Hilton was one the strongest pound for pound fighters ever and looked awesome in late 1985 when he destroyed Vito Antufermo. He sliced his face apart and then kayoed Wifredo Benitez early the following year. He did end up winning the title in 15 rounds from Buster Drayton in 1987. Then he started losing to ordinary fighters and faded from the scene. He was even rumored to be facing a comebacking Roberto Duran in 1986. Ayala had personal demons which spurred him on to commit heinous acts of depravity ostensibly derailing what could potentially have been a brilliant career. He fought a good fight against Yuri Boy Campas in his comeback fight in 2000, but Yuri Boy's relentless body attack caused Ayala to retire on his stool after eight rounds. Lucrative fights against Roberto Duran and Davey Moore went up in flames after he broke into a neighbor's apartment on New Year's Eve 1982 and commited bulgary and sexual assault. He was in trouble again in 2004 and will be eligible for parole in Jan of 2013. Two great talents but even greater wastes. Who was the bigger flop?
Hilton got about as far as he could with his style, and propensity to be an undicsiplined fat ******* between fights
A better question may have been..."which family was collectively the biggest bunch of arseholes?" Tony, his brothers and his old man, or the Hilton brothers and their old man
Hilton at least won a world title,although he threw it all away.Ayala didn't get his opportunity,so Tony's career was far worse.
They were both stupidly overhyped, but NBC neeed to make a buck on Ayala. Hilton wasn't hyped quite as much as Ayala, so less disappointment there; while both had physical gifts to burn, Ayala was the more naturally gifted. Hilton just bulldozes guys.
Ayala didn't look anymore 'naturally gifted' IMO. He wasn't even capable of bulldozing guys as well as Hilton.
Ayala is known for not reaching his boxing potential, but Hilton won a world title and in 1986 he did beat a legend Wilfred Benitez even though Wilfred was worn out at that point. You have to say Ayala was the bigger dissapointment just because he didn't win a title and fight the guys Matthew did like Buster Drayton, Wilfred Benitez, and Robert Hines.
Hilton at least won a world title, whereas Tony threw it all away before he could inevitably smoke Duran. So that makes it unanimous.
On paper,,,,,,,,,,,,, It looks like Tony Ayala Jr. is the 'bigger disappointment', not because he didn't win a World Championship, but because he failed to be a 'good citizen'. Matthew Hilton, though not as well known in the United States, was touted just as much in Canada, and was 'expected' to accomplish big things. Tony Ayala Jr. had not fulfilled his potential. Where as Matthew Hilton did win a World Championship, but his 'star' did seem to burn out a little early.