be as avid of a fan?

It's kind of a double edged thing, the same as what Mayweather is being critisized for.

You have to remember his pre HBO fights were mostly in the UK in massive sold out venues. The crowd help to generate the excitement. It's the occasion that's exciting. A fight in a ballroom is not exactly the MEN. Get hatton in the Thomas and Mack centre and you will see an exciting fight.

Also bear in mind, a fight where you have to systematically break down a fighter, will not really be considered amazingly exciting especially when the opponent is generally unheard of but built like a brick shithouse.

[killersheep]

The problem is that last nights fight he was the heavy favorite and the win didn't prove anything except he is now willing to tone down and coast.

I can understand where your coming from, we all have our favorites that we will defend above all else, the problem is, come June if the Castillo and Hatton fight is the same fights from last night it will be very boring for everyone, I like to see good match-ups be it tacticle or brawling. Both guys put out lackluster performances against fighters that BOTH guys were expected to destroy.

You know where I stand I am not a Hatton fan, but his pre-HBO fights we very exciting to watch, where would you stand on Hatton if you had only seen the Collazo and Urango fights? Would you still be as avid of a fan?

It's kind of a double edged thing, the same as what Mayweather is being critisized for.

You have to remember his pre HBO fights were mostly in the UK in massive sold out venues. The crowd help to generate the excitement. It's the occasion that's exciting. A fight in a ballroom is not exactly the MEN. Get hatton in the Thomas and Mack centre and you will see an exciting fight.

Also bear in mind, a fight where you have to systematically break down a fighter, will not really be considered amazingly exciting especially when the opponent is generally unheard of but built like a brick shithouse.

Urango's build is not a good one for a boxer, when you have body fat that's that low you tire more easily and you're slower. But it comes back to the question has Ricky done enough OUTSIDE of the UK to generate an international following? Considering a majority of the WORLD have only seen Hatton Collazo and Hatton Urango?

[ono]

The problem is that last nights fight he was the heavy favorite and the win didn't prove anything except he is now willing to tone down and coast.

I can understand where your coming from, we all have our favorites that we will defend above all else, the problem is, come June if the Castillo and Hatton fight is the same fights from last night it will be very boring for everyone, I like to see good match-ups be it tacticle or brawling. Both guys put out lackluster performances against fighters that BOTH guys were expected to destroy.

You know where I stand I am not a Hatton fan, but his pre-HBO fights we very exciting to watch, where would you stand on Hatton if you had only seen the Collazo and Urango fights? Would you still be as avid of a fan?

It's kind of a double edged thing, the same as what Mayweather is being critisized for.

You have to remember his pre HBO fights were mostly in the UK in massive sold out venues. The crowd help to generate the excitement. It's the occasion that's exciting. A fight in a ballroom is not exactly the MEN. Get hatton in the Thomas and Mack centre and you will see an exciting fight.

Also bear in mind, a fight where you have to systematically break down a fighter, will not really be considered amazingly exciting especially when the opponent is generally unheard of but built like a brick shithouse.

Urango's build is not a good one for a boxer, when you have body fat that's that low you tire more easily and you're slower. But it comes back to the question has Ricky done enough OUTSIDE of the UK to generate an international following? Considering a majority of the WORLD have only seen Hatton Collazo and Hatton Urango?

No not at the minute but thats because of the opposition picked. I can't think of many fighters between 140 and 147 who would look fantastic against Collazo and Urango. Against castillo, he will be exciting.

Personally a worldwide following is irrelevant to me. I'd much sooner him get the W than get beaten looking good....which is what could happen against Castillo.

Ultimately Hatton has gone over to America for the level of opposition, titles, the money and to top the bill at the famous venues. He's in the process of achieveing this so if he comes out on top in 'the fight of the year' then i'm sure that would be a massive bonus for him. But winning must remain a priority.....for me anyway

[Preme]

After reading through various posts about last nights fight i feel i have to respond probably on behalf of most Hatton fans and also the more sensible posters on this site (wacko, el gamo etc...)

The thing is if certain fans have it in for a certain fighter (like VD does for hatton) no matter what that fighter does will ever be good enough. For every opponent he beats a hater can reel off names of about 10 fighters who he wouldn't beat. This even happens to the very best. Even floyd Mayweather gets this treatment from haters. Yup, i said it...Mayweather is the very best which is hard for me to say because i am, as most of you all know a massive hatton fan.

