What will Hatton's legacy be?

[ICB]

I was reading another thread and saw a post by Lefty saying if he beats Malignaggi, "...his legacy will be set" or something similar. That got me to thinking about what exactly his legacy will be, and I couldn't really come up with a concrete answer.

My initial thought was that he'd go down as arguably a top 5 LWW, but the more I think about it the less sure I am that the majority of other people share that opinion.

So, assuming he beats Malignaggi, and maybe Bradley, how will Hatton be remembered?

I think you got it spot on really a top 5 LWW of all time, who's best win was against Kostya Tszyu, who was old and ring rusty but still a good fighter. And probably one of the best British fighters of all time aswell, i think he has had a good career personally but he shouldn't have called out Mayweather and should of stayed at LWW........

I think Hatton will always be remembered by the British fans even the non hardcore ones he has a massive fan base over here similar to how Bruno, Benn, did. Maybe not as much outside the UK but i still think he will be remembered by the American's because he has fought over there few times.

[CGM]

I Suppose he might have a legacy not unlike Barry McGuigan? Beat a long time champion who was probably on the downside. won a couple of inconsequential fights after that.

Top 5 LWW? Nah maybe top 10 though. Aside from all those who fought at LWW who would have kicked his ass (IMO of course), one should also consider those who leapfrogged from lightweight directly to welterweight as comparisons. Such as Mosely and Duran, among others. Otherwise a top all time LWW ranking really doesn't mean squat.

[THE THIRD MAN]

Hatton needs a real Marquee win against his name to cement his legacy.
Beating an old Tszyu isn't enough, he was totally outclassed against Mayweather and Hatton needs a win against a Pac or Marquez.
He blew his chance of fighting and beating Witter in what would have been the biggest fight in recent British history, so he will fight and beat Malignaggi who is well short of the 1st division. So where does that leave Hatton? Up shit creek without a paddle!

[killersheep]

Gotta give credit where credit is due, if he beats the Magic Man (which he should). He will be the best 140 lber of this era. I honestly think he will be obscure to casual American boxing fans in 5 years time, but will be remembered fondly by a majority of Mancunians and by far and large most casual boxing fans in the UK. Overall in the scheme of things at 140 a very good case could be made for having him at 3rd or 4th.

[THE THIRD MAN]

Gotta give credit where credit is due, if he beats the Magic Man (which he should). He will be the best 140 lber of this era. I honestly think he will be obscure to casual American boxing fans in 5 years time, but will be remembered fondly by a majority of Mancunians and by far and large most casual boxing fans in the UK. Overall in the scheme of things at 140 a very good case could be made for having him at 3rd or 4th.

Well put, if he unifies at 140lb in 2009 then i have him 4th behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. What worries me is his size, did you see him at ringside next to DLH at the Marquez V Casamayor fight? Looked like he cleaned house at McDonalds!! He must have been close to 160lb

[CGM]

Gotta give credit where credit is due, if he beats the Magic Man (which he should). He will be the best 140 lber of this era. I honestly think he will be obscure to casual American boxing fans in 5 years time, but will be remembered fondly by a majority of Mancunians and by far and large most casual boxing fans in the UK. Overall in the scheme of things at 140 a very good case could be made for having him at 3rd or 4th.

Well put, if he unifies at 140lb in 2009 then i have him 4th behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. What worries me is his size, did you see him at ringside next to DLH at the Marquez V Casamayor fight? Looked like he cleaned house at McDonalds!! He must have been close to 160lb

#4? Really? Here's a few other guys who won titles at LWW that you may wish to consider. You could argue that any one of this bunch could have more than held their own against Hatton at 140. Depends how you evaluate them I guess.

Oscar de la Hoya
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pernell Whitaker
Wilfred Benitez
Antonio Cervantes

[sonny78]

He goes down as one of the most popular and exciting boxers in British history

Who pulled it all out of the bag to beat Kostya

as far as all time great and or even top 5 I don't think he had the competition go guarantee a spot there

Unfortunately for Hatton 140 has been a bit sparse of talent since KT and the move to welter never suited him if he could have got hold of Zab or Cotto a few years ago he would have a much more impressive resume

Still one of my favourites

[leftylee]

After Hatton beats Paulie he will also go down as coming back well from a loss. After getting knoked people will say oh he came back and won a world title against the number 2 ranked prime fighter in the division. That looks good. A true champion is someone who can rebound from a loss. Unlike a certain someone *cough* Naseem

[THE THIRD MAN]

Gotta give credit where credit is due, if he beats the Magic Man (which he should). He will be the best 140 lber of this era. I honestly think he will be obscure to casual American boxing fans in 5 years time, but will be remembered fondly by a majority of Mancunians and by far and large most casual boxing fans in the UK. Overall in the scheme of things at 140 a very good case could be made for having him at 3rd or 4th.

