Hattons Prime - The myth

[BIG H]

That's what I thought. Then I guess we'll agree to disagree.<br />
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Yes we do, because if fighting for world titles against the world's best doesn't make you world class, then what class does it make you?

[TitoFan]

My own definition of "world-class" is elite, among the world's best. Maybe on the p4p list. Hatton was none of the above. There's been plenty of fighters that have fought for world titles under less than deserving circumstances. We all know that. Hatton's list of opponents does not impress me. And I'm not alone in my opinion, either. I just happen to voice mine.

[ono]

My own definition of "world-class" is elite, among the world's best. Maybe on the p4p list. Hatton was none of the above. There's been plenty of fighters that have fought for world titles under less than deserving circumstances. We all know that. Hatton's list of opponents does not impress me. And I'm not alone in my opinion, either. I just happen to voice mine.

He was amongst the world best considering he was 'the man' at 140. By definition, there was nobody better in the world at his weight class.

I'm pretty sure he also had a top ten p4p ranking with Ring Magazine. Might have even been top 5/6 after the Castillo win.

[Mr140]

Also Tito you say Cotto was way ahead of Hatton but he was never lienal champ in any division. He was never the man at lw, ww, and now lmw. He got close at ww but could not get to the top of the division.

[Fenster]

Cotto is definitely not world-class if Hatton isn't.

His best wins are an old Mosley and Judah. Mosley wasn't P4P rated at the time because he was past his best. Judah was annihilated by a Hatton VICTIM.

Common opponents? Pac, Maussa and Powderpuff Paulie. Both were knocked out by Pac. Both stopped Maussa. Cotto struggles for a PTS win against Powderpuff. Hatton smashes him to bits for a stoppage win.

Hatton rates ABOVE Cotto on all known formlines that are not prejudiced by nation bias. Fact.


(Hatton and Cotto NOT world-class )

[TitoFan]

Cotto is definitely not world-class if Hatton isn't.

His best wins are an old Mosley and Judah. Mosley wasn't P4P rated at the time because he was past his best. Judah was annihilated by a Hatton VICTIM.

Common opponents? Pac, Maussa and Powderpuff Paulie. Both were knocked out by Pac. Both stopped Maussa. Cotto struggles for a PTS win against Powderpuff. Hatton smashes him to bits for a stoppage win.

Hatton rates ABOVE Cotto on all known formlines that are not prejudiced by nation bias. Fact.


(Hatton and Cotto NOT world-class )

Are you serious?!? But of course you are... you're Fenster.
Let's take a gander, shall we? Let's see... let's list the opponents (worthy) of each.

Hatton (nothing of note prior to Tszyu)

Tszyu - (good victory, although one has to wonder what if the ref hadn't allowed the mauling)
Maussa - (junk)
Collazo - (most observers had Collazo winning... gift for Hatton)
Urango - (yeah, ok)
Castillo - (a weight-drained, pathetic shell of his former self)
Floyd - (boxing lesson for Hatton)
Lazcano - (yeah, whatever)
Paulie - (good, credible opponent)
PAC - (need we go there?)

Cotto

Cesar Bazan - (good, worthy opponent... tough fighter in the Mexican mold)
"Rocky" Martinez - (later to become world champ)
Maussa - (junk)
Lovemore Ndou - (one of many fighters Cotto faced that were not sought after by other fighters)
Abdullaev - (ditto)
Ricardo Torres - (feared puncher)
Paulie - (good, credible opponent)
Quintana - (world champion at the time, victory over Paul Williams)
Judah - (don't see Judah on Hatton's list)
Mosley - (couldn't have been too washed up... he later destroyed Margarito)
Margacheato - (cheating asshole)
Clottey - (nobody likes facing him either)
PAC - (yeah, he lost to him too)
Foreman - (Cotto goes up to 154)
Mayorga - (feared puncher, if a little over-the-hill)

.....and I forgot to mention Randall Bailey, who wasn't half bad. Or Corley, for that matter.

Now tell me, Fenster... do you still rate Ricky over Cotto?
Seems to me you're the biased one here.
FACT

[miron_lang]

on being world class : I think Hatton is world class.

he was between #8 and #10 Ring P4P prior to facing Pacquiao

he's in the level of Ray Mancini in terms of being effective as a professional fighter IMO.

[ono]

Cotto is definitely not world-class if Hatton isn't.

His best wins are an old Mosley and Judah. Mosley wasn't P4P rated at the time because he was past his best. Judah was annihilated by a Hatton VICTIM.

Common opponents? Pac, Maussa and Powderpuff Paulie. Both were knocked out by Pac. Both stopped Maussa. Cotto struggles for a PTS win against Powderpuff. Hatton smashes him to bits for a stoppage win.

Hatton rates ABOVE Cotto on all known formlines that are not prejudiced by nation bias. Fact.


(Hatton and Cotto NOT world-class )

Are you serious?!? But of course you are... you're Fenster.
Let's take a gander, shall we? Let's see... let's list the opponents (worthy) of each.

Hatton (nothing of note prior to Tszyu)

Tszyu - (good victory, although one has to wonder what if the ref hadn't allowed the mauling)
Maussa - (junk)
Collazo - (most observers had Collazo winning... gift for Hatton)
Urango - (yeah, ok)
Castillo - (a weight-drained, pathetic shell of his former self)
Floyd - (boxing lesson for Hatton)
Lazcano - (yeah, whatever)
Paulie - (good, credible opponent)
PAC - (need we go there?)

Cotto

Cesar Bazan - (good, worthy opponent... tough fighter in the Mexican mold)
"Rocky" Martinez - (later to become world champ)
Maussa - (junk)
Lovemore Ndou - (one of many fighters Cotto faced that were not sought after by other fighters)
Abdullaev - (ditto)
Ricardo Torres - (feared puncher)
Paulie - (good, credible opponent)
Quintana - (world champion at the time, victory over Paul Williams)
Judah - (don't see Judah on Hatton's list)
Mosley - (couldn't have been too washed up... he later destroyed Margarito)
Margacheato - (cheating asshole)
Clottey - (nobody likes facing him either)
PAC - (yeah, he lost to him too)
Foreman - (Cotto goes up to 154)
Mayorga - (feared puncher, if a little over-the-hill)

.....and I forgot to mention Randall Bailey, who wasn't half bad. Or Corley, for that matter.

Now tell me, Fenster... do you still rate Ricky over Cotto?
Seems to me you're the biased one here.
FACT

Cotto is/was more skilled than Hatton. But i agree with Fenster. Resume wise, you can't really split them.

Cotto has more solid wins but none of them match Hatton - Tszyu. I think people's perception on how Hatton beat Tszyu has changed over time. Both fighters were guilty of rough-housing.

Cotto has wasted too much time (at his peak) figting guys like Jennings, Urkal and Gomez. He's also been close to being ko'd by supposedly lesser fighters (Corley, Torres). Of course Cotto is still active so he time on his side, but i don't see how you can really seperate their resumes.

[Taffturner]

Sorry but surley hatton and cotto are BOTH world class?!? They both fought decent top oppositon, hav been world champs and only lost to top fighters! In not sayin there hall of famers but they were defo world class!

[p4pking]

Of course they were both world class. For TitoFan to admit that a fighter who isn't Puerto Rican is on par with one that is the former would need to in fact be much better, I suspect.