Quote Originally Posted by LEGION
Quote Originally Posted by NuthaPug
Quote Originally Posted by LEGION
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No one made fun of Baldomir or Gatti or Corrales after losing to Mayweather, but I'm sure all the little gum-bumpers will be overjoyed if Hatton loses and will keep talking for months about it. Hatton wouldn't get respect even if he does beat Floyd, as they'll say he cheated with his "wrestling",lol.

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No one expected either Baldomir or Gatti to beat Floyd; neither of them were undefeated. The comparison fails. With Hatton-Mayweather we have two undefeated champions facing each other. One will take the other down and diminish him. Neither Baldomir nor Gatti were diminished by losing to Floyd as they didn't come in on the same basis that Ricky does.

And you're absolutely wrong. If Hatton manages to beat Floyd, he'll get loads of respect - if he fights way dirty he'll get called on it, but there is a ref in the ring. No matter how Hatton manages to beat Floyd, he'll get a W and hand Floyd his first L and no matter what any detractors say (there are always those that will talk trash but let's not make them the mainstream) Hatton will have great respect and reknown for his deed.

That said, I think a loss in this fight would be more detrimental to Mayweather's image than it will to Hatton's.
You're right, my comparison did fail with Baldomir and Gatti, as I didn't expect 2 old men to beat him either and they weren't undefeated as you said, which really is why Ricky should get more respect in the 1st place. Though that won't stop the Max Kellerman's of the world to brow beat Hatton if he loses, like they have hoped he would lose every fight. As far as gaining respect, that will be seen after the fight. I saw more holding and foul play with Hopkins vs. Wright than I have in Hatton's whole career, and nobody said a damn thing about it except he is skillful. Somehow Hatton can do less holding than B-Hop and get trashed for it and it's somehow mauling and ugly fighting and cheating. So though I concede your point about my bad comparison, we'll see if Hatton can pull it off and then watch to see if "respect" is even mentioned with Hatton in the same sentence. I know he barely got acknowleged for beating Castillo down, and seemed he got no respect at all as he beat up a geezer. Yet Floyd can fight Baldomir and Gatti who were practically in retirement homes and nothing is said. I would CC you for pointing out my bad comparison but I can't yet.
Well, then, in that case, I CC'd you.

I think Hatton's win over Castillo was a valid win but slightly ambiguous. Castillo may not have been, when in the ring with Hatton, the same Castillo that probably did really hand Mayweather his first defeat. I know that to say this sounds like it detracts from a Hatton victory, but since it may be true anyway, that leaves Hatton's victory over Castillo slightly ambiguous in terms of how much of a feather in Hatton's cap it is.

The good news is that I haven't heard anyone in the world even hint that Floyd Mayweather is past it, over the hill, not what he used to be. A bit slower and less powerful (as indicated by fewer KOs) at upper weights, perhaps.

Nor has it been said that Ricky is past it.

Both Hatton and Mayweather are on top of their game. No excuses of that nature will apply. Whichever of them gets the win will have a W that can't be argued downward in value the way Hatton-Castillo can (whether you agree with it or not). The ambiguity about either fighter just doesn't exist in terms of where they are at in their career.

That's a Good Thing.