Richard John Hatton, MBE - has enough time passed to fairly rate "The Hitman"?

His wins over Tszyu and Castillo deserve more credit than they get.

At the actual time the win over Kosta was highly respected,he was ring magazine fighter of the year and made the P4P lists for several years.

Over time this win has become unfairly derided.

 

He was an above average champion. Never an elite pound for pound top 10 type.

Extremely well guided and caught Tzyu, who was himself overrated, at the perfect time.

Vince Phillips was also over the hill when Hatton beat him.

He was so popular in the UK, though, he will unquestionably make the IBHOF.

 

Was up at 3/4am watching him but never forked out PPV

 

When Hatton beat Tszyu, not only was Kostya well past his best, but "referee" Dave Parriss allowed Hatton to do whatever he wanted, and I do mean whatever he wanted, as Hatton was a filthy fighter. I have never rated that victory, and Parriss is easily the most biased and incompetent ref I have ever seen. Don't believe my opinion of Parriss? Watch Rogan Sexton 1 and MAB Khan and see for yourself.

 

Kostya was a gentleman and fine fighter, but I have always felt he was overrated as well.

 

Me too.

Yes. He eked the maximum out of the talent he had, showed a lot of grit and wasn't afraid to take on the best. Can't ask more than that.

 

Was never a fan of Hatton, didn't like the hype from Sky but Tszyu was the lineal 140 champ and had cleaned out the division when Hatton fought him just in case anyone needs reminding, there may be question marks over how Ricky won and in a neutral location with an unbiased referee things may have been different but it was still a very good win.
Castillo also was the lineal 135 champ when he fought Hatton and coming off KO'ing Corrales now Castillo was on the slide but that again was a very good win.
And when you factor in the wins over Malignaggi, Collazo (controversial, yes), Magee, Tackie, Urango, Thaxton and Maussa then I think Rickyhad a great career, not an ATG and perhaps not even HOF but an ATG British fighter for sure.

 

Cervantes beats Hatton prime for prime 7 times out of 10, if not more.

 

My thoughts exactly.


Hatton didn't beat Tszyu.

Hatton and Parris beat Tszyu.

 

Tszyu is underrated but he got old overnight.

 

Yes the last two points you make are what I was referring to when I said he was on the slide prior to the Hatton fight. You make good points about JLC's weight for the Corrales and it was a factor in the KO win but how much we'll never know, Corrales had been in a lot of tough fights perhaps it had all caught up to him.

 

I am going to go out on a limb, and say that he had a whiff of greatness about him briefly.

He deserved his Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year award.

 

He was a but of a poor man's Barry McGuigan...only less disciplined less skillful and a much less accomplished body puncher.