If hatton had an easier return to boxing

[El Kabong]

The only issue I have with Ricky Hatton as a boxing fan is the biggest compliment you could pay to a prize fighter....

I wanted to see him fight more.


Not that I wanted his career to continue to where he was mush mouthed and stuttering and senile, but I wanted to see him get the big all action bouts he could have had when he was still a contender/champion.

Fights like: Freitas, Corrales, Morales, MAB, JMM, Cotto, Gatti, Judah, Witter, Bradley, Khan, etc. I just think the guy had a good style to fight anyone, he had great fans who followed his every move, and every fight he had was an event. Now I am not saying he's the best of the best but he was a good blue collar fighter who gave 100% in the ring regardless of who was in the opposite corner.

[Master]

Hatton could have and should have taken an easier opponent (as should have Winky Wright when he did his come back) but only as a last farewell fight to the fans. Hatton was never a good welterweight when he was at his peak and he certainly would not have been after the Pac defeat.

[Bo-Bo24]

Hatton had been out the gym for years when he came back, coupled that with the drugs and booze he'd put into his body in that time and the previous punishment he'd taken there was no way he could get to a good level again. Even if he'd beaten Shechenko, I don't think he could of stayed in shape long term.

[Master]

So basically it was a good thing he lost, at least he knew he did not have it any more before he really got seriously hurt.

[Hulk]

Hatton could have and should have taken an easier opponent (as should have Winky Wright when he did his come back) but only as a last farewell fight to the fans. Hatton was never a good welterweight when he was at his peak and he certainly would not have been after the Pac defeat.

Would you agree someone like Curtis Woodhouse would have been ideal for the British title?

[ryanman]

Hatton could have and should have taken an easier opponent (as should have Winky Wright when he did his come back) but only as a last farewell fight to the fans. Hatton was never a good welterweight when he was at his peak and he certainly would not have been after the Pac defeat.

Would you agree someone like Curtis Woodhouse would have been ideal for the British title?

As much as we respect the British title, to go from Pacquiao in Vegas to Curtis Woodhouse for the British title would not be be a step that someone with the fighting pride of Hatton could contemplate, comeback fight or not.

[IamInuit]

The only issue I have with Ricky Hatton as a boxing fan is the biggest compliment you could pay to a prize fighter....

I wanted to see him fight more.


Not that I wanted his career to continue to where he was mush mouthed and stuttering and senile, but I wanted to see him get the big all action bouts he could have had when he was still a contender/champion.

Fights like: Freitas, Corrales, Morales, MAB, JMM, Cotto, Gatti, Judah, Witter, Bradley, Khan, etc. I just think the guy had a good style to fight anyone, he had great fans who followed his every move, and every fight he had was an event. Now I am not saying he's the best of the best but he was a good blue collar fighter who gave 100% in the ring regardless of who was in the opposite corner.

Kick ass post El. I have to look away at times in Ricky threads as he's one of my faves all time. He transcends eras for me. I cant help but read them. I remember driving into Whitehorse to a bar from my cabin to watch the Zu fight. I was the only guy in the entire bar cheering for the pale faced warrior. I'll never forget it.

The straw that broke the camels back for me was leaving Graham and for an instant forgetting where he came from.I say that because he was always on the edge of the cliff with his lifestyle and yoyo weight. Once hubris entered the equation it was over. Taking Sr on was the nail.

I don't think an easier route would have been palatable for Ricky or made a difference.

Again great post EL.