Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton - How will history judge him?

Rounds 1 and 2 vs Pacquiao..THAT IS ALL.

 

In the UK a legend in the USA an average brawler with a large support

 

Don't forget the turnbuckle...


All joke aside, I think he'll be remembered as a damn good tough as nails fighter whose only losses came against the #1 P4P at the time...Having a large fan base such as he did, is great for his legacy as well...

 

A mini Tyson? You got to be kidding.

Almost as bad as when Lacy's promoter said "I see a 168 pound Mike Tyson."

 

Ricky's a world class fighter and a great two weight world champ with some great names on his record.

It wouldn't suprise me if he ends up a bit of an Ernie Shavers. If it wasn't for the fact he came up against two all time greats at their peak, he could have been one himself.

Is that analogy a bit unfair?

 

Of course, to us Brits, he'll always be an all time great!

 

He'll be remembered as good fighter who upset a great in the weightclass, and had a good run as champ. wont ever be considered elite though because when he did step up to that level he got KO'd. I think he'll mainly be remembered as a good fighter but a champion of the people because of his personality.

 

Not at all; sorry for this but I just have to - "mate"

 

He will be remembered as a very good fighter who fought Floyd Mayweather too high in weight, and then maybe fought Pacman too soon after that. Had Ricky stayed at 140 he would have had a much longer career and done very well.

 

tough call! before his 2 loses he was very highly rated, and remember a thread in classic pitting himagainst pryor at 140 with many giving Ricky a chance! Now if you posted that thread you would be laughed at, for even thinking of it. You would think that 2 loses against p4p # 1 guys wouldn't hurt your legacy that much..but in Hattons case it has. I can't remember 2 loses hurting a guys legacy anymore than these have done to Hatton.

For me he was the top 140 lb'r for 3 years, which due to his style seems about right! He was always entertaining, always ready to fight (ignoring he only knew how to hug debaters) and gave his best. I never felt robbed by watching him fight.

Now it's hard to say weather or not 10 years time will be kind to him (Like Lennox Lewis) or hard to him (Like Alan Minter)! I don't see how you can rate him with the cream of the class like Pryor, but I don't believe their is an era he would not have been competitive in either and possible hold the title then as well. For me and I have no official list top 20-25 LWW, and would probably fall just outside or inside of a top 200 fighter (again keep in mind I have no offical list or plans to make one).

 

world class boxer but not a great boxer like the 2 he lost against

you dont become a 2 weight world champion and make a number of defences by being an average or good boxer. you need to be a top class boxer

he will be remembered as a boxer who fought with a lot of heart but just lacked that final gear he needed to be great

 

In that case do you judge Roberto Duran on his 2 round defeat to Hearns?

To say Hatton was overrated and use defeats to Mayweather and Pacquiao as an example is silly. He has good wins over decent/good fighters such as Urango, Collazo, Malignaggi and that outstanding win over Tyzsu. He was the best light welterweight in the world for a good few years and with good reason. He was a decent boxer, a very good mauler and could have been rated much higher had he been in a different weightclass or era.

 

World class boxer, but not a great.

He had some very good wins, but to be honest when he stepped up in competition, even before the Mayweather fight, he was looking limited. He had resorted to hit and hold tactics.

Still I respect the hell out of him for seeking out the best competition and taking them on, and I really liked him as a fighter.