I honestly think Hatton won not because of Tzysu's age but because he deployed and executed the perfect strategy. Tzysu simply could not get any space to land his right hand and was absolutely mauled on the inside. I'm sure most will disagree but I think Hatton simply had Tzysu's number. The below video is a perfect breakdown. This content is protected
Hatton wins again but probably gets a decision instead of a stoppage. A pretty common problem with a lot of Soviet bloc fighters is that they struggle to throw punches from weird angles or from ranges they're not comfortable at. Their system of boxing largely focuses on your turn my turn while controlling range with bouncy footwork to make room for long, straight punches. Hatton was able to beat Tszyu by negating the space he needed to be effective and using his physicality to force Tszyu to throw punches he wasn't comfortable with.
I agree with you, but i do think Tszyu's inactivity before the fight played a bit if a factor. He only fought 2 rounds in 2 years leading up to the fight. Albeit, he did look incredible against Mitchell. I do think Hatton had Tszyu's number, but i feel the fight would have been more competitive if Tszyu was more active leading up to their fight.
Kostya's wheels were falling off. He was 36 and operated on a style based on reflexes and precision. Hatton was 10 years younger. And it certainly didn't help that Parris allowed Ricky to get away with so much rough stuff. Pit those guys prime v prime and Kostya sparks him out.
I voted for Hatton by mistake. I favor Tszyu to win, but Ricky will push him hard all the way and make it a tough fight.
As much as I'm hesitant to bash Hatton due to what ended up happening later in life to him - which was incredibly sad - KT,in his prime, would have wreaked Hatton and quite easily.
Tough one. I agree with everyone! Hatton´s style is always going to be problem. Kostau´s age, inactivity, 16 world title fights (+2 interims) didn´t help. Hatton literally at his bonafide peak, never quite the same after this win though bloody good. Tszyu beat some aggressive body punchers in Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Rafael Ruelas,an old Chavez or Jake Rodriguez. Ruelas and Gonzalez (a favourite of mine, check out his fights with Leavander Johnson,Jean Baptiste Mendy+Wilfredo Rocha 1) were past there peak and naturally smaller fighters without Ricky´s power. I can´t help thinking of Vince Phillips who outpunched Kostau and overwhelmed him for a huge upset. Tszyu was a terrific fighter but he not great at being pushed back and fighting at a relentless pace, Hatton´s forte. I pick Ricky Hatton 60-40 to win a classic on points.