Hatton Calls Quits on Career

[Gandalf]

That is sad if it is true. I think maybe he is just too lazy to get into decent shape any more. He said he was coming back and then straight away went on holiday for 3 weeks. That is not the sign of a man intent on coming back and proving a point. He's probably had a few lazy sessions in the gym, realised he has no trainer, is fatter than ever, watched Urango get stopped and just thought "What's the point?".

Hatton has had a good career, but you have to wonder what might have been if he had stayed disciplined throughout his 20's like fighters like Mayweather and Mosley. Hatton is 31, but probably aged a few years beyond that point now.

On reflection it is probably the best decision to make. Hatton is obviously not mentally where he needs to be and that means he will be vulnerable against the younger breed of fighters. Hatton at his best beats them, but I'm now convinced that he knows himself that a year out has seen him slip even more.

I think a lot of it has to do with his style as well as his diet and drinking habits. He never had the defensive skill of a Mosley or a Mayweather and he has absorbed a lot of punishment. His chin is not what it used to be and I think that has a lot to do with him retiring.

Agreed, he has always eaten too many punches and at the top level I think maybe the damage has accumulated. He was never going to build up 20 title defences fighting like he did against Tszyu every fight and Hatton himself knew the warning signs were there, whence trying to adapt his style towards the end, but he was unable to to change really. He still ate punches and Manny made it tell in a rather uncompromising fashion.

I do feel Hatton wasn't quite fighting regularly enough for someone who could so easily get out of shape and in the end losing those pounds looked like it got harder as the years wore on. He was looking really drawn at the Pac weigh in. When half your camp is about losing weight, then you really aren't focussing on learning new skills. At the top level when skills should be coming more into focus, I feel Hatton began to slip and fall into bad habits. It could have been a little better, but taking into account those quibbles I have, he really did have an excellent career.

I hope he decides to at least stay in half decent shape now he's retired because he really doesn't look healthy at all right now.

[TheMacMagician]

Wise decision for me. Diff factors like watching Alexander KO Urango at the weekend, knowing how much weight he has actually put on and also the possibility he might not be able to get down to 140 healthily and also knowing he had real trouble at 147. Just a few factors.....

[Caine3078]

Good decision. I never thought Hatton to be an elite level fighter. To me he was very overrated and when he did fight elite fighters that are still in their prime he was exposed badly.

[Jimmy G-Force]

Everything has got to Ricky of late, he is not a happy camper at all, for so many reasons. His heart isnt in the game anymore, and I'm glad he has decided not to fight again. Without the heart and passion, he'll end up getting seriously hurt, and I dont want to see that.

He flew back from Tenerife last night at 10pm, I'm going to leave it a couple of days then I'll get in touch with him and see how he is doing. I just know from speaking to his Dad yesterday that he is seriously unhappy about alot of things. I also feel unless he lets go of this Pacman KO, he is going to be a very bitter man for a long, long time. Which is a shame.

[Nameless]

No matter what the reason is (if ever it is true), I couldn't be against it, he has enough money to be wealthy and happy as it can be, a little kid that will need dad, 2 bad knock out under his belt... time to call it a day.

[BIG H]

Good decision! The odds were against him. How many fighters have come back from 2 defeats like his and gone on to improve their legacy with subsequent fights

[Hornfinger]

I think he's gone back into the gym and just not had the motivation. Or he'll have started training and weight won't have been coming off as easy as he thought, then going back on to a strict diet etc etc.

And you know what, I don't blame him.

It takes quite a big man to admit they just don't have it anymore, alot of fighters would have been in denial gone through a bad training camp and then an even worse fight.

All this coupled with the fact there isn't really anyone available to train him....

Ricky had a great career. Average fighters don't net 45 million and only get beat by the two pound for pound best in the sport (one of which who could still possibly turn out to be a steroid cheat) who were both in their prime. Calzaghe and many other boxers waited till elite fighters were past their best and then went in with them, Ricky called these guys out.

But I'm glad he has decided to call it a day. I don't think there is anyone left for him to fight anyway.

[JonnyFolds]

I think he's gone back into the gym and just not had the motivation. Or he'll have started training and weight won't have been coming off as easy as he thought, then going back on to a strict diet etc etc.

And you know what, I don't blame him.

It takes quite a big man to admit they just don't have it anymore, alot of fighters would have been in denial gone through a bad training camp and then an even worse fight.

All this coupled with the fact there isn't really anyone available to train him....

Ricky had a great career. Average fighters don't net 45 million and only get beat by the two pound for pound best in the sport (one of which who could still possibly turn out to be a steroid cheat) who were both in their prime. Calzaghe and many other boxers waited till elite fighters were past their best and then went in with them, Ricky called these guys out.

But I'm glad he has decided to call it a day. I don't think there is anyone left for him to fight anyway.

That's what I've been saying all along. (sorry I know the fat jokes get old sometimes)

But seriously.. He does have a couple fights left in him, and I think he is just too rich to prove a point. It's sad to think we look at DLH, Forrest, Hearns, and Mosley who fight on past their most lucrative fights knowing they can and climb that mountain again. But who can blame Hatton after embarassing/destructive losses. It's not like he would ever get a rematch with either Pac or Floyd.. Of course Floyd was just hoping he could get a crack at Hatton.

Aside: I think the Hatton/Floyd would have been way more competitive at 140.

Further Aside: I think rumors of Hatton coming back will continue until he is around ~41. Thanks BHop, G.Johnson, N.Campbell, and all you other old F---ers for giving everyone hope years after their physical peak!

[El Kabong]

AWWWWW MAN!!! What about Bradley, Alexander, or even Witter?

[Greig]

I think what Hornfinger meant was - nobody left that Hatton can be reasonably sure of beating...

[Hornfinger]

What about them? Witters been KOed and retired on his stool

It's too soon for Alexander

I can see the arguement for bradley... but to be honest I'm not really desperate to see it..... Hatton's fought floyd and pac, what's the point in fighting anyone else?