The difference between Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe

They announced Hatton as the IBO champion on his show, didn't think that was much to be proud of really!

 

Your position is that the WBO title was a 'major recognised world title' at the time Calzaghe was defending it for a decade?

 

I don't consider the WBO a world title myself, full stop.

But some of the opponents Joe was beating WERE world class - guys like Reid, Woodhall and a few others.

I suppose Hatton's WBU reign had some world class opponents in, but less % than Calzaghe's, IMO.

I would suggest that the calibre of opponent each have faced since Jan. 05 would rest in Hatton's favour.

 

Your argument seems to hinge on the fact that you believe that the WBO title at the time held by Calzaghe was a 'legitimate world title' but the WBU title at the time held by Hatton was not.

Just trying to confirm my understanding of a point directly relevent to your opening argument.

 

This seems far more relevant to me than what letters were on the front of the belts that both were defending at the time and claiming as 'world titles'.

 

Its true Calzaghe could have moved up to light-heavy to increase his chances of getting a shot at Roy Jones. But would that have helped? as he was a complete unknown in America until he beat Jeff Lacy.

He could have made the jump at anytime from Super-middleweight. Calzaghe was calling people out names as far back as 2000 (Jones included) but nobody was listening...

Was Jones really seeking out challenges during that period? Seemed to me he was pissing around waiting for an easy Heavyweight title holder he could school and "make history"

Only way Joe could have made that fight was if he ditched his SMW belt and became Roys mandatory.

 

Hater :good

 

As above, although I attach some importance to title, quality of opposition far more relevant than the letters on the front of whatever belt the fighter is hawking at the time.

If, in 2001, instead of beating Tony Pep for the vacant WBU title, Hatton had instead beaten Felix Flores for the vacant WBO title, but the rest of his career remained the same, that wouldn't affect how I eveluate his record at all. Likewise, if Calzaghe had happened to pick up the WBU rather than WBO belt, that wouldn't cause me to see his career more positively.

It seems a bizzare argument that it should.