admit it....who was fooled by Hatton's boxing career?

They wern't all cans to be honest their was some good boxers with alot of experience in there but all boxers have to build up a name and experience do expect he should have been fighting the top guys at 25 fights and 22/23 years of age

he was fighting 4 times a year against decent guys like Fredie Pendleton (who has fought some big names) Vince Phillps, Ben Tackie, Ray Olivera .... forget the WBU !! if that was just a series of fights for a up and coming fighter , it's not that bad

 

It would be like DeGale going onto be a superstar with Frank Warren. Before this he had it written into his contract he'd face George Groves. DeGale then wins the WBU strap, completely avoiding Groves while Groves struggles with the fledgling Hayemaker promotions, and DeGale defends it for years before finally moving on and fighting for a world title.

And Hatton fans wonder why it pisses people off, consider that atsch

 

I don't think the whole of the nation was clamouring for him to fight Carlos Vilches either.

 

It bemuses me also, these people just lurk in the shadows waiting for their moment when they can discredit excellent careers.

Obviously detracting from their own average lives....

 

O but we were! Remember when FW said Rickys opponent would be world class circa 2002 or so? He gave us Krivolapov who was ranked 10th or so by the WBC.

 

Joe has dodged the challenge of Carl Froch. Again I don't blame Joe, he had bigger fish to fry. But I do expect you to accept the parallels with Hatton-Witter. It's not a perfect comparison, nothing is, but the principles are the same.

You can't judge Joe's career on not fighting Froch and you can't judge Hatton on not fighting Witter.

If they weren't born in the same country there would be no reason to even discuss this.

 

Zab Judah was an opportunity.

 

yeah and witter stunk the place out with that fight

 

You are right, its not a perfect comparison. It is a very crude one with virtually no parallels.

When Calzaghe was cleaning out domestically, against Delaney, Eubank, Woodhall and co, Froch was in the amateurs.

I'm not judging Hatton's career by dodging Witter. His resume and achivements are there for consideration. I'm just calling a spade a spade here, he blatantly and obviously ducked Witter when there were many opportunities.

 

I agree but people make out like hatton was his only shot, he had other chances but just didn't take them

 

Yes, one that came early in his career and wasn't ready for.

 

I can see why Hatton did it though. He knew his strengths and weaknesses, and they never matched up well against Witter. Even had he won he would have had a life and death struggle on his hands, it was a lot easier to face WBU opponents.

Hatton can't deal with handspeed. He can't see punches from certain angles. A left hook from an orthodox fighter or a right hook from a southpaw. Witter could do both, with speed, and power. He struggles to adjust during a fight, Witter's different looks would have confused him. :good

 

yeah but if he hadn't stunk the place out he would have gotten more from that opportunity, he was 26 not exactly a young kid.

 

What's age got to do with anything? I was talking about the stage of his career he was at and it was early. Too early to be facing a proven world level operator like Judah. So what would have constituted him 'not stinking the place out' as far as you're concerned? Perhaps trying to trade and getting knocked out? How would that have given him more opportunities?

 

I don't disagree he chose not to fight him. I just don't agree he 'ducked' him with all the connotations that word implies. It's a plain old risk reward equation.

But we do agree that years down the line, with hindsight, it actually doesn't matter so it's a waste of cyberspace to keep banging on about it...