--- Rating Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton ---

Scurl exaggerates for effect in calling Ricky a 'club fighter' but he didn't face the top LWWs, lets look at who he fought at 140lbs after becoming champ:

Maussa: worst belt holder of all time
Urango: coming off a controversial gift decision against that Aussie guy
Castillo: innactive shot and coming off a controversial win, I'd disagree that he was a smaller man, he was a big LW
Lazcano: past prime LW with little form, hurts Ricky
Malignaggi: coming off no1 but 2 controversial wins, Ngoudjo beat the crap out of him
Pacquaio: gets destroyed

Now who was at the weight?

Mayweather: P4P no1 - turns the fight down numerous time
Cotto
Witter: ducks him for 8years, the best contender after Cotto/Mayweather moved up

 

Agreed. I wasn't trying to say Collazo was a great fighter. Just that before that fight here in the states, i never really had the chance to see him (Hatton). As his fights from the UK are/weren't televised here.

 

:yep That's for all the **** i sat through on my SKY sub back in the day. **** him and his gravy train.

 

Let me show you about who Ricky turned down in his WBU years:

Corley when he was the WBO champ. Hatton was his mandatory. Corley only had a handful of losses then if i recall and was ranked in the top 10 at 140. He was also a slick southpaw. And we all know about Rickys love of southpaws back then..... Hatton withdrew from his number 1 slot.

Otkay Urkal for the EBU. This was actually a VERY significant fight at the time. As Otkay took Kostya to the brink. And as you know if you win the EBU you get a shot at the WBC. Hatton and Wa.rren nixed the fight and gave up Ricky's shot at the belt. The only domestic belt Hatton won being the Lonsdale. Always good to go the traditional route but guys like Ricky and Joe got to hop and skip their way down Wa.rrens WBO route. Ricky was so popular though that even he could turn down repeated shots at the WBO.

Kelson Pinto for the WBO. Only a few days before this fight was to happen with the unbeaten puncher for whatever reason Wa.rren came back with an absurd excuse that Pinto was no longer available. Naturally of course Pinto was blamed for the fiasco. Ricky went on to face a shot Ray Oliviera. Pinto went on to face a young Cotto and was destroyed by his former foe in a few rounds.

Vivian Harris for the WBA. Yet again Ricky was the mandatory. He turned it down citing the excuse that Harris wanted more than he was worth. Granted Harris was the champion and if i recall he wanted a 50/50 split which seems some what fair as he held the belt. Ricky wanted more. He gave up his position as the mandatory and the negotiations were nixed.

These were all title shots prior to fighting Kostya when Hatton was NOT even Kostya's mandatory for the IBF and was lowered or dropped from the rankings by other belts for his refusal to honour the number 1 slot.

 

The same Oktay Urkal whio won a contrioversial decision over Eamonn Magee in Germany?

The same Magee that Hatton had comprehensively beaten(albeit after taking his first knock down)

 

Irrelevant comparison. Im comparing the TIMES WHEN they fought. Not the commonality in opponent. Otkay was seen back then as a VERY capable operator who caused a PRIME Kostya many problems when they fought. Hatto refused to face him. What you should be explaining is WHY Ricky choose to give up a fight for a prestigious belt like that but when it suited him picked and choose who he fought when he finally went for a world title shot.
Most fighters would jump at the chance to win a world title. Ricky turned down 3 shots at a major belt prior to beating Kostya. That's not the hall mark of a fighter looking to make his mark on the sport. He was a comfort fighter no more or less. And you fell for his act.
As for Hatton comprehensively beating Magee id like to highlight the 2nd or 3rd round when Micky Vann ( Whom Magee nearly nixed the fight because of Hattons penchant for Vann referring many of his fights ) for whatever reason stopped the action when Ricky was on ***** street and clearly hurt by Magee's barrage of punches. Ricky was given every advantage on his way up.

 

All very well slating him for his early competition but its a whole career that a fighter is ultimatly judged on and ricky blatantly had a very good career in the sport. Really quite simple.

 

When you look at his career ultimately it lacks alot of substance.

 

Your opinion, i think it's arse but you're entitled to it.

 

There's a world of difference between mine and your's. I think i can safely say mine is an informed opinion that deals with the FACTS as they have presented themself throughout Rickys career. You on the other hand are clearly a cheer leader. When you're able to refute anything iv posted let me know. Problem is iv watched Rickys entire career. You just picked and choose the bits you liked.

 

You know sod all. Im 35 and followed him from very early on.Cheer leader my arse

 

That makes you an even bigger idiot.

 

That at least raised a smile

 

Calzaghe 46-0 and p4p 3 behind may and pac towards the end of his career
David Haye unified cruiserweight champ, beat everyone significant in the division, and Clinton Woods + Witter were also world champs at the time and Gavin Rees had also just won WBA light welterweight title so Britain clearly had good boxers AT THE TIME despite what happened to them, post-may Hatton