Ricky Hatton apparently making an annoucnment on future in 3 days

[AdamGB]

Because most 33 year old athletes haven't ruined their bodies with crash dieting, cocaine and drink binges, copious ammounts of saturated fat, herpes and of course years of using his face to block punches.

He'll never be back at an elite level. Expect a pre Kosta type career culminating on a stoppage to the likes of Khan at best.

[Fenster]

Because most 33 year old athletes haven't ruined their bodies with crash dieting, cocaine and drink binges, copious ammounts of saturated fat, herpes and of course years of using his face to block punches.

He'll never be back at an elite level. Expect a pre Kosta type career culminating on a stoppage to the likes of Khan at best.

What evidence is there that Hatton's "bad living" has harmed him? Until he comes back we will not know. Being out-of-shape during his career never effected him. In fact the penultimate fight of his career was one of his very best.

Just recently we've seen Eric Morales retire, spend three years as a big fat guy, return in a weight-class 20 pounds north of his best, yet hold his own in world-class.

33 seems pretty old when you're 23 but trust me it ain't.

I'd bet anything Hatton would take qutting on his school against Powderpuff Paulie, let alone Khan in a literally ginormous British fight, as his lasting ring memory rather than the current one - humiliated, lying flat on his back unconcious.

[erics44]

Because most 33 year old athletes haven't ruined their bodies with crash dieting, cocaine and drink binges, copious ammounts of saturated fat, herpes and of course years of using his face to block punches.

He'll never be back at an elite level. Expect a pre Kosta type career culminating on a stoppage to the likes of Khan at best.

What evidence is there that Hatton's "bad living" has harmed him? Until he comes back we will not know. Being out-of-shape during his career never effected him. In fact the penultimate fight of his career was one of his very best.

Just recently we've seen Eric Morales retire, spend three years as a big fat guy, return in a weight-class 20 pounds north of his best, yet hold his own in world-class.

33 seems pretty old when you're 23 but trust me it ain't.

I'd bet anything Hatton would take qutting on his school against Powderpuff Paulie, let alone Khan in a literally ginormous British fight, as his lasting ring memory rather than the current one - humiliated, lying flat on his back unconcious.

im 38 and im prime

i reckon the 38 year old me would take the 23 year old me

and i count coz im ace

CUMMON RICKY

[Spicoli]

I'd rather see a guy come back after a couple years off of a brutal ko rather than to carry on like a walking corpes sponging punches having never stepped away in the first place. Style wise he's never been hard to solve but no doubt he'll draw and commit fully with what's left be it good or bad, and I think it'll be crystal clear what that is in first fight back. If that's what the announcment is and not that he's opening a fast food chain or something. Who knows.

[donnydarkoIRL]

[

What evidence is there that Hatton's "bad living" has harmed him? Until he comes back we will not know. Being out-of-shape during his career never effected him. In fact the penultimate fight of his career was one of his very best.

Just recently we've seen Eric Morales retire, spend three years as a big fat guy, return in a weight-class 20 pounds north of his best, yet hold his own in world-class.

33 seems pretty old when you're 23 but trust me it ain't.

I'd bet anything Hatton would take qutting on his school against Powderpuff Paulie, let alone Khan in a literally ginormous British fight, as his lasting ring memory rather than the current one - humiliated, lying flat on his back unconcious.

Its actually what happened before he retired that concerns me. Lazcano wasn't regarded as a puncher and he seriously hurt Ricky- despite the fact that a few short years previous he had taken some mammoth punches from Tszyu.

I understand entirely what you are saying though.

[Kirkland Laing]

He'll never make 140 and he won't beat any belt-holding welterweight including Paulie. Hopefully he fights somebody vaguely credible, manages a win and decides to retire on a win.

You can guarantee if he does come back that the main reason he gives for doing so is "I just couldn't face ending my career on that horrible sparking." Also expect to hear "I've got the hunger back." Good luck to him anyway, I'll watch his comeback if it happens but I'll laugh if he gets flattened again.

[Kirkland Laing]

That's what he looked like after the Lazcano fight in 2008. Yeah.

[Fenster]

Hatton was knocked down and "out on his feet" against Eamonn Magee and Vince Phillips 10-years-ago. Neither of those are considered the puncher Kostya was either. I don't think there's serious evidence that Hatton was hurt against Lazcano due to him fading as a fighter.

His only horrifying KO loss was to Pac (an all-time great, fearsome puncher). Dozens and dozens of fighters carry on after terrible losses. Just because Hatton is famous doesn't mean he should be prevented from this.

Look at guys like DeMarcus Corley? He's suffered about half-a-dozen KO losses and about 50 knockdowns yet pulled off TWO upset victories this year. He's much older than Hatton and boxed well over a hundred more rounds.

If Hatton wants to comeback - so be it.