What Hatton achieved last night was fantastic. Purely from a Hatton fan's point of view and not a casual american fans point of view, that performance was even smarter than the performance in the Kostya Tszyu fight. He looked superb early on. Late on became irrelevant because Urango needed a stoppage. So Hatton fought extremely smart by getting his lead shot off before tying Urango up. The ref would break them and Hatton would again land his lead shot and tie Urango up. There was simply no need for Hatton to engage in any type of brawl especially with a guy who wouldn't look out of place at Super Middleweight. This guy looked even bigger than Collazo. Much bigger.

Maybe i am blinded because for me any fight with Hatton in it is very exciting.
This leads me to the point i am trying to make. Hatton again was in a no win situation last night. If he knocked him out Urango would be passed off as a bum. If he brawled he would probably not come out on top against a guy of that size. It felt as tho hatton would have to beat Urango at his own game for it to be recognised as a good performance. If anyone can find me a guy at 140 who would outbomb Urango without ending up on their a*** i will gladly shut up.

What he did last night was brilliant for british boxing. What some people need to realise is what an achievement it is going over to America to challenge for World Titles. It's difficult. Look how Corley faired when he came over to the UK in June. He struggled. Tszyu came over to fight Ricky Hatton and struggled. Lacy got humiliated by calzaghe. It's a big ask. He was far more impressive than Castillo was and he was far more impressive than any 'World Class' foreigners that have come over here to challenge any of our major champions in the last few years.

So if anyone wants to be critical, try to keep it real. Complain about his style or point out a technical flaw by all means, but please, please, please don't reel off a list of guys at 140 who would beat him, because our Ricky will find a way to beat them all.

Well done Ricky.

I think the majority of critticism hatton has gotten from this forum is more than fair. No fighter is flawless, but for a 'P4P' fighter the amount of things he needs to improve on are ridiculous!

His outside life: This has been talked about to death, but it doesn't change the fact that his between fight life style is ridiculous, its not healthy and is clearly hurting his in ring performances.

Tactics/Training: There was no jab visible last night, Ricky was at a 5" reach dissatvantage but his hand speed and over all quality was more than enough for him to establish a good jab to brake his way in for some combos and flurry's and move back out. He was leading with hooks and crosses and following up with pointless clinches. even though he was the smaller man, that fight in the first half should of been totally on the outside, with good jabs braking him down. He went off at a very high pace, and by the start of round 6 look like his tank was already half empty.

Billy Graham: Needs to get shot of him! The pointless clinches, lack of a jab, hands wide open, chin high up waiting to be smashed and lack of stamina and body durability all in one fighter are totally unacceptable at the level he wants to fight at! If anything Ricky has gotten worse as a fighter since fight Tszyu, when he should of gotten a hell of allot better.

Its only natural for people to compare him, or list fighter who right now will give him trouble, or even beat him when Ricky is talking about fighting Castillo and mayweather next. He has got allot of talent, natural speed and heart to beat almost anyone at 140 and 147, but they way he is going right now, he wont get far...

Just my opinion of course

[Memphis]

Billy Graham: Needs to get shot of him! The pointless clinches, lack of a jab, hands wide open, chin high up waiting to be smashed and lack of stamina and body durability all in one fighter are totally unacceptable at the level he wants to fight at! If anything Ricky has gotten worse as a fighter since fight Tszyu, when he should of gotten a hell of allot better.

As much as I cant see it happening you may have a point. If Ricky fights more regularly in 07 and stays that bit closer to his fighting weight between fights, we should be looking to see a big improvement in some of his technical work. If Hatton spends less time melting the fat off and more time on technique and there still is no sign of improvement, maybe its time for a change?

[Kev]

The problem is that last nights fight he was the heavy favorite and the win didn't prove anything except he is now willing to tone down and coast.

I can understand where your coming from, we all have our favorites that we will defend above all else, the problem is, come June if the Castillo and Hatton fight is the same fights from last night it will be very boring for everyone, I like to see good match-ups be it tacticle or brawling. Both guys put out lackluster performances against fighters that BOTH guys were expected to destroy.

You know where I stand I am not a Hatton fan, but his pre-HBO fights we very exciting to watch, where would you stand on Hatton if you had only seen the Collazo and Urango fights? Would you still be as avid of a fan?

It's kind of a double edged thing, the same as what Mayweather is being critisized for.

You have to remember his pre HBO fights were mostly in the UK in massive sold out venues. The crowd help to generate the excitement. It's the occasion that's exciting. A fight in a ballroom is not exactly the MEN. Get hatton in the Thomas and Mack centre and you will see an exciting fight.

