Hatton to fight on!!!!!

[Beanz]

I am a big Hitman fan but am perplexed by this kind of matchmaking. By moving up to Welterweight Ricky is going to be exposed to big hitters and after struggling to handle what were admittedly, quality clean shots from Pacquiao, is putting himself in the company of Mosley and Cotto who while not quite as fast and clever in throwing angled shots like Manny, can both deliver big bombs. I hope he can pull it off and maybe having a few less pounds to shed will improve his durability when entering the square circle. Who will train him? Lee Beard may be helpful but i feel Ricky needs more experience and quality alongside and someone who can engage with him psychologically. While not the being the silkiest boxer Hatton has been unfairly dismissed by many of his detractors as a one dimensional slugger. His technical repitory is somewhat better than that, all though recently his lack of natural head movement has left him dangerously exposed. His ability to cutt off the ring , fight on the inside and land accurate under the elbow body shots will need to be rediscovered in conjunction with a more measured stance, gloves high covering his face chin down. Leopards may not change their spots but if somebody can take the lion hearted desire that got him into the ring with FM and MP and channel that into concentration on improving and adapting his defence he probably has a couple of fights left to remind people of why he was IBF Light-Welterweight champion for so long.

Hatton obviously is now sturggling to make 140, as there is no other explanation as he always says 147 is not his division, Hatton has always been over rated. Like I have said before his boxing skills are not bad but at World Level they are very average, It's one thing looking like Surar Ray when your fighting Ben Tackie and Ray Olivera, Hatton is decent at what he does but he is one dimensional and easy to hit, the top boys will always have to much, absolute no point in making a comeback to have a crack at the big boys it will end in tears once again.

I agree. Although he is not the greatest boxer the world has ever seen he has been a great entertainer and ambassador for British boxing. My local team Plymouth Argyle are probably never going to win the European cup and may not even reach the Premiership but i will always support them through thick and thin. For me supporting Hatton is the same, he represents the ordinary guy who believed enough to work hard and give it a shot. "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp"(Browning).
He tried and fell short so hopefully he can end his career with one last belt even if it is not the most glamourous or credible measure of the division.