Hatton and PBF are they still PRIME?

[RP33]

Two likely PacMan opponents for 2009 are Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Are they still in the peak of their career, or for whatever reasons, have they already lost a bit of their skills? Why?

One is coming from an impressive win from a not so impressve opponent, and the other has yet to get out of a questionable early retirement.

If and when these guys get in the ring with Paquiao, it is noteworthy to declare them 100% tiptop shape so that, oysters and the like will not tarnish the accomplishment earned atop the ring, for either or both fighters.

Sometimes, one's shining performance conversely spell doomsday for the other. Psychology, ego and the mind strength when snapped, takes alot from even the very best of them.

Then future fights of these seasoned warriors after that career altering fight, all of a sudden, uncharacteristically show them in a different light-- an overnight BUM!

I don't see Floyd coming into the ring, if he ever does again, without being in tip top shape.. He always trains extremely hard and the big thing about Floyd is that he's still undefeated, and wants to keep it that way.. I don't see Floyd slacking on training AT ALL if a fight were to come about..

As far as Hatton, we've seen him get KO'd by Floyd, we've seen Lazcano wobble and almost knock him at least down, if not out, and we know that he is a brawler.. To say he is in his prime may be a stretch, but he is not far from it.. You can't really compare him to Floyd because Hatton takes way more punches and punishment, but he's still a very very live opponent to say the least, and I'd also expect him to come into this fight, if it happens, in tip top shape.. too much is on the line..

[Taeth]

I think Hatton has never had the greatest chin probably to begin with, but that doens't mean he is worse than he used to be, I think his performance against Paulie was one of his best, and physically I have never seen anyone give Mayweather a more competitive fight. His speed really threw Floyd off.

Both of them IMO are close if not in their prime still, I think MAyweather will probably be around that same level for at least 4 more years if he continues to train as hard as he does(I hear he's been training since he retired, and he's been training very hard for the last couple months).

[Hunter]

I agree with much of what was said above...Hatton's style comes with alot more punishment than PBF. I think Hatton was in his prime when he beat Tzsyu...Ever since than he seems to be on the slide a bit. He is far from done but the abuse on his body (both from fights and his weight gain in between fights) started to take a toll.

I still favor him over Bradley and Holt. Against Pac, I am not so sure...would be interesting..

PBF is kind of like Hopkins in that he doesnt take a lot of clean shots in a fight and I believe is pretty fresh for his age and number of fights.

[killersheep]

If Hatton would not have looked so phenomenal against Malignaggi, I would have said he was past his prime. This is based on the fact of how many wars he has been in and how poor of conditioning he has between fights. If he takes to heart the lessons from Mayweather Sr. and fights smarter, slightly less aggressive and uses a little more dedication in his off time he could tack years onto his career. That being said he looked near flawless against PM.

As for PBF it's all speculation he was still prime when he "retired" and he is a gym rat by nature, but without anything to base it on it's all speculation.

[KananKrus]

Kind of a silly question to some light, I knda' think, considering both are still up there in the minds of the boxing public as tops, but one that need be asked. Nice to know what people think.

PBF sure prepares maxxed up everytime and all the time! Hatton need to do the same. He does prepare to the level of the opposition... much like every boxer there is save for a few. Hard for top fights, so so for the easy ones.

[Julius Rain]

not after pac gets done with them.

[El Kabong]

Ricky Hatton NO WAY

Floyd Mayweather Jr., yes

[JT Rock]

not after pac gets done with them.

right... What is your complete in depth analsys that makes you think Pac can beat Mayweather ?

[antimoron]

all in their early 30's

Pac - 52 total pro fights... 2 loses by KO
PBf - 39 total pro fights... o lose
Hatton - 46 total pro fights... 1 lose by KO

taking away amateur fights coz i don't know their exact records.. Pac has been into war as a pro far more than both pbf & hatton.. and pac is still improving and at the peak of his prime...and base on this i consider both PBF & hatton still in their prime...

[kingfrnk]

PBF yea. hes always keeps himself in great shape even when hes not fighting.

Hatton has a good 2-3 fights left in him but lets himself blow up a bit when not fighting/training.