If Hatton had not blown up in weight between fights...

[BIG H]

...would his career have been any different/better? I say 'Yes' and 'No'.

I still think he would've lost to PBF and Pac, but maybe not so badly and therefore may still have enough to come back and be competitive at 140.

Looking at the state of him now and knowing the way he has treated his body throughout his career, I can't see him coming back - hope he doesn't!

Thoughts?

[Howlin Mad Missy]

yes he would have still lost, he possibly would have faired better, you can't be a pro athlete for 8/16weeks a year then burger Barry for the rest without it having an effect.

[Memphis]

Burger Barry

[Howlin Mad Missy]

It's £1.50!!

[Fenster]

I think Hatton showed all that "living the life" stuff to be entirely down to the individual.

He showed he was able to be a fat pisshead but totally dedicate himself to boxing/training/work when it was needed. Most that don't "live the life" their hearts probably not really in the boxing. Hatton's obviously was, so great career.

[blegit]

This is a very good topic that needs addressed. I think people who think it didn't matter are only looking at his success. No one is perfect but anybody who is human can always be better at something they do. The goal is to minimize that gap. Shedding that much weight that many times is never not bad. That is inarguable. How Hatton showed up doesn't excuse the fact that he could be better. Hatton was/is a good boxer who was great for how he treated his body. Actually, Hatton did exceptionally well considering the lengthy period of time he would blow up to the 170s in between fights. No trainer would want to or allow their fighter do this for more than once or twice a career. 30 something pounds for a small guy to drop is asking for danger. BHop is a very good example of what usually happens when a fighter absolutely takes care of himself in between fights. Hopkins doesn't drink, party, let his weight get up there, or break from the gym for more than a week. Mayorga would drink and smoke throughout the year but he became a champ. Can anyone really say that he wouldn't have been better had he quit that lifestyle? Your body is going to react to everything you put into it. But it doesn't mean you won't have success it just means that you could be better than you allow yourself to. I know boxers who are drunks/drug users who beat up their sparring partners everytime out. Antonio Tarver was on crack all the way up to the first few fights of his career. Hatton probably would've lost to both Pac and PBF because of technical flaws but he would've gave both, especially PBF, more trouble and been more durable. Even though it seems obvious it should be said. Hatton would've been a significantly better equipped fighter had he took better care of his body.

[BIG H]

This is a very good topic that needs addressed. I think people who think it didn't matter are only looking at his success. No one is perfect but anybody who is human can always be better at something they do. The goal is to minimize that gap. Hatton was/is a good boxer who was great for how he treated his body. Actually, Hatton did exceptionally well considering the lengthy period of time he would blow up to the 170s in between fights. No trainer would want to or allow their fighter do this for more than once or twice a career. 30 something pounds for a small guy to drop is asking for danger. BHop is a very good example of what usually happens when a fighter absolutely takes care of himself in between fights. Hopkins doesn't drink, party, let his weight get up there, or break from the gym for more than a week. Hatton probably would've lost to both Pac and PBF because of technical flaws but he would've gave both, especially PBF, more trouble and been more durable. Even though it seems obvious it should be said. Hatton would've been a significantly better equipped fighter had he took better care of his body.

Agree with everything you said.

I also actually think Hatton's talent is underestimated. I'm not saying he was ever going to be an ATG, but it's easy now for people to say that he was just a holder/dirty fighter etc, but that is doing him a disservice. I watched his whole career and he had huge talent and didn't always fight how he did against Tszyu (which worked and was the right tactic) His speed, movement and body punching were awesome in his pomp imo.

[Fenster]

This is a very good topic that needs addressed. I think people who think it didn't matter are only looking at his success. No one is perfect but anybody who is human can always be better at something they do. The goal is to minimize that gap. Hatton was/is a good boxer who was great for how he treated his body. Actually, Hatton did exceptionally well considering the lengthy period of time he would blow up to the 170s in between fights. No trainer would want to or allow their fighter do this for more than once or twice a career. 30 something pounds for a small guy to drop is asking for danger. BHop is a very good example of what usually happens when a fighter absolutely takes care of himself in between fights. Hopkins doesn't drink, party, let his weight get up there, or break from the gym for more than a week. Hatton probably would've lost to both Pac and PBF because of technical flaws but he would've gave both, especially PBF, more trouble and been more durable. Even though it seems obvious it should be said. Hatton would've been a significantly better equipped fighter had he took better care of his body.

And yet everyone agree's he would have still lost to Floyd and Pac. So living as a fat pisshead outside the ring didn't harm his career in the slightest.

What about the mental side? Some people may benefit from being able to totally seperate themselves from the sport and then give it 100% focus when needed?

[ono]

No i don't think it would have mattered.

By fight night he was always in tip top condition (maybe apart from Collazo fight) and he normally had 12 solid weeks of living like a monk behind him. At the end of the day so long as he had enough in the tank come fight night, what he does with the rest of his life is entirely up to him.

The only thing you could say is that maybe it led to him over-training during camp as he had to spend a good 3 - 4 weeks shifting the weight, before he could even properly start camp.

To be honest, he probably got much further than his talent should have allowed him.