If Hatton can get to 80% of what he was, he'd compete better with Bradley than Paulie

I think I'd disagree purely because Bradley seems to be a physically strong dude and Hatton's style tends to rely heavily on his physical strength. Bradley doesn't have a big punch, but he is strong. Malignaggi is a physically weaker fighter and Hatton was able to bully him and go straight through his shots to beat him up. Bradley may be able to compete, though I don't think he has the infighting ability; Hatton also hits harder than Bradley by a fair distance so maybe that would even up the strength issue. I know Bradley has fast hands but so (did) Hatton - he was surprisingly quick of hand and foot.

I think Hatton still walks through Malignaggi and hammers him... his footwork was always his best attribute and against either of them he gets inside and starts pounding...he does better against Malignaggi there than Bradley IMO.

To be honest though what kind of fighter do you need to be to beat Hatton at anything close to his best? A SUPERB boxer with GREAT defence and respectable power, incredible speed, quite brilliant ring IQ and adaptability with better infighting skills than people give him credit for (Mayweather) OR an offensive BEAST with great speed, awkward punching angles and power tripled in effectiveness when your opponent comes to you (Pacquiao). If you lack the power, speed or the boxing ability to keep Hatton off you then you are in for a hard fight unless you a strong mo fo. Bradley may be a stronger man physically (though I am not convinced it's not just all in his upper body and for show [leg power and strength is so important for a physical fighter; I know this from personal experience] so it would be interesting). But I think Malignaggi just lacks the pop and strength to deal with the bull that is Hatton, especially when he cuts the ring off so well.

Of course, all this assumes Hatton is anywhere close to what he was. I think the comeback is a bad idea. He has been out for 3 years as a fat *******, eating curries, drinking guiness and doing drugs. **** that.

 

he aint gettin to 80% Bradley will ko him if they ever fight

 

The old Ricky would beat Maidana. He'd outbox him like he did Urango. If he's anywhere near the form that he used to have then he'd do it. In fact, I recommended Maidana for his comeback fight. Maidana is not the monster people make him out to be. He has very limited boxing ability. Very limited!

Lucas is a different fish altogether.

 

bradley would batter hatton senseless. who would want to see that. a feather-fisted fighter is hattons only chance. but even paulie showed some power last time out.

 

They way he left, and the reasons he gives for coming back, have me convinced he doesn't have the fire anymore. I'd love to be proven wrong but I see this as Ray Mancini said. He was sitting in the dressing room for a comeback fight and started thinking, "What the xxxx have I done?" He gets a couple wins so he goes out that way instead of on a brutal KO.

 

You are setting yourself up for disappointment my friend. It's like with Jones Jr. when he came back after Tarver 3, all of the amazing moments in his career get you thinking he can come back and be a force if he gets his mind and body right and it turns out disastrous when he faces a live body. I just think after the beatings Floyd and Manny put on him, and the years of drinking, coke, and huge weight swings have dropped Hatton's physical abilities to **** levels. I'd love to see him come back and prove me wrong but there is only so much abuse and neglect an elite athlete's body can take before the greatness is gone forever.