I apologise if this has come up before(im pretty new) Who has had the better carear to date,froch has arguably mixed with world level more regulary and has won his title 3 times but hatton mixed with the elite(albeit losing)whilst being a 2 weight world champion and was unique in his popularity in this country Im interested in peoples opinions on their place in british boxing history
Hatton he was man at 140. As for losing to the best fighters he faced so did Froch who also at least in my opinion lost to dirrel too.
Froch didn't have (and won't ever have IMO) as big a single win as Hatton's over Kostya Tszyu. And, despite his overall skillset being underrated, wasn't as technically gifted as Ricky was. But.... he's mixed at world level for longer, against more GENUINE world class fighters - and has won all bar two of those to date. Hatton had a long career on the fringes, fighting stiffs with pretty looking records, and faded opponents like Vince Phillips. In terms of their defeats, Froch lost a close decision to a slightly past his best Kessler, one which he will avenge, and was pretty much shut out by a man who he'd never beat in a million years, in Andre Ward. Hatton gave a brave effort against Mayweather but ultimately wasn't good enough, and was executed brutally by Pacquiao. I think if Hatton had taken more risks earlier in his career, and hadn't lived such a bad lifestyle which curtailed his prime so early, he'd have had a better career than Froch.... who conversly has lived the life - no booze, no drugs, no dodgy women and took risky fights.... and could hand on heart say that he wrung pretty much as much as he could out of what he was given. No other British fighter that I can think of fought someone as good as Jermain Taylor in their first defence of a title, let alone in America.... and then took short money against a feared puncher in Bute to get himself right back in the mix when people were saying ''take a few easy ones and retire''. Hatton = better Froch = greater If that makes sense.
I think allot will depend on where Ward ends up long term. If Ward is equal to Mayweather then you count those losses the same. I would say Froch was more competative with Ward than Hatton with Mayweather...others will disagree. Kessler & Pacquiao losses would be equal. Pacquiao the better fighter, but it was a 2round blitz rather than a close loss. You also have the Senchenko KO loss. Dirrell was as much a loss for Froch as Collazo was for Hatton. If you look at there wins; Tszyu, Castillo, Mallignaggi, Maussa, Urango, Lazcano, Oliviera. vs Bute, Pascal, Abraham, Taylor, Johnson, Magee, Tatevoyson, Mack. Hatton has the best win but Froch has more top wins. So or me its Froch especially if he avenges his loss to Kessler. Plus Froch is probably gonna fight at least another 3 top fighters before he finishes.
Taking short money is something massively overlooked from Froch. and to think people are slating him on here now for promoting his fight. You still have to count the Senchenko loss. wasnt there rumours about Froch being a smoker in his early days?
Hatton was a legit world champion. Froch has yet to become one. A titleholder, yes, but not the number one in the division. When Hatton beat Tszyu he was the best in the world.
Realistically he didn't have anywhere else to go other than Bute, but it still took plenty of stones to go for it, given that it was well and truly over if he'd lost. Not sure about the smoker rumours tbh. I'll give Hatton a pass for Senchenko, a bad defeat but one after over three years off.... Ricky was arguably just over the hill when he beat Tszyu all those years ago.
Froch has beat better opposition overall. Pascal, Bute, Dirrell, Taylor, Abraham, Johnson is better than Tsyzu, Urango, Collazo, Castillo, and Malignaggi. But the Tszyu win is the best out of the lot.
How long was Tszyu out for ? Does he not get the same pass then? Edit over the hill when he beat Tszyu? I don't get?
I'm in agreement I grew up loving this sport due to Ricky Hatton. Hatton has the best win but Froch the greater legacy, by some distance as well if he avenges Kessler defeat
Zoo was "out" for 6 months before he fought Hatton. He'd just KO'd a previous opponent quicker than he did the first time they met. This is just like the old days...
It's close but Froch edges it for me. People will say Hatton was a legitimate champ as opposed to a belt holder, but this depends on the competition. In some eras it'll be more difficult to become "the man" than it will be in others, just like how you can't look at an undefeated record and claim that fighter is the best because he's undefeated. So forget this and just look at wins and losses rather than belts or status.