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

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by IntentionalButt, May 3, 2019.



  1. Alien

    Alien Chin Scholar Full Member

    5,384
    39
    Jun 12, 2011
  2. FloatingGhost

    FloatingGhost Some guy Full Member

    2,053
    455
    May 16, 2012
    I think he was generally over rated. Lost to collazo. His best wins were past it tzyu and past it JLC. He was good though for sure. Maybe not hall of fame based on ability or skill but couple the skill and ability he had with how absurdly popular he was...along with the fact that his 2 recorded losses (barring senchenko) were to Floyd n Manny, I’m sure he will be hall of fame. Tell you what though...prime Hatton vs 140lb Cotto woulda been an all time classic. At least in my mind. Cotto woulda beat him but god damn I wish we coulda seen that fight.
     
  3. tee_birch

    tee_birch Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,513
    4,499
    Jul 6, 2014
    World class but not elite level sums up Hatton for me
     
  4. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

    68,930
    23,027
    Jul 26, 2004
    Talk about a complete over reaction to my post... Jesus Christ lol.

    Me rating him fairly highly head to head simply means that in the last 15 years or so I think he can hold his own and or beat most of the top 140lbers.

    Id take the Hatton that fought Zoo to beat or run close with Bradley, Judah, Cotto, Mikey, ect.

    I dont have him beating any prime ATG.

    ATGs make up 1 percent or less of boxers... you can still be a good head to head fighter while losing to the very best.

    Hatton seems like a sensitive issue for you lol
     
  5. tdf1974

    tdf1974 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,876
    1,992
    Sep 9, 2013
    NRAT
     
  6. Jurgen

    Jurgen Pay Per Pudding Advisor banned Full Member

    13,416
    19,415
    Sep 30, 2016
    Absolutely agree but I have more respect for him chasing down the elite and testing himself even though he came up short.

    Also seen off a challenge from PED Fury for the Manchester lineal coke and obesity championship belt
     
    Smudge_ likes this.
  7. FartWristedBum

    FartWristedBum I walk this Earth like a bum Full Member

    2,248
    599
    Feb 6, 2014
    Well, let's get this straight: Hatton is no 'great'.
    That said, he had a very colourful career, chocked with high-octane wins against top 10 opposition. That, is enough to put him in the HoF.
    Coupled with his rabid fanbase, he brought spectacle and substance to his fights and was a must-watch in his prime, which is notable for someone operating below welter.
    Let's be clear: you can toss around hypotheticals against fantasy opposition all you like but Ricky has facts on his side, and those facts are he achieved success only a handful outside of HW can dream of. That is no accident and was hard earned with talent. Top man and a welcome colour to boxing's historical pallet.
     
  8. Brighton bomber

    Brighton bomber Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    29,094
    24,481
    Apr 4, 2005
    He was clearly world class and a very good fighter, Hall of fame worthy for sure but not a great.

    At welter he was poor, his style relied on his ability to be stronger and maul opponents, he was far more effective at 140lbs where he could impose his strength. Should be remembered as a very good light welter just not a great one.
     
  9. Wig

    Wig Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,590
    3,990
    May 31, 2010
    Hatton has secured his place in Manchester folklore and British history. His name will live on after he is gone, the rest is detail surely?
     
    Holler likes this.
  10. londonboxingess

    londonboxingess Active Member Full Member

    841
    956
    Nov 30, 2012
    To me, Hatton wasn't a boxer he was a movement, he was the first of my generation that galvnised everyone together, almost tribally to support this plucky working class lad next door against the rest of the world, people all around the country up at 3/4am on PPV watching him.
     
  11. deadACE

    deadACE Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,049
    773
    Apr 13, 2014
    He took the slow journey to reach the elite levels and didn't receive any flack for it, although their wasn't any social media full of armchair experts at the time, to comment on it and make it a big talking point.

    He was fortunate to get Kostya on the decline and that win launched him on his path to the 2 biggest fights of his, career, where he was exposed to a degree.

    A good, better than domestic level boxer but not world class.
     
  12. lencoreastside

    lencoreastside Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

    20,216
    5,004
    Dec 27, 2010
    No offence to the very personable and much loved Ricky or his fans but he was hugely overrated. Really wasn't that good at all.
     
  13. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

    8,585
    11,046
    Oct 28, 2017
    Fun fighter. I need to rewatch some of his career.

    He was very good, certainly not a true great, but that's nothing to be ashamed of, he achieved far more than most ever will.
     
  14. nurological

    nurological Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,144
    10,163
    May 25, 2012
    Yes he was overrated and got ALOT of help from referees but he is a British legend, not just boxing but a British legend. He went furthur than his talent should have taken him and I loved the journey.

    Respect to the fatman
     
  15. Sphillips

    Sphillips Active Member Full Member

    1,341
    1,194
    Nov 14, 2017
    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.