ricky hatton vs timothy bradley

i'll go hatton close decision at 140 and bradley wider at 147, both their actual 147 versions and if they moved up in their primes

 

I'll take Hatton minus the coke to win.

 

Stylistically this would favour Hatton. A close decision win seems like the easy choice here.

 

Bradley.

 

At the time most would have favoured Hatton, but now most will favour Bradley.

 

I side with a Bradley close points win. Bradley is more consistent with the jab that could trouble Hatton's forward momentum. Bradley uses the jab to the body and a single jab fired with the in-out footwork which are good tools in stopping a fighter rhythm.

Hatton has the workrate and great body punches he's no pushover. But Bradley showed his versatility against Provodnikov went back to the jab to win many of the mid rounds when he was clearly buzzed and should have been exhausted (that guy has some gas tank). Hatton will swarm but Bradley is not above wrestling or leading with his head in the clinch (see the Manny and Campbell fights). Bradley had good inside flurries and a deceptive right hand vs Peterson who tried to crowd him at 140lbs.

I disagree with the earlier comment about Bradley being made for Hatton. Juan Urango was made to order for Hatton - a peek-a-boo, plodding forward fighter. Hatton won a shut out easily but that was an ugly clinch fest. Sometimes Hatton looked fantastic early on but won real ugly in the later rounds (vs Lazcano and Collazo). To be fair, Hatton looked the goods vs Castillo and showcased his body punching.

 

Tim Bradley has become one of the more overrated fighters of recent times, whilst Hatton has become underrated because all people remember him for is the Floyd and Pac losses.

Circa 05 Hatton beats Bradley at 140. Yes, Bradley is competitive, but I think Hatton does more damage throughout and wins a clear decision.

140 I think is the fair weight to gauge them at, because BOTH were at their peaks as junior welters.

Bradley has certainly had better longevity than Hatton, but that's not surprising. Timmy leads a clean life, while Hatton lived a life of booze, food, and coke.

Still doesn't change the fact that Hatton in his brief prime was better than Bradley.

 

ricky certainly has the upperhand if he can use his bar darts. :evil:

 

Hatton 05 was indeed a very good fighter. I miss his crisp body combos and inside footwork. Once he won the title Hatton tended to clinch more often and spoil his own work. He had a short prime.

 

I've got Bradley. He was very legit at 140.