[THE PHILOSOPHER]

Hatton was knocked down and "out on his feet" against Eamonn Magee and Vince Phillips 10-years-ago. Neither of those are considered the puncher Kostya was either. I don't think there's serious evidence that Hatton was hurt against Lazcano due to him fading as a fighter.

If Hatton wants to comeback - so be it.

Magee was underrated anyway imo, a slick southpaw made of iron! Tricky fighter for anyone...

Hatton got back up and boxed a very intelligent fight.

I don't remember phillips knocking him down, i remember hatton busting vince up big style!

Hattons chin was rock solid. I believe that his punch resistance has deteriorated as a result of lifestyle. If you doubt his chin in his prime, take a look at the Tszyu fight. Hatton walked through some absolute bombs. Castillo and collazo landed too.

[Fenster]

Hatton was knocked down and "out on his feet" against Eamonn Magee and Vince Phillips 10-years-ago. Neither of those are considered the puncher Kostya was either. I don't think there's serious evidence that Hatton was hurt against Lazcano due to him fading as a fighter.

If Hatton wants to comeback - so be it.

Magee was underrated anyway imo, a slick southpaw made of iron! Tricky fighter for anyone...

Hatton got back up and boxed a very intelligent fight.

I don't remember phillips knocking him down, i remember hatton busting vince up big style!

Hattons chin was rock solid. I believe that his punch resistance has deteriorated as a result of lifestyle. If you doubt his chin in his prime, take a look at the Tszyu fight. Hatton walked through some absolute bombs. Castillo and collazo landed too.

Phillips didn't put Hatton down he seriously rocked him though. Hatton admitted it afterwards, saying - he didn't know whether he was in Manchester or Vegas at that point.

Magee and Philips were before Kostya. Lazcano and Collazo hurt him after Kostya. Urango hurt him to the body.

There's no evidence Hatton was ever knocked out/hurt through wear-and-tear. He's been hurt numerous times during his entire career.

[Hulk]

Hatton was knocked down and "out on his feet" against Eamonn Magee and Vince Phillips 10-years-ago. Neither of those are considered the puncher Kostya was either. I don't think there's serious evidence that Hatton was hurt against Lazcano due to him fading as a fighter.

His only horrifying KO loss was to Pac (an all-time great, fearsome puncher). Dozens and dozens of fighters carry on after terrible losses. Just because Hatton is famous doesn't mean he should be prevented from this.

Look at guys like DeMarcus Corley? He's suffered about half-a-dozen KO losses and about 50 knockdowns yet pulled off TWO upset victories this year. He's much older than Hatton and boxed well over a hundred more rounds.

If Hatton wants to comeback - so be it.

I agree, great example with Corley or Nate Campbell for that matter.

I don't get this panic and outrage over a possible Hatton comeback.

He's not coming back for a rematch with Pacqauio or to fight Canelo or some other suicide mission.

[captainanddew]

Hatton was knocked down and "out on his feet" against Eamonn Magee and Vince Phillips 10-years-ago. Neither of those are considered the puncher Kostya was either. I don't think there's serious evidence that Hatton was hurt against Lazcano due to him fading as a fighter.

His only horrifying KO loss was to Pac (an all-time great, fearsome puncher). Dozens and dozens of fighters carry on after terrible losses. Just because Hatton is famous doesn't mean he should be prevented from this.

Look at guys like DeMarcus Corley? He's suffered about half-a-dozen KO losses and about 50 knockdowns yet pulled off TWO upset victories this year. He's much older than Hatton and boxed well over a hundred more rounds.

If Hatton wants to comeback - so be it.

I agree, great example with Corley or Nate Campbell for that matter.

I don't get this panic and outrage over a possible Hatton comeback.

He's not coming back for a rematch with Pacqauio or to fight Canelo or some other suicide mission.

that is a reasonable assumption and I usually agree with you, but boxers aren't reasonable men. After his tuneup fight he'll probably go for an opponent that is too tough. At this point, I'd rather he just stay retired. But if he were to take a beating he isn't in the condition of guys like Jones Jr. or Toney, that are risking their long-term health to such a high degree (all boxers risk long-term health just not to degree that those faded guys are).

[Bobthepen]

Because most 33 year old athletes haven't ruined their bodies with crash dieting, cocaine and drink binges, copious ammounts of saturated fat, herpes and of course years of using his face to block punches.

He'll never be back at an elite level. Expect a pre Kosta type career culminating on a stoppage to the likes of Khan at best.

What evidence is there that Hatton's "bad living" has harmed him? Until he comes back we will not know. Being out-of-shape during his career never effected him. In fact the penultimate fight of his career was one of his very best.

Just recently we've seen Eric Morales retire, spend three years as a big fat guy, return in a weight-class 20 pounds north of his best, yet hold his own in world-class.

33 seems pretty old when you're 23 but trust me it ain't.