Also bear in mind, a fight where you have to systematically break down a fighter, will not really be considered amazingly exciting especially when the opponent is generally unheard of but built like a brick shithouse.

I completely agree with you on this, the venue and the crowd makes a BIG difference to a fight. I remember watching the Bernard Dunne vs Esham Pickering fight late last year and the atmosphere was just intense, far and away the best atmosphere for any fight of 2006 imo. It made that fight absolutely awesome, I've watched it 3 times now and for a full 12 rounder that says a lot.

I do find though that on the whole American fights have far less atmosphere than most British ones. I don't know if it's the venues or the Armeican crowd but you never get an American fight that you could describe as passionate.

All the most atmospheric fights I've seen seem mostly to take place in Britain or South America. The Valero Mosquera fight being another example, a real cauldron with intense fans throwing paper cups at Valero etc, a proper atmosphere!

[ono]

CC back Bilbo.

The atmosphere does count for a lot. It can be the difference between a good fight and a great fight. In the UK the fans get behind their fighter. Their support for their fighter is unconditional.

In the U.S. the crowd don't seem to stay loyal to any one particular fighter (maybe Gatti, but he's canadian). You hear cheers everytime either fighter puts together a decent combo. I regulalrly see comments such as ' i started off cheering for fighter A but as the fight wore on i edged more towards fighter B'

So because there is no house fighter to begin with, the atmosphere seems to suffer. Casual Americans expect entertainment and don't seem to make any noise til something catches their eye, where as british fans create the same buzz and atmosphere that you would associate with football matches.
I imagine its so much easier to put on an exciting performance with all that energy around

[killersheep]

CC back Bilbo.

The atmosphere does count for a lot. It can be the difference between a good fight and a great fight. In the UK the fans get behind their fighter. Their support for their fighter is unconditional.

In the U.S. the crowd don't seem to stay loyal to any one particular fighter (maybe Gatti, but he's canadian). You hear cheers everytime either fighter puts together a decent combo. I regulalrly see comments such as ' i started off cheering for fighter A but as the fight wore on i edged more towards fighter B'

So because there is no house fighter to begin with, the atmosphere seems to suffer. Casual Americans expect entertainment and don't seem to make any noise til something catches their eye, where as british fans create the same buzz and atmosphere that you would associate with football matches.
I imagine its so much easier to put on an exciting performance with all that energy around

You are absolutely right, for me personally, I think it's more important to support great matches.
If a fighter does well, I give them their due credit. I try not to take sides, even though I am human
and can not help it. I also think that ticket prices in America have gotten out of control.

[sarahjane]

Look i loved hatton and i'm from the UK but i have the mentality to realise that in the fights since kostya he hasnt done anything that impressive? and last night was no exception, how someone can say what he did last night was amazing is beyond me. i was bored watching that, and watching him hold for 60% of the fight is not my idea of a good fight. they seem to find the crappiest title holders ever for hatton to fight.

Like Carlos Moussa.. in all fairness.. what decent fighter couldnt beat that guy? NOT impressive. to prove himself in my eyes he needs to fight one of the big boys like mayweather or de la hoya.. but as we know its never gonna happen.. even the hatton camp know he couldnt beat someone like that.

I feel bad not sticking by one of the only high profiled fighters we have over here but at the end of the day, if its crap its crap.. im not gonna just say how amazing he is cause he's english.

[Preme]

Look i loved hatton and i'm from the UK but i have the mentality to realise that in the fights since kostya he hasnt done anything that impressive? and last night was no exception, how someone can say what he did last night was amazing is beyond me. i was bored watching that, and watching him hold for 60% of the fight is not my idea of a good fight. they seem to find the crappiest title holders ever for hatton to fight.

Like Carlos Moussa.. in all fairness.. what decent fighter couldnt beat that guy? NOT impressive. to prove himself in my eyes he needs to fight one of the big boys like mayweather or de la hoya.. but as we know its never gonna happen.. even the hatton camp know he couldnt beat someone like that.

I feel bad not sticking by one of the only high profiled fighters we have over here but at the end of the day, if its crap its crap.. im not gonna just say how amazing he is cause he's english.

Vivian harris couldn't and we was pretty highly respected...

[Rotten Apple]

I think it is quite obvious that Hatton is on the downside. If you think about it, he has had over 40 fights. He has taken his share of punishment. He is human. The sad part about it, is that he has not had many big fights. The prime Hatton was wasted away fighting average fighters like Michael Stewart, Carlos Vilches, Aldo Rios and several more. Except for an old Kostya Tszyu. No elite fighters