Depending on how Khan develops though. As of now i would say Hatton, but if Khan continues on his current path, then most definately Khan.
Good match up just because there are so many questions - is Khan's chin really that bad? Can Hatton handle the reach and speed of Khan? Is Khan that savy enough to counter Hatton's grappling style? Khan is still developing, but if we are talking Khan right now vs peak Hatton - I say Hatton on a late stoppage. Khan will work the ring staying away during the early rounds. Eventually he will catch couple of bad ones and will not be able to finish the round.
Hatton by late KO/TKO. Khan still get's caught with shots and a PRIME Ricky was pretty vicious but Khan's jab would give big problems to Ricky. In the future? If Khan develops into the prime fighter in future I think he can be, then I think he'll kick Hatton's prime ass.
He was 21 when the fight took place. I agree Khan has improved a lot under Roach. He's much more patient these days and makes far better use of his exellent jab. However, the fact remains that he still hasn't proved himself against a pressure fighter the calibre of Ricky Hatton. Hatton has exellent foot speed and is fantastic at closing the distance. Since teaming up with Roach, Khans gameplan has been to strictly box on the outside. How well will he cope when a fighter forces him to fight at short range? Khan is very good at keeping his oppponents at range but I have my doubts as to whether he'd be able to keep a Prime Hatton off of him for 12 full rounds. Let's not forget that this is the same Hatton that absorbed bombs from one of the hardest hitting 140lbers of all time in Kostya Tszyu.
Prime Hatton (2005ish) against Current Khan Hatton walks him down and eventually stop him, he will take shots but was able to take shots then, he was much quicker (punching and on his feet), tougher, stronger and more skilled with his style than given credit for Night and day to the Hatton we saw in the last few fights.
This. Khan has been superbly matched versus light hitters and shot guys since Prescott, people like Kotelnik and Paulie were tailor made for him. We've yet to see him with another pressure fighter or a guy who's gonna try and take him out early. Until then we don't know how much he has improved.