15 minute Ricky Hatton interview, "I left my performance in the gym for Pacquiao".

[KananKrus]

He had a case of self-doubt.... second-guessing that his abilities are superior or even equal to that of Paquiao's.

"i think that he just had too much doubt in himself and it showed in his ring walk" to borrow ElTerribleMorales' quote.

I too have observed this, and believe it to be true. After repeatedly watching the replays, Ricky Hatton really looked nervous, and antsy. He was making one too many deep breaths and repeatedly was swallowing spit in a manner similar to when necessitated in higher altitudes (in a plane) in order to reclaim efficiency for one's sense of hearing.

Possible that he was reliving that night that the Pacman destroyed Oscar dela Hoya, but only this time, he did not have the headset for the color commentary gig, he was the one wearing gloves to face the PacMan!

All too fresh in his mind how the GoldenBoy got sparked that night... made him think too deeply into the what if's. That gig sure gave him capsules and images of that fight that are a bit encompassing if not bothersome. Surely a no-no to hold a boxer's thoughts minutes before a mega fight.

Purely speculative... but if this was indeed the state of Ricky's mind at fight night... too bogged to perform to the max, then the result is of no surprise. KO'ed in the second.

He shoulda' just allowed the fight come to him, and just pained to give it all he has got.

Without that mental sludge weighing down his confidence, and like any boxer with two two laced boxing gloves... he sure had... a puncher's chance!