Quote Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)
Quote 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.