I got in contact with him years ago through the mail, a very good person and Christian man but how good was he really on the ring?
He wasn't bad, actually. I remember being very impressed watching his first fight with Sacco. In a grueling match, he maintained his form and workrate into the late rounds, whereas Sacco, who did well early, couldn't hold up under the pace and wilted. He wasn't a huge puncher, was workmanlike and had average defense at best, but he was very solid and well-schooled. He wasn't a face-first brawler, but an aggressive-minded boxer-puncher.
Gene was a hell of a fighter = fit, high work rate, decent power and skills and always came to fight. Its a pity he is remembered here in the UK for his wipeout at the hands of Lloyd Honeyghan, who was on a tear at the time and Hatcher was near the end and fighting a division above his best weight. Exciting fighter who scored some good wins. I did interact with him on FB a few years back. A pleasant man, a devout christian who seemed happy with his achievements and had found life after boxing.
