Hatton winding down his career

p4p #2 Tsyzu, p4p #1 Mayweather. Hatton's opposition is the best in the world. :deal

 

For those looking to hate on Witter due to "playing the race card". Try to read between the lines. He said that Hatton, where he is (Manchester) and being white was much easier to market to the people Warren wanted to reach. Now I fully understand that Hatton had to get in the ring and have the fights, entertain the crowds, which he did and gets full credit. But would Witter have been so easy to "sell" to the working class Northern male (which is the main demographic of the fans that packed the MEN arena)? I'm from London so I couldn't say. What I can tell you is that Lewis and Bruno were both born down here, but who did people (the everyday people not the boxing fans) gravitate to? The one the thought they more in common with, which was Bruno. Warren knew he was onto a good thing with Hatton, especially with the Manchester City "hook" as well, and would never have dreamed of putting him in with Zab Judah at the stage Witter faced him. I know it was Witter's choice, but the difference is, Hatton would never have had to make it. This isn't a sob story, just a frank observation that people tend to gravitate towards their own, and that's exactly what happened when you had two boxers at the same weight in North England. Hatton has an almost tribal fanbase, and can everyone, hand on heart, that it's purely because he's an excellent boxer? If so, why doesn't every top boxer have that support? There's more to it than that and that's what Witter was pointing out. Again, it's not a criticism or a cry of unfairness, but it's a simple fact that when people choose to support a football team, rugby team, or indeed a boxer, it's because they a certain affinity for them that makes them spend money or stand up for them even when they lose. Like many things, because it's not easy to talk about, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Witter his to look at himself for situation a far as not performing when it was most important (last time out aside), and his management not doing enough to "put him out there". But one thing that is true, is that many of those that follow Hatton loyally wouldn't spend money on Witter even if he is a British world champion. In fact, I've seen plenty wishing a loss on Witter before he's about to fight. Can those that do please say if it's because they think Witter's just plain rubbish and has no business at world level or is it a bi-product of being a Hatton fan? I'd appreciate honesty on this one.

 

Fair point mate, I would say a bit of both.

There is nothing more I would like to see than a British fighter at the top table in every weight division, more than one if possible - but feel that Witter is the architect of his own downfall in terms of his lack of popularity. There are several points I have added before, I will remind you as a newbie:

1. All this bleating about 9 days for the Zab match - don't give me that. Did anyone put a gun to his head and force him to take the fight?

2. Where were the last round bombs in the fight - a lucky KO is always possible! (Seize the moment!)

3. On Witter's bigger opportunities on the big stage he was a let down - Lynes, N'Dou and Kotelnik could all be considered lousy performances.

4. British people (espec northerners) don't consider arrogant wankers funny - he should have known that many people turned up to watch Naz hoping to see him beaten. He may be a great guy - I don't know, but first impressions don't seem positive.

5. Stalking someone for 8 years could be construed as weird.

6. When other people do well, have the guts to congratulate them on their achievements, rather than deriding them - this alienates people.

7. He has been talking about moving up to welterweight for two years - well......... we are waiting.

8. Swapping the leading promoter (Warren - a wanker I know) for some fat, trash talking wideboy lacking financial clout is hardly the way to go - Hennessy only publicises his fighters on the back of the elite names.

Also a couple more that I cannot remember - but you will get my drift.

 

Some vald points Flux - but I don't recall Mayweather offering Ricky a fight, though correct me if I'm wrong.

From what I understand, HBO didn't want it at the time.

 

It was a much bigger fight when it happened. Hatton had been on HBO 3 times fighting in America, and just KTFO Castillo. Floyd was coming off the biggest non-heavyweight fight in the history of boxing and a win over Oscar.

The fight was big. The timing was beautiful.

 

I like Ricky & whatever he decides to do with his career, whoever he decides to fight or not fight, ultimately, it's him who has to stick by those choices.

However, no matter what he may or may not go on to achieve from this day forward, if he doesn't box Junior Witter, people will always bring Witter's name up whenever interviewing Hatton & rightly so, in my view.

Witter is clearly one of the best fighters at LWW, definately the most avoided.

Witter has made his desire to face Hatton public, so if Ricky doesn't box Witter, it will be a negative on his career.

 

If Hatton turned the fight down, find a link, gimme a quote. Because without it you don't even why he turned it down, if he did.

And you're reasoning is just stupid.
1) He was fresher - was he? he was 26 when he beat Tszyu, and he's 29 now. You're saying that you knew when he beat Tszyu 3 years later he wouldn't be as good? It's just nonsense.
2) He was at a better weight - he didn't know Floyd was going to move up without fighting the champion at 140 did he.
3) He was the financial draw - in England. He'd never fought in America on tv.
4) He could have dictated better terms and maybe even fought in the UK - Based on what? Floyd never fought outside America and was the p4p #1. Wanting the fight in England would only mean it wouldn't happen.

The whole post is maybes and in hindsights. Hatton said he wanted to fight in America before he fought Floyd he did that. That's the facts.

 

Well said Fluxstuff - I only brought up Hatton rejecting the fight at 140 because Sleazy factored in Hatton fighting at 147 as another example of his 'bravery' when the fact is and everyone knows it no we ain't all lying, he had the opportunity to fight Mayweather at 140 and turned it down.

 

He's made his millions, widely known, faced p4p #1, always showed heart, can't really ask much more except a few last legacy fights. He's huge, however, and can make mega-fights.

If he retires I wouldn't really blame him.

 

He wanted to fight in America before the biggest fight of his life. Ok? Got that bit? Show me the quote of Hatton saying "I want to fight lots of guys just like Mayweather before I fight him". Don't exist do they.
And your point is irrelivant anyway because when hatton fought Maussa, Urango, Collazo and Castillo - the Mayweather fight wasn't even on, so why would he prepare for it with "like" guys? As if that makes any sense anyway - you fight the best guys you can, not fighters who are similar to one's you may or may not fight in the future.

And freshness is the only thing that mattered to Hatton fighting Mayweather of course. He didn't need any more experience, or any thing like that. He should have fought Mayweather when he was 18 really... :roll: 29 not 26... how could such an old man stand a chance?

Because he's a fighter who goes after the biggest challenges he can. The reason I respect him and Haye more than anyone in British boxing.

Exactly, then Floyd fought Oscar and was a draw. Hence waiting 3 years made the fight bigger. Thank you.

Want you are still not getting is that he wanted to fight in America because he didn't want to go over for the biggest fight of his life with no experience of it.

 

The only thing that really matters is that Hatton fought Floyd. :deal
I'll always respect him for that.

 

As much as I appreciate that everyone on the internet knowing something is almost a 100% guarantee of accuracy, it would still be nice if someone could post a link to Ricky or Ray Hatton talking about turning down a fight with Mayweather at 140. I genuinely don't remember the details....

 

So did 38 other guys, i havent seen you blowing smoke up there arsholes. If thats the sole criteria for giving a guy respect when he lost HANDILY then you really shouldnt be watching boxing anymore.

 

I see the other guys point, but totally agree with you!

 

:rofl :rofl :rofl Youre not a star trek fan by any chance?Coz thats a load of **** as well!