Question about a fighters "prime" / "past his best"

[THE THIRD MAN]

In the case of Tszyu, he was past his prime and best when he fought Hatton.
We all got excited with his return against Mitchell, but he was inactive for 2 years with a shoulder injury prior to that fight and then to confront the young gun Hatton pushing age 36 was simply to much for him. No shame in losing to Hatton either.
He looked awful at the weigh in (drawn and gaunt) i knew then he would lose.
Age and inactivity will get boxers in the end as it does all sportsmen.
Do we say Berbick was better than Ali? Marciano better than Louis? or Camacho better than Leonard?
I doubt there would be anyone on this forum who would argue in the affirmative.
Mosley got past Mayorga in the finish but 7-8 years ago he would have finished him in less than 5 rounds.

You really didn't know he would lose. I watched Ricky from his 3rd pro fight onwards and I still was 100% he would get knocked out. It was the fight of his life, his career defining fight and he walked through Kostya's shots and showed more balls than anyone else could have. No one else at 140 now or then could have done what Ricky did that night. Sometimes a fighter just will not be denied, not ever, it was hattons night, he worked years for that one fight.

Ricky is still unbeaten at 140 and twatted the 'supposed' number 2 of the division with ease. I bet you any money Kostya is proud to have been beaten by a fighter who is still the best 140 out there.

I'm Not disagreeing with you, Hatton was a tall order and i think Tszyu made a big mistake taking him on in his own backyard. I was well aware of how good Hatton was before the fight and gave him a great chance to beat KT, when i saw the weigh in and with just 3 rounds in 2 years i thought you have bitten off more than you can chew here Kostya! Hatton will be regarded as a top 5 all time 140lb champion at the end of his career and that is some effort. I personally rate him 4th best behind Pryor, Tszyu and Chavez. I like the Fatboy!