Hatton was NEVER world-class. Hatton had a "perfect-storm" type of moment against Kostya Tszyu, and the snowball (hype) began rolling down the hill, gathering size and momentum as it rolled along. Hatton himself got caught up in it, and declared he was fighting for world's p4p both against Mayweather and against Pac, both of whom brought him back to his senses. (Well... in Pac's case, he actually got separated from his senses). In reality, had he earned both of those shots? Probably not.

Loving a fighter, and insisting he's world-class when he's not, are two completely different things. Nothing against Hatton the person, he was/is very engaging. He may have lost his humility somewhere along the line, but that's understandable when you've got an entire nation telling you you're the best in the world.