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

[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.