If Hatton had not blown up in weight between fights...

[TheBranMan]

This is a very good topic that needs addressed. I think people who think it didn't matter are only looking at his success. No one is perfect but anybody who is human can always be better at something they do. The goal is to minimize that gap. Hatton was/is a good boxer who was great for how he treated his body. Actually, Hatton did exceptionally well considering the lengthy period of time he would blow up to the 170s in between fights. No trainer would want to or allow their fighter do this for more than once or twice a career. 30 something pounds for a small guy to drop is asking for danger. BHop is a very good example of what usually happens when a fighter absolutely takes care of himself in between fights. Hopkins doesn't drink, party, let his weight get up there, or break from the gym for more than a week. Hatton probably would've lost to both Pac and PBF because of technical flaws but he would've gave both, especially PBF, more trouble and been more durable. Even though it seems obvious it should be said. Hatton would've been a significantly better equipped fighter had he took better care of his body.

And yet everyone agree's he would have still lost to Floyd and Pac. So living as a fat pisshead outside the ring didn't harm his career in the slightest.

What about the mental side? Some people may benefit from being able to totally seperate themselves from the sport and then give it 100% focus when needed?

Yeah, as far as wins and losses I don't think he would have a different career. But I did say probably. Because against PBF I think we may have seen a close decision. Its difficult to predict. Were just guessing using what we know is good and bad. Hatton lost to 2 world beaters and I just don't think even the best Ricky Hatton would've beat either one of them because you still have to correct his glaring technical flaws. Though the PBF fight would've been more interesting.

I don't think that's fair. I think that as usual, people don't give Floyd any credit for his win. I've heard some Hatton fans state that the fight was "close" until Floyd KOed him in the 10th. They couldn't be more wrong. In terms of clean, hard punches I saw Ricky land a few of his sloppy jabs. That was it. Watch the fight closely. Floyd put on a boxing clinic despite the pressure-filled, nearly 'wrestling' style of Hatton. He knocked him out (with 10oz gloves I might add), including an embarrassing head-first knockdown into the padding on the corner of the ring. I'm sorry, but he is light-years ahead of Ricky in terms of skill. HBO and their British counterparts were having a difficult time making the fight seem competitive. For a non-puncher (as a lot of people call him), Floyd sure did make Hatton look bad. Yet no one questions Pacquiao's KO two years later...

For the record, I think Hatton is a very likable guy. I like his every-man persona and I think that if he didn't blow up in weight, he probably would've been a slightly better fighter. But at the same time, I've seen the early fights of both fighters and there were never glimpses of super-talent like Floyd or a few other top fighters. A good fighter with a successful career, but by no means great. I'm sorry but I couldn't just let you question a one-sided win and put Floyd in Ricky's boat.