Hatton to fight on!!!!!

[Beanz]

I am a big Hitman fan but am perplexed by this kind of matchmaking. By moving up to Welterweight Ricky is going to be exposed to big hitters and after struggling to handle what were admittedly, quality clean shots from Pacquiao, is putting himself in the company of Mosley and Cotto who while not quite as fast and clever in throwing angled shots like Manny, can both deliver big bombs. I hope he can pull it off and maybe having a few less pounds to shed will improve his durability when entering the square circle. Who will train him? Lee Beard may be helpful but i feel Ricky needs more experience and quality alongside and someone who can engage with him psychologically. While not the being the silkiest boxer Hatton has been unfairly dismissed by many of his detractors as a one dimensional slugger. His technical repitory is somewhat better than that, all though recently his lack of natural head movement has left him dangerously exposed. His ability to cutt off the ring , fight on the inside and land accurate under the elbow body shots will need to be rediscovered in conjunction with a more measured stance, gloves high covering his face chin down. Leopards may not change their spots but if somebody can take the lion hearted desire that got him into the ring with FM and MP and channel that into concentration on improving and adapting his defence he probably has a couple of fights left to remind people of why he was IBF Light-Welterweight champion for so long.

Hatton obviously is now sturggling to make 140, as there is no other explanation as he always says 147 is not his division, Hatton has always been over rated. Like I have said before his boxing skills are not bad but at World Level they are very average, It's one thing looking like Surar Ray when your fighting Ben Tackie and Ray Olivera, Hatton is decent at what he does but he is one dimensional and easy to hit, the top boys will always have to much, absolute no point in making a comeback to have a crack at the big boys it will end in tears once again.

I agree. Although he is not the greatest boxer the world has ever seen he has been a great entertainer and ambassador for British boxing. My local team Plymouth Argyle are probably never going to win the European cup and may not even reach the Premiership but i will always support them through thick and thin. For me supporting Hatton is the same, he represents the ordinary guy who believed enough to work hard and give it a shot. "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp"(Browning).
He tried and fell short so hopefully he can end his career with one last belt even if it is not the most glamourous or credible measure of the division.

[Gandalf]

I wouldn't be surprised if he carries on for a fight or two more, but I would hold out until a more reputable source verifies it first.

Not always sure about The Sun!

[The Congressman]

Keep them guards up, tuck your chin in, and you'll be alright Ricky. Best of luck.

[LEGION]

Keep them guards up, tuck your chin in, and you'll be alright Ricky. Best of luck.

Because he's known to be so defense savvy

This is startingt resemble a ping pong match, JWW/WW/JWW/WW. I think this guy is confused from all those punches. Ricky still one of my faves and I will always support him but this kid is going to end up being sponsored by Gerber Baby Food.

Sorry but my $$$ is on this, like mentioned above, obscure kat with the WBA trinket. I hope Ricky wins but can already see him being gunshy, confused, battered and finally sobbing over a pint.

War Hatton!!!!!!!!

[ono]

I am a big Hitman fan but am perplexed by this kind of matchmaking. By moving up to Welterweight Ricky is going to be exposed to big hitters and after struggling to handle what were admittedly, quality clean shots from Pacquiao, is putting himself in the company of Mosley and Cotto who while not quite as fast and clever in throwing angled shots like Manny, can both deliver big bombs. I hope he can pull it off and maybe having a few less pounds to shed will improve his durability when entering the square circle. Who will train him? Lee Beard may be helpful but i feel Ricky needs more experience and quality alongside and someone who can engage with him psychologically. While not the being the silkiest boxer Hatton has been unfairly dismissed by many of his detractors as a one dimensional slugger. His technical repitory is somewhat better than that, all though recently his lack of natural head movement has left him dangerously exposed. His ability to cutt off the ring , fight on the inside and land accurate under the elbow body shots will need to be rediscovered in conjunction with a more measured stance, gloves high covering his face chin down. Leopards may not change their spots but if somebody can take the lion hearted desire that got him into the ring with FM and MP and channel that into concentration on improving and adapting his defence he probably has a couple of fights left to remind people of why he was IBF Light-Welterweight champion for so long.

Hatton obviously is now sturggling to make 140, as there is no other explanation as he always says 147 is not his division, Hatton has always been over rated. Like I have said before his boxing skills are not bad but at World Level they are very average, It's one thing looking like Surar Ray when your fighting Ben Tackie and Ray Olivera, Hatton is decent at what he does but he is one dimensional and easy to hit, the top boys will always have to much, absolute no point in making a comeback to have a crack at the big boys it will end in tears once again.

I agree. Although he is not the greatest boxer the world has ever seen he has been a great entertainer and ambassador for British boxing. My local team Plymouth Argyle are probably never going to win the European cup and may not even reach the Premiership but i will always support them through thick and thin. For me supporting Hatton is the same, he represents the ordinary guy who believed enough to work hard and give it a shot. "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp"(Browning).
He tried and fell short so hopefully he can end his career with one last belt even if it is not the most glamourous or credible measure of the division.

You never know with the deadly duo of Mpenza and BWP.

[littlebif]

Carnt see Hatton taking a fight with the WBA welterweight champ,it could be a rerun of the Collazo fight,he fought a realitively untested welterweight champion in Collazo and struggled to get the nod in that fight .A few years later Hatton could be moving up to do the same thing again against an untested champion at welterweight i think its a bad move his chin isnt what it used to be and at 147lbs Hatton has looked 1000s amiles away from his best. I hope he doesnt take thins fight even if he wins you would worry for Hatton in his next fight against the real players at 147.

Imo i would try to get Kerry Kayes back on board so he could make 140 limit.If he carnt make that i would call it aday.

[Kirkland Laing]

In the Sun as well. If he turns up punditing on Sky Box Office this weekend we'll know the fight's on for certain. Although doesn't he have a promotion on Saturday too in Altringham or was that last week?

[JazMerkin]

The guy isn't even the WBA champ, that's Mosley, this Sidorenko guy is most likely the WBA interim housesitting champion or something. Why fight this guy when should Khan win, that fight is worth £millions more & would at least not look as bad on his record if he were to lose.

[Beanz]

Hatton obviously is now sturggling to make 140, as there is no other explanation as he always says 147 is not his division, Hatton has always been over rated. Like I have said before his boxing skills are not bad but at World Level they are very average, It's one thing looking like Surar Ray when your fighting Ben Tackie and Ray Olivera, Hatton is decent at what he does but he is one dimensional and easy to hit, the top boys will always have to much, absolute no point in making a comeback to have a crack at the big boys it will end in tears once again.

I agree. Although he is not the greatest boxer the world has ever seen he has been a great entertainer and ambassador for British boxing. My local team Plymouth Argyle are probably never going to win the European cup and may not even reach the Premiership but i will always support them through thick and thin. For me supporting Hatton is the same, he represents the ordinary guy who believed enough to work hard and give it a shot. "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp"(Browning).
He tried and fell short so hopefully he can end his career with one last belt even if it is not the most glamourous or credible measure of the division.

You never know with the deadly duo of Mpenza and BWP.

Mpenza has gone but if BWP improves and becomes more consistent you never know
"Come on you Greeeeeeeeeeeens"