Malignaggi-Hatton close, Paulie praises Hatton and calls him a "Great champion".

[Bomp]

I dont even bother with Hatton threads anymore, for the simple fact most of the people on here are far too arogant towards him and think people like Witter would beat him.

After the Tszyu fight I would say about 99% of the people on here would back Hatton to stop Witter early. But now I say most of the people would have Witter stopping him now, its really bullshit to be honest. Hatton showed real balls by moving up against the best fighter in the world and losing a fight where he knew he ' 0 ' was very likely to go. I respect him very much for that because I would have preferd to see him lose that fight then stay at 140 and fight not so good fighters.

Now that hes lost I believe any fighter needs to get that hunger and burning desire back in them. Going straight from the off to fighter argubly the number 2 in the weight class isnt the best choice in my opinion. He needs the confidence booster and I believe that he will get it from Juan Lazcano. Lazcano I do admit it a had been but he still wont be going all the way to manchester to get KTFO early I can tell you that. I think he can bring a good fight to Ricky and I feel Ricky will be able to stop him and get his self belief back that he is the best at 140 and he simply did loose to p4p number 1 in the world.

Witter I feel needs to show that he can attract more attention to his own fan base and name in America to prove that he truely is number 2 in the weight class, and not just because hes number 2 because hes proved it, but shown the people that he is number 2 and will bring exciment to a Hatton fight. If Witter was to fight Hatton in May and Witter looses to him easily what would you all say then? I would love to see some of the replies we would get on here about him, and see how they can turn it against Ricky. Personally I do want a Junior Witter showdown, but at this time I really dont want it. I want both men to be unifying the devision and let it really be the ultimate number 1 and the number 2. That way it will generate a lot more money for both men and attract a lot more customers for the promoters etc. The show down could take place in England and would be a major event for 2009. Both men need to have BIG wins on thier records this year. If Ricky beats Paulie and gets in another win and gets a belt this will set him up for this Witter show down. Junior NEEDS a big named fighter as well to assert the fact he DESERVES this shot and always has done. If he gets himself another belt against Torres or Rees I believe hes done enough to show he can fight against Ricky.

Hatton-Witter is the biggest fight at 140 IMO and I dont want it to happen too early. I want this one to be hyped up and both men fully up for it. At this momment Hatton needs confidence and Witter needs another belt or a big name. In my eyes Harris isnt enough for me and Witter has never taken a BIG risk in his career. He nearly got beaten by Colin Lynes and to say this man will easily smash Hatton is beyond me to be honest. Just give it time for this fight to unfold, I sense Ricky has this one planned for the right time when he knows he can generate the most money from it. Let him get his head back and get back on the winning ways and let 2008 unfold for both Witter and Hatton to make sure their 2009 showdown can take place, for all 4 belts and the ring magazine championship of the world.

I'm sure the Witter-Hatton fight will happen as soon as Witter wins the obligatory Hatton eliminator against Ngoudjo.

Anyway, on a serious note, I'm one of the guys who wants him to face Witter, but I can't knock Haton though if he wants to fight Paulie first. BTW is there anyone genuinely excited about the prospect of a Hatton-Paulie fight? I reckon it'll be like an episode of the A-team, action packed but at the end of the day no one gets hurt.

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

Pretty ballsy of Hatton since I think Malignaggi has the potential to make him look stupid. If he had a bit more power I doubt this fight would even be considered by the Hatton camp. Looking forward to this one.

Just beacuse he ain't facing Witter means he's ducking everybody else ?? this is the guy who fought Collazo, Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu right??

Lefty, don't you ever put Collazo's name next to Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu

[leftylee]

Pretty ballsy of Hatton since I think Malignaggi has the potential to make him look stupid. If he had a bit more power I doubt this fight would even be considered by the Hatton camp. Looking forward to this one.

Just beacuse he ain't facing Witter means he's ducking everybody else ?? this is the guy who fought Collazo, Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu right??

Lefty, don't you ever put Collazo's name next to Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu

In respect for Collazo he is and was a tough oppoennt for Hatton, natural welterweight, southpaw etc

[Tito BHB]

Just beacuse he ain't facing Witter means he's ducking everybody else ?? this is the guy who fought Collazo, Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu right??

Lefty, don't you ever put Collazo's name next to Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu

In respect for Collazo he is and was a tough oppoennt for Hatton, natural welterweight, southpaw etc

You guys need to see more collazo fights, the guy is the real deal. You'll see in time but for now.. you should check some of his fights and see how great the guy is.

He'll be up there with Tszyu and castillo soon

[leftylee]

Lefty, don't you ever put Collazo's name next to Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu

In respect for Collazo he is and was a tough oppoennt for Hatton, natural welterweight, southpaw etc

You guys need to see more collazo fights, the guy is the real deal. You'll see in time but for now.. you should check some of his fights and see how great the guy is.

He'll be up there with Tszyu and castillo soon

If I was you I'd tell that dufus in your sig to fix his grammar. You're intsead of your

[ICB]

Malignaggi is pretty decent with some good boxing skills and slickness, but he has no power so Hatton will be able to walk right through his shots, but Paulie will make Hatton look bad and he will give Hatton some problems but i see Hatton winning a clear cut decision.