Well put, if he unifies at 140lb in 2009 then i have him 4th behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. What worries me is his size, did you see him at ringside next to DLH at the Marquez V Casamayor fight? Looked like he cleaned house at McDonalds!! He must have been close to 160lb

#4? Really? Here's a few other guys who won titles at LWW that you may wish to consider. You could argue that any one of this bunch could have more than held their own against Hatton at 140. Depends how you evaluate them I guess.

Oscar de la Hoya
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pernell Whitaker
Wilfred Benitez
Antonio Cervantes

Yep, i considered them but i have reasons for not including them in the top 5, both DLH and Mayweather were never around long enough at 140lb to make their mark in this division. Pryor cleaned up Cervantes and i see no reason why both Chavez and Tszyu wouldn't do the same. Whitaker was an all time great Lightweeight Champion but would have been hard pressed to beat Pryor and Tszyu. The draw against Chavez was a travesty of justice i'll admit that. Benitez has the best case going for him out of the lot and yes i would place him ahead of Hatton. Sorry about that.

[CGM]

Well put, if he unifies at 140lb in 2009 then i have him 4th behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. What worries me is his size, did you see him at ringside next to DLH at the Marquez V Casamayor fight? Looked like he cleaned house at McDonalds!! He must have been close to 160lb

#4? Really? Here's a few other guys who won titles at LWW that you may wish to consider. You could argue that any one of this bunch could have more than held their own against Hatton at 140. Depends how you evaluate them I guess.

Oscar de la Hoya
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pernell Whitaker
Wilfred Benitez
Antonio Cervantes

Yep, i considered them but i have reasons for not including them in the top 5, both DLH and Mayweather were never around long enough at 140lb to make their mark in this division. Pryor cleaned up Cervantes and i see no reason why both Chavez and Tszyu wouldn't do the same. Whitaker was an all time great Lightweeight Champion but would have been hard pressed to beat Pryor and Tszyu. The draw against Chavez was a travesty of justice i'll admit that. Benitez has the best case going for him out of the lot and yes i would place him ahead of Hatton. Sorry about that.

My point is that the guys I mentioned would beat Hatton at LWW, not how long they stuck around. By the "how long they stuck around" criteria, a guy like Ray Leonard barely rates as an all time WW. IF guys like de la Hoya and PBF stuck around at LWW it would be a different story for sure. The way the top of the line guys (unlike ykw) move through the divisions, it kind of makes an all time LWW ranking pretty meaningless. cheers

[Thread Stealer]

Well put, if he unifies at 140lb in 2009 then i have him 4th behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. What worries me is his size, did you see him at ringside next to DLH at the Marquez V Casamayor fight? Looked like he cleaned house at McDonalds!! He must have been close to 160lb

#4? Really? Here's a few other guys who won titles at LWW that you may wish to consider. You could argue that any one of this bunch could have more than held their own against Hatton at 140. Depends how you evaluate them I guess.

Oscar de la Hoya
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pernell Whitaker
Wilfred Benitez
Antonio Cervantes

Yep, i considered them but i have reasons for not including them in the top 5, both DLH and Mayweather were never around long enough at 140lb to make their mark in this division. Pryor cleaned up Cervantes and i see no reason why both Chavez and Tszyu wouldn't do the same. Whitaker was an all time great Lightweeight Champion but would have been hard pressed to beat Pryor and Tszyu. The draw against Chavez was a travesty of justice i'll admit that. Benitez has the best case going for him out of the lot and yes i would place him ahead of Hatton. Sorry about that.

There's no shame at getting stopped by Pryor at the end of your career, or even losing a decision to a young Benitez. Cervantes stayed around a long time at 140, and was a long-time champ.