Boxing Perspective: The Hitman: Our Very Own Golden Boy

[holmcall]

There has been plenty of speculation as to where Ricky Hatton can go following his recent destruction at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.

There was a huge amount of press and fans alike that were immediately of the opinion that Hatton should retire, hang up the gloves and bow out as a former two-weight world champion and the case being that he only ever lost to the two top fighters on the planet.

The world was shocked when Hatton was floored twice in the first round by Pacquiao and put to sleep in the second, well everyone except Freddie Roach.

Most experts agreed that whilst Pacquiao would win, it would be a hard, drawn out battle of will against skill, but what we all saw was something completely different.

As Pacquiao now emerges as arguably one of the greatest fighters the Philippines have ever produced, Hatton's career seems to be in disarray.

However, there are options out there for Hatton. If he were to retire, he would be remembered for some very special nights, i.e. Kostya Tszyu, or his thrilling stoppage of Jose Luis Ca... Full Boxing Article here...

The thing about Ricky is that we in the States also like him very much. He is a blood and guts type that appeals to us as well. As the saying goes here, he is the kind of guy I'd like to have a beer with. He will be missed here as well as in the UK.

[DaxxKahn]

Hatton is a fighter everyone likes because he gives a good effort win or lose, you have to respect him for that...He is not s fighter people will think of first hand when remembering great fighters of the past but his career has been a good one and for what he possessed skill wise he went further then one could have possibly hoped for

[Britkid]

Hatton has generally been a great credit to our sport in an era where boxing has struggled for mainstream appeal.

We know the downside to Hatton: The drinking, the weight gain and worse of all, the classless public sacking of seemingly a good friend and trainer.....

But like I said, overall Hatton has the done sport right, with Tszyu/Hatton being truly the last great moment in British boxing.

Joe may argue, but Lacy was no Tszyu and I think as brilliant as the performances were, Calzaghe walked in as favourite against Kessler, Hopkins and Jones. (Joe was wasted on us Brits a little, as we love our plucky underdog bulldog, who gets the job done, Calzaghe was just too darn good, to love, like we did Hatton.)

That said, I think if Hatton fights anymore, it will be purely for the money.

Now this is professional boxing and anyone not fighting primarily for money, should not be licenced; but to succeed, it cannot be the sole reason.

[Kel]

Hatton has generally been a great credit to our sport in an era where boxing has struggled for mainstream appeal.

We know the downside to Hatton: The drinking, the weight gain and worse of all, the classless public sacking of seemingly a good friend and trainer.....

But like I said, overall Hatton has the done sport right, with Tszyu/Hatton being truly the last great moment in British boxing.

Joe may argue, but Lacy was no Tszyu and I think as brilliant as the performances were, Calzaghe walked in as favourite against Kessler, Hopkins and Jones. (Joe was wasted on us Brits a little, as we love our plucky underdog bulldog, who gets the job done, Calzaghe was just too darn good, to love, like we did Hatton.)

That said, I think if Hatton fights anymore, it will be purely for the money.

Now this is professional boxing and anyone not fighting primarily for money, should not be licenced; but to succeed, it cannot be the sole reason.

You are bang on with all of that