That's a pretty high standard for B- fighter, whatever way you swing it. Does that mean the guys he beat C level fighters?
Losing? No. Not even putting up a fight in one match, being schooled in the other... Yes, it does take some of the greatness away. Hatton is on the same level as Collazo as a boxer, but fighting at a weightclass bellow. Now that's good. But... not extraordinary by any means. I still give Hatton credit for... beating Malignaggi the way he did. That was cool, you'd have thought that he turned elite over night. Then came pac and... set him straight.
If he's overrated he wouldn't have made it far enough to fight two P4P#1 fighters. People here don't even know what overrated means.
he just wasted too much time padding that 38 fight winning streak...the first big name he fought was Tszyu...and he was overratted himself as well as old...his last 5 years (tszyu) he barley fought and when he did it was sharmba mitchell rematches , jesse james leija...and ben tackie...then he fights the young buzz saw in hatton and gets mauled. he prob was overrated , but that doesnt take away he was a very good and world class fighter. he just peaked when he should have been stepping up, i mean he turned pro in 1997 and it took 7 years and 38 fights to get any one of the 4 belt holders that were out there?
In my opinion, if you want Hatton to secure a spot into the HOF with minimal criticism from most boxing fans, then Hatton should fight 6 more fights with B or higher fighters. Hatton may slip into the HOF now since there is no exact criteria as to who gets in. But if you want his critics to shut up, then you have to give them a good reason to. Hatton is a very good fighter in my book, but to many people's eyes getting into the HOF is a great honor. You have to expect scrutiny and cross examination.
when you think about it, he's only lost to the absolute best. no shame in that. not even lennox lewis can say that, and he was a great hw champ.
Agree with most of that.....but he did the right thing in the end in dropping Warren when he was still young enough to get the really big fights and he took them without hesitation. Win or lose that has to count for something. Hatton wasn't a ducker like Slappy was, no chance.
What the **** does the result have to do with the point about his fan base? He got KTFO against Mayweather yet still brought the same amount of fans over for Pac....I'm not the biggest Hatton fan but the guy was a decent fighter. Maybe if McClellan had brought 20,000 over to support him against Benn he wouldn't be wearing nappies right now :yep
Good post and thread. I am a Hatton fan and have been for a long time, hes a very good fighter and has done more then 90% of people who lace up a glove ever will.... He is tenacious, tough, and willing and wanting to fight the best. Instead of taking the route of a sturm and just babysitting titles, he went for greatness. He is a multiple champion and gets way too much crap... I was hoping he could get one more win before he retired but it looks not to be. At any rate, he held 140 on lockdown and was a good fighter, im thankful to have been a fan and he will always be a favorite of mine..... :good