[ICB]

Collazo was thought to be a easy fight - he almost stopped Hatton and got robbed, Castillo was regarded by the majority of people as being well past his prime when Hatton fought him. Tzsyu, IMO, was a great victory, the best Hatton has ever looked but you'll find those who can make a good case for Tzsyu being well past it and there for the taking. We all know what Mayweather did to Hatton. Hatton's record is somewhat unimpressive considering his glorified standing.
For the record, I quite like Hatton and I have almost always cheered for him in his fights, but he is one the most overrated boxers around.

It amazes me how someone like Tony Margarito can get credit on this forum for doing pretty much shit all in his career. Hatton has achieved more yet gets bagged on.

I understand what you're saying, but nobody had ever knocked Castillo out before Hatton took him out. It's your opinion he got robbed by Collazo. The majority felt he just won it. I think people think this because Collazo came close when he had no business doing so. He's the top man at 140. He's no welter. He was beaten soundly by Floyd, but he's still a great fighter.

I know what you mean, and I should be clear that I'm not trying to slag Hatton, I like him and I am a fan of his. He is a great fighter, but I also feel that he is tremendously overrated, particularily by his fanboys (not say your are one, you've always come across as very objective) who proliferate throughout this site (though for some reason there have been a lot fewer of them around since Dec. 8 ). I would also rate him much higher than I do Margarito. People use the defense of Hatton not being a natural welter, well neither is Floyd. Floyd is probably naturally much lighter than Hatton, so that argument holds no water with me. Hatton was simply out-classed and beat by a better fight, the best in the world, so there are no excuses needed there IMO.
In regards to Collazo and Castillo: Plenty of people were ripped Castillo and calling him shot, and past it etc. after his fight with Njoudjo (sp?). Also, after the Callazo fight I remember sentiment being pretty divided in regards to who won the fight, I certainly do not remember the majority of people (at least those with objective view points) saying that Hatton won the fight.

Disagree Collazo didn't get robbed, that was fight was about as close as you could get. I have watched it many times and i have had different scorecard every time. Just depends on what you look for in fights, Hatton landing more punches and forcing the action constantly, or Collazo's more cleaner and more eye catching punches.

[Tito BHB]

In respect for Collazo he is and was a tough oppoennt for Hatton, natural welterweight, southpaw etc

You guys need to see more collazo fights, the guy is the real deal. You'll see in time but for now.. you should check some of his fights and see how great the guy is.

He'll be up there with Tszyu and castillo soon

If I was you I'd tell that dufus in your sig to fix his grammar. You're intsead of your

Yeah i'll just go ahead and do that while you go inform ricky that his surname isnt fatton..

So whats your problem?.. You have to change the subject to my sig just because i get the feeling a couple guys here prob only ever seen Luis Collazo fight hatton and mosely..

[ICB]

You guys need to see more collazo fights, the guy is the real deal. You'll see in time but for now.. you should check some of his fights and see how great the guy is.

He'll be up there with Tszyu and castillo soon

If I was you I'd tell that dufus in your sig to fix his grammar. You're intsead of your

Yeah i'll just go ahead and do that while you go inform ricky that his surname isnt fatton..

So whats your problem?.. You have to change the subject to my sig just because i get the feeling a couple guys here prob only ever seen Luis Collazo fight hatton and mosely..

His fight with Jose Antonio Rivera was a war.

[Pugilistic]

that is great news, hatton would win late stoppage, or UD

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

Just beacuse he ain't facing Witter means he's ducking everybody else ?? this is the guy who fought Collazo, Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu right??

Lefty, don't you ever put Collazo's name next to Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu

In respect for Collazo he is and was a tough oppoennt for Hatton, natural welterweight, southpaw etc

I never said he wasn't a good fighter... Everyone take it easy

[Hughesd]

I'd like to see a Hatton-Paulie fight (esp after seeing Paulie-Cotto) but still think Hatton would have too much for him. Witter is all talk and is overated imo and he needs to generate some interest before he goes anywhere near Hatton. The light-Welter divison is pretty poor though and Welter is where you need to be. He should have stayed there and tried for fight against Cotto, Mosely or maybe a rematch with Floyd.

[ono]

Lefty, don't you ever put Collazo's name next to Castillo, Mayweather and Tzsyu

In respect for Collazo he is and was a tough oppoennt for Hatton, natural welterweight, southpaw etc

You guys need to see more collazo fights, the guy is the real deal. You'll see in time but for now.. you should check some of his fights and see how great the guy is.

He'll be up there with Tszyu and castillo soon

Collazo is the real deal.

He gave Hatton one hell of a fight.

People only talk about how Shane beat him easy but it was actually a level fight until Collazo fractured his hand. Strange how nobody ever talks about that

[Rican]

I got Hatton over Witter everyday of the week, but Malignaggi is too fast and too gifted to overlook and INO he would beat Hatton UD!!!!

Paulie could barely get by Herman N'Doo Doo. What makes you think he can UD Hatton in Manchester?

[Bukom Battler]

Hatton will beat Lazcano then beat Paulie. I can not see Paulie beating him based on his performance against Herman. One thing I do know is that Paulie will be in the best shape of his life against Hatton and will pose a decent moving target. If Hatton gets frustrated like he did against Mayweather then he could get cut. Again though, A Hatton victory for me.

As for Hatton v Witter, I look forward to this one in 2009. If Hatton retires without facing Witter, unless Witter losses badly soon, then only then will I say Hatton ducked him.