Ricky Hatton V Junior Witter - Prime for Prime @ Light Welterweight

Hatton wide UD after 1 or 2 dodgy rounds at the start. If Witter wasn't British he'd never get mentioned in the same breath as Hatton.

 

I think talent wise there's an argument to say who is the better boxer.

Career wise Hatton blows him out of the water due to big names and even bigger attendences.

Look closely at their victories though and the names on Witter's record aren't bad at all. Kotelnik, N'Dou, Corley, Harris are very decent.

He deserves to be mentioned as a peer and suitable opponent for Hatton certainly.

I just feel Hatton would stalk and follow Witter until he stops him late on. Witter didn't like a fast pace in a fight. He was unorthodox and Hatton might take a few to land a few but I'd fancy Ricky to get his man in the end.

 

If Hatton fought Maussa or Lazcano or any pre Zoo fighters i don't see why he didn't fight Witter.

 

Witter hasn't had a bad career at all but his wins don't really compare to Hattons IMHO. People pull down JLC when Corely was every bit as past it, or Maussa when when he beat Harris. Theres just more depth at world level on Hattons record and I really don't see this Mayweather-esque counterpuncher that would beat Hatton H2H either.

 

I see Witter's losses to Judah and Bradley are the only reasons given for claiming he couldn't handle Hatton.

He was a novice when he fought Judah (that incarnation of whom would have made a fool of Hatton) and thirty-four when he lost to Bradley...how do you think Hatton will be faring at 34?

Unless Hatton was given free reign to maul at will I'd take a peak, motivated Witter to frustrate him and put him down.

 

Castillo was victim of his previous wars, weight problems and indiscipline. Hatton did what he had to do and produced one of his greatest punches at world level.

That said he was probably less of a challenge than fighting DeMarcus Corley when looking back.

I agree that Hatton had the best career and I feel would beat Junior but there are a lot of wins on Witter's CV (Including Junior's) that would enhance Hatton's CV as well.

 

Where do you see Judah and Bradley being the only reasons given? I take it you missed TKOs post? In between Jadah and Bradley, Witter didn't take on the level of opposition that Hatton beat.

hatton was always going to age quickly, it comes with the style.

 

Witters record is none to solid itself i agree a few tight decisions a couple of terrible off nights but the problem between the 2 fighting is clearly with Hatton.

Alot of people think it would be Hatton Vs a lesser version of Mayweather. I myself see it as Hatton Vs a better version of Magee with less of a chin obviously. Magee give Hatton one of his toughest tests and him and Witter have the same style i just see Witter a little more awkward with a better punch but a lot less active.

 

This isn't really about resume. It's a prime for prime matchup, and a very good and interesting one. Both present problems to each other.

Witter does not like to be forced to work at a pace. He likes time to pick his shots, and Hatton would not allow that. Witter is also not at his best on the inside, the rough stuff would work for Hatton in wearing down Witter whos stamina is already not his greatest attribute.

On the flip side, Hatton does not impress against defensively cute fighters, anybody that is southpaw, or anybody that has handspeed and Witter on his better nights combines all three. I can imagine many of the strange angles Witter finds confusing Hatton who has no defence and is pretty much a basic come forward brawler except for some nice footwork.

I would personally rather be in Witter's corner, I'll take having to struggle on the inside, and potentially struggling down the stretch/losing a points decision for landing my own shots and banking on knockdowns or a KO. I'd rather be working with Witter's weaknesses than Hatton's in this particular styles clash because I don't see Witter as being soft to the body, whereas Hatton is not so good at taking certain punches - only one guy is getting damaged seriously I reckon. I'll gamble on one of my counter-hooks or uppercuts finding the spot rather than having the guy that marauds forward and puts himself at risk all the time.

 

Thats fair enough, I think the Magee/ Witter comparison is a lot more valid than the Mayweather/ Witter one that gets bandied about now and again.

 

Witter could fight cute and be very unorthodox. But he could also be very lazy, inactive and sloppy. Hatton's pace and bully tactics would get to a guy like Junior by the middle rounds I feel and a prime Hatton can take Witter's punches.

Power, activity and determination will always make Witter struggle.

 

The way i see the depends on which Witter shows up. The one that when it all comes together has speed power awkwardness and a good reflexes (Witter UD) or the one we have come accustom to the sloppy lazy one.

But since its a prime for prime fight i go with Witter

 

Why is it assumed that Hatton can take his punches? Because what, he took Tszyu's punches?

It's never an exact science. Tszyu was a very straight puncher, and one that wasn't particularly effective going backwards. Witter is more likely to find the punches from an angle Hatton does not see, and never has seen, for whatever reason.

In short Witter has quite a unique attacking arsenal.

 

And to think I promised myself this afternoon that I'd stay out of this thread......

 

To be fair your the only Hatton fan that actually debates fair play :good