I hope I am wrong as I am a Ricky Hatton fan but last night I thought I saw signs that the man was on the decline. It was kinda of similar to watching Gatti towards the end of his career. Of course Hatton has not been in as many wars as the human highlight reel but he seems to me an ageing old 29-year old. I thought there were parts of his performance that were encouraging, his stamina for one and his work rate. He was always on his toes but he really needs to start listening to Billy Graham. There was absolutely no need to take the risks he did in the later rounds. And as a fighter gets older he must take less risks to prolong his career. At times the way he waded in made me cringe, nothing change I suppose. He did say afterwards that it was the same old Hatton, not doing as he's told and giving the fans value for money. That's all very well Ricky but I'm quite sure that most fans would rather see you win and not get hurt than win and do get hurt. The marks on his face after the fight seemed to indicate that he was in some sort of war, he wasn't. Most of the fight he controlled and when he stepped on the gas Lazcano couldn't handle it. Although it may seem I'm being critical I thought it was his best peformance since he beat Kostya Tszyu. As a fan the last thing I want to see is Hatton take a beating from someone. Thankfully the fight against Malignaggi should not provide that. The Magic Man's power isn't there to hurt the Hitman but if he continues to go in head first the way he did at times last night a culmination of the New Yorker's punches will eventually have him in trouble. He did seem nervous last night as he confirmed afterwards and that's understandable. The chest infection obviously didn't help his preparations. But he needs to change his style. The all-action style he has will not see him through his three fight deal with Golden Boy and HBO. If his training is spot on and he puts in a disciplined, clinical performance against Malignaggi I expect him to win and maybe even stop him. But the risks must stop. And surely after last night this talk of Mayweather II will come to an end. Fight one of the three fight Golden Boy/HBO deal is obviously with Malignaggi and should he come through that it will be interesting to see who will be next on the hitlist or if Hatton continues fighting. Timothy Bradley springs to mind as a fight in early 09 but he's not the household name that Richard Schaefer would be interested in. And I expect the money men will be looking at the fighters stepping up from lightweight by then. Pacquaio, Juan Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez and Katsidis would be fantastic marquee fights. I just wonder if Hatton will still be fighting this time next year.
Hatton is declining and has been ever since he hit his peak against Kosyta Tyszu. That night Ricky fought like a man possessed that was his greatest performance. But since then the performances have been on the downward spiral. One performance where he wan convincly was the sickening body shot he downed Jose Castillo with but its far to say Castillo was shot and offered little danger - he was there for the paycheck. Hattons style of fighting the type of fighter he is has already expired his sell by date - he also drinks and eats all kinds of rubbish but it has a effect on his body this is all taking it's effect. Also look at the way he folded against Mayweather - his legs gave way completly and he was GONE. Now I know Mayweather is the best LB 4 LB but he is not known as a huge puncher but in the championship rounds Hattons legs folded. He would have had a better shot at Mayweather at his light welterweight days - dont think he would have wan - but you never know I didnt think he was going to be Kostya Tsyzu. The reality is Hatton is a declined fighter and any world class fighter at the top of their game is ready to beat him - Cotto, Timothy Bradley, etc. Mayweather has already beat Hatton by knockout and the only reason that fight will happen again is for $$$$$$$$$. Hatton is best of retiring now - what else is he going on for? he aint getting any younger or better and the biggest performances of his career are behind him.
I don't think HAtton is on a decline. I think he is as good as he has ever been. The problem is, HE has never been all that great!!! But to make real money he has to fight better fighters. And he is doing so. But those good fighters are exposing who Ricky Hatton really is. A good fighter, but not great.
I just wonder if he were to beat Paulie Malignaggi he should perhaps bow out then on a big victory. He'd regain the IBF title that gave him his greatest night in boxing and I don't think anyone would blame him. I'll be proved wrong as the money and the lure of a Pacquaio, Juan Diaz etc would be too great. I'd fear for Hatton. Even though they'd be stepping up to Hatton's natural weight I think Pacman would certainly carry his power up. And I hate saying the word but the Filipino is something of a boxing freak and if Hatton took Pacman's shots like the way he did from Lazcano last night, I reckon the ref would start counting. It sucks saying this coz I'm a huge Hatton fan. And I was wearing Hatton tinted glasses last night but I took them off today.
What if you get knocked out for the simple fact that you are not great. You just have sorry defense. :think
I think he should remain within his little safe haven of the junior welterweight division and he will be ok for another 3-5 years.
He fights the way he fights. He's got a lot of heart, good footwork and handspeed and has achieved a lot in boxing. If heart over defence gets the results does that make him any less a top fighter? I like watching Ricky and respect what he did going over to America
Give me a ****ing break! His not on any decline! Hatton has ALWAYS fought like a train wreck with little regard for defense. He was hurt numerous times and on the verge of a stoppage loss in the 10th if it wasnt for that grossly inept referee. He had over a minute to regain his senses and tie his ****ing shoes laces. It was a pathetic performance vs a fighter who hasnt laced them up in 18 months. The Ricky myth is soon to be exposed again. Its only a matter of time.
I think he had a bad fight because of the way he stopped training after his last fight but if he starts training seriously once again he will look much better in his next fight. However, Hatton is a good fighter but has never been a great one.
What ever you say about hatton some things are clear !!!! The man comes to fight !!!! Only lost to the p4p no.1 Never stops throwing punches Has got a good chin (even though he got tko'd by floyd) he can take dig. He is 2 weight world champion And is the man at 140 i dont know why people make a big thing abiout moving up in weight where was marvin hagler for his whole career ??????????? and know one gives him **** for it. Carlos monzon stayed at middle Kostya tszyu was at 140 his whole career I wish people would stop hating on hatton like he has the plague or something he is a very good champ at 140 :deal
Hatton should fight Malignaggi, Pac, and then Diaz, with the last two being in England to close out his career. I think he wins all three fights. But another beating from Money May will surely finish him.