Does Ricky Hatton deserve to be in the boxing hall of fame?

I was never a fan of Hatton and have always felt he avoided certain fights.
Looking at the whole picture now his career is over - Hatton
beat LWW champ Tsyzu
beat WBA LWW champ Maussa
beat WBA WW champ Collazo
beat IBF champ Urango
#1 contender Castillo
IBF LWW champ Malignaggi

I never rated Mallignaggi, Urango, Collazo or Maussa and felt Hatton selectively picked the opponents. I felt Castillo and Tsyzu were there for the taking also, but on the other side they are also a fair list of world class opponents.

So many lesser fighters get into the hall of fame.

Im a bit undecided

 

I'd say no. He was a good fighter, but he is not an HOF calibre fighter.

 

Lol. NOOOOO.

 

I doubt he cares either way. It's much bigger in the US than other Countries (probably as it's a US organisation). However....

Of course he should be in it. He owned that 140 division and was the biggest draw in it. He brought millions and millions of casual fans into boxing and was a big part of putting UK boxing into the "Statosphere" interest wise!

All the other UK fighters that are now PPV probably owe some of their fan base to Ricky and the interest he brought to the sport. Even Joe Calzaghe probably owes his late career megastardom in some form to Ricky and the casual fans he brought to the sport.

The very fact Rocky is in the hall of fame shows that bringing outstanding interest and benefit to the sport is a judging criteria and on that alone Ricky should be in. On top of this though....

To say he wasn't good enough is a joke. He was beaten only by PBF (in a weight he never looked good in) and Pac who is a freak of nature and aguably the best pfp ever! Anyone can pick apart a resume, but he owned everyone there was in that division.

There are people that achieved less and did half as much for the sport in the hall of fame. However, Ricky should be in not just on the lowish standard of previous entrants, but on his outstanding achievements and benefits he brought to the sport as a whole.

 

What exactly was "his time"? :huh

Tszyu was the best lww from the 90s up until 2005.

Hatton became the best lww in the world in 2005.

In 2006, he fought Collazo at ww.

In 2007, he got knocked out by Mayweather at ww.

In 2009, he got knocked out by Pacquiao at ww.

So Hatton was intermittently the best lww in the world between 2005 and 2009, during which time he had two weak performances at 147. In that 4-year stretch, his title defences were against:

Maussa
Urango
The ghost of former lw champ Jose Luis Castillo

And then in 2008, there were IBO defences against the undeserving Juan Lazcano, and Paulie Malignaggi.


"The best lww of his time"? It didn't take all that much, did it? :think The best guy he beat as champion was either Urango or Malignaggi. Is that an HOF calibre title reign?

 

on basis on what he did in managing to get 40'000 to cross the pond for a fight - yes

 

I love how Hatton's getting the respect on this board now. It makes a really refreshing change. Hats off, ESB.

 

YES, look at some of the fighters who got in already.

 

No.

What happened the only 2 times he stepped up against the elite who were in their primes?? He got KTFO cartoon style. His noticable wins were against a passed it Tszyu and shot to peices Castillo. Respect to him as a fighter and for the loyal fanbase he had and all but def not an HOF fighter IMO.

 

Sorry Ricky, but I'd vote no.

 

No he doesn't. But the way things are with the HOF now, he might!

 

I would would say no I'm afraid - Sorry Ricky

 

If Tyson can get in..... Hatton can too. Both bought excitement and casual fans to watch the sport, but fell when they fought the best.

 

I think so but he won't get in in his first year of eligibility. Maybe after like 10 attempts :hat

 

Beautifully said .