I'd bet anything Hatton would take qutting on his school against Powderpuff Paulie, let alone Khan in a literally ginormous British fight, as his lasting ring memory rather than the current one - humiliated, lying flat on his back unconcious.

The problem is Hatton's relentless pressure brawling style is a young man's fight. Little purpose in comparing Hatton to Morales, as Eric could box beautifully when he wanted to, and showed his skills against much bigger, stronger fighters like Maidana.

Hatton used to cut weight like hell to make 140lbs, often coming in a stone heavier than that on fight night. Fighters in their thirties rarely do this because the body just quits after years of doing this. H e could not do that now and have anything like the engine he had a decade ago.

The only option for Hatton would be to come in way North of 140lbs, which as we know is not where his strengths lie because his game is being bigger and stronger than his opponent.

[Fenster]

Because most 33 year old athletes haven't ruined their bodies with crash dieting, cocaine and drink binges, copious ammounts of saturated fat, herpes and of course years of using his face to block punches.

He'll never be back at an elite level. Expect a pre Kosta type career culminating on a stoppage to the likes of Khan at best.

What evidence is there that Hatton's "bad living" has harmed him? Until he comes back we will not know. Being out-of-shape during his career never effected him. In fact the penultimate fight of his career was one of his very best.

Just recently we've seen Eric Morales retire, spend three years as a big fat guy, return in a weight-class 20 pounds north of his best, yet hold his own in world-class.

33 seems pretty old when you're 23 but trust me it ain't.

I'd bet anything Hatton would take qutting on his school against Powderpuff Paulie, let alone Khan in a literally ginormous British fight, as his lasting ring memory rather than the current one - humiliated, lying flat on his back unconcious.

The problem is Hatton's relentless pressure brawling style is a young man's fight. Little purpose in comparing Hatton to Morales, as Eric could box beautifully when he wanted to, and showed his skills against much bigger, stronger fighters like Maidana.

Hatton used to cut weight like hell to make 140lbs, often coming in a stone heavier than that on fight night. Fighters in their thirties rarely do this because the body just quits after years of doing this. H e could not do that now and have anything like the engine he had a decade ago.

The only option for Hatton would be to come in way North of 140lbs, which as we know is not where his strengths lie because his game is being bigger and stronger than his opponent.

I understand that.

However, there are literally hundreds of fighters older, shitter and thicker than Hatton that have took much more punishment. Virtually nobody cares about them or believes they don't have a right to box.

Hatton is not some novice chancer trying his arm at boxing, amazing as it seems to some people, he was actually pretty fucking good at this fighting lark.

If Hatton is not fit to box then half the current fighters holding a license aren't either.

[Bobthepen]

Because most 33 year old athletes haven't ruined their bodies with crash dieting, cocaine and drink binges, copious ammounts of saturated fat, herpes and of course years of using his face to block punches.

He'll never be back at an elite level. Expect a pre Kosta type career culminating on a stoppage to the likes of Khan at best.

What evidence is there that Hatton's "bad living" has harmed him? Until he comes back we will not know. Being out-of-shape during his career never effected him. In fact the penultimate fight of his career was one of his very best.

Just recently we've seen Eric Morales retire, spend three years as a big fat guy, return in a weight-class 20 pounds north of his best, yet hold his own in world-class.

33 seems pretty old when you're 23 but trust me it ain't.

I'd bet anything Hatton would take qutting on his school against Powderpuff Paulie, let alone Khan in a literally ginormous British fight, as his lasting ring memory rather than the current one - humiliated, lying flat on his back unconcious.

The problem is Hatton's relentless pressure brawling style is a young man's fight. Little purpose in comparing Hatton to Morales, as Eric could box beautifully when he wanted to, and showed his skills against much bigger, stronger fighters like Maidana.

Hatton used to cut weight like hell to make 140lbs, often coming in a stone heavier than that on fight night. Fighters in their thirties rarely do this because the body just quits after years of doing this. H e could not do that now and have anything like the engine he had a decade ago.

The only option for Hatton would be to come in way North of 140lbs, which as we know is not where his strengths lie because his game is being bigger and stronger than his opponent.

I understand that.

However, there are literally hundreds of fighters older, shitter and thicker than Hatton that have took much more punishment. Virtually nobody cares about them or believes they don't have a right to box.

Hatton is not some novice chancer trying his arm at boxing, amazing as it seems to some people, he was actually pretty fucking good at this fighting lark.

If Hatton is not fit to box then half the current fighters holding a license aren't either.

I agree, Hatton would still be better than, say RJJ or Toney, but it is beside the point.

The division has more talent than when he ruled it, and if Hatton believes he can come back and still bow out as a world champion he took more blows to the head than I thought.

I'd have no problem with a bout against another faded fighter for a spot of attention and some beer tokens, I just hope he doesn't go on a Holyfield-esque delusional crusade.