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

I think it's a bit unfair to throw too much criticism at the Tszyu fight, if any. Yes, we all knew Tszyu was coming towards the end of his career but he was still a betting favourite to win the fight and a clear step up for Ricky. He certainly wasn't as washed up as, say, Roy Jones when Calzaghe fought him, and to be fair to Hatton he clearly had his big moment and then went after the bigger fights. He didn't win them all but Mayweather and Pacquaio at 147 and 140 when both were smack bang prime, going up to Collazo despite being a pretty small light welter, a possibly underrated couple of wins against Urango and Malignaggi which in truth were whitewashes and smashing up a faded Castillo isn't a bad run by any stretch.

The earlier career was typical sadly of Warren's laughably cautious approach. Wasted years with the pointless WBU title, albeit some quality in the mix. For me the Junior Witter fight stands out as the big one missing from his CV. I never believed he didn't fight him because Witter was boring, and a fantastically popular fighter like Hatton facing a fellow Brit for the WBC belt at 140 should have happened. Perfect window was post Mayweather when Witter still had the belt having beaten Harris but Hatton went after Lazcano which was a shame.

 

@Betty Swollocks

 

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.

 

World class but not elite level sums up Hatton for me

 

NRAT

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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