What will Hatton's legacy be?

[CFH]

I was reading another thread and saw a post by Lefty saying if he beats Malignaggi, "...his legacy will be set" or something similar. That got me to thinking about what exactly his legacy will be, and I couldn't really come up with a concrete answer.

My initial thought was that he'd go down as arguably a top 5 LWW, but the more I think about it the less sure I am that the majority of other people share that opinion.

So, assuming he beats Malignaggi, and maybe Bradley, how will Hatton be remembered?

[ICB]

I was reading another thread and saw a post by Lefty saying if he beats Malignaggi, "...his legacy will be set" or something similar. That got me to thinking about what exactly his legacy will be, and I couldn't really come up with a concrete answer.

My initial thought was that he'd go down as arguably a top 5 LWW, but the more I think about it the less sure I am that the majority of other people share that opinion.

So, assuming he beats Malignaggi, and maybe Bradley, how will Hatton be remembered?

I think you got it spot on really a top 5 LWW of all time, who's best win was against Kostya Tszyu, who was old and ring rusty but still a good fighter. And probably one of the best British fighters of all time aswell, i think he has had a good career personally but he shouldn't have called out Mayweather and should of stayed at LWW........

I think Hatton will always be remembered by the British fans even the non hardcore ones he has a massive fan base over here similar to how Bruno, Benn, did. Maybe not as much outside the UK but i still think he will be remembered by the American's because he has fought over there few times.

[CGM]

I Suppose he might have a legacy not unlike Barry McGuigan? Beat a long time champion who was probably on the downside. won a couple of inconsequential fights after that.

Top 5 LWW? Nah maybe top 10 though. Aside from all those who fought at LWW who would have kicked his ass (IMO of course), one should also consider those who leapfrogged from lightweight directly to welterweight as comparisons. Such as Mosely and Duran, among others. Otherwise a top all time LWW ranking really doesn't mean squat.

[THE THIRD MAN]

Hatton needs a real Marquee win against his name to cement his legacy.
Beating an old Tszyu isn't enough, he was totally outclassed against Mayweather and Hatton needs a win against a Pac or Marquez.
He blew his chance of fighting and beating Witter in what would have been the biggest fight in recent British history, so he will fight and beat Malignaggi who is well short of the 1st division. So where does that leave Hatton? Up shit creek without a paddle!

[killersheep]

Gotta give credit where credit is due, if he beats the Magic Man (which he should). He will be the best 140 lber of this era. I honestly think he will be obscure to casual American boxing fans in 5 years time, but will be remembered fondly by a majority of Mancunians and by far and large most casual boxing fans in the UK. Overall in the scheme of things at 140 a very good case could be made for having him at 3rd or 4th.

[THE THIRD MAN]

Gotta give credit where credit is due, if he beats the Magic Man (which he should). He will be the best 140 lber of this era. I honestly think he will be obscure to casual American boxing fans in 5 years time, but will be remembered fondly by a majority of Mancunians and by far and large most casual boxing fans in the UK. Overall in the scheme of things at 140 a very good case could be made for having him at 3rd or 4th.

Well put, if he unifies at 140lb in 2009 then i have him 4th behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. What worries me is his size, did you see him at ringside next to DLH at the Marquez V Casamayor fight? Looked like he cleaned house at McDonalds!! He must have been close to 160lb

[CGM]

Gotta give credit where credit is due, if he beats the Magic Man (which he should). He will be the best 140 lber of this era. I honestly think he will be obscure to casual American boxing fans in 5 years time, but will be remembered fondly by a majority of Mancunians and by far and large most casual boxing fans in the UK. Overall in the scheme of things at 140 a very good case could be made for having him at 3rd or 4th.

Well put, if he unifies at 140lb in 2009 then i have him 4th behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. What worries me is his size, did you see him at ringside next to DLH at the Marquez V Casamayor fight? Looked like he cleaned house at McDonalds!! He must have been close to 160lb

#4? Really? Here's a few other guys who won titles at LWW that you may wish to consider. You could argue that any one of this bunch could have more than held their own against Hatton at 140. Depends how you evaluate them I guess.

Oscar de la Hoya
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pernell Whitaker
Wilfred Benitez
Antonio Cervantes

[Trainer Monkey]

Impassable to say right now, we'll see when the roads run.
Right now he's an "almost"
But he could still change that