What would be more damaging to Hatton's legacy?

It depends when he got the chance against Cotto.

Perhaps he was mindful of his previous mistake, and for that, I can't fault him.

But - the 140 version of Cotto wasn't/isn't fit to lace the boots of the 147 version, and I would have backed Witter to do him.

 

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/boxing/tm_headline=witter-ricky-can-t-avoid-me-now&method=full&objectid=20314918&siteid=93463-name_page.html

 

Don't buy that lot for a second - he lost because Zab was better than him on the evening. Nobody put a gun to his head and forced him to take the fight, and if he wasn't ready, the IBF would have kyboshed him.

A fight between Witter and Cotto will never happen. Not in a million years.

 

Beeston, I think Hatton will make almost as much money facing Witter here as he would facing Paulie at MSG. Paulie isn't a big draw either(and hatton isn't a big PPV star on his in the US as his numbers without Mayweather have shown). Hatton is the money whoever he faces so it really is a case of one being easier to beat than the other when it comes down to it, which is what risk/reward really means). I know there have been plenty of instances where fighters, even champions turn down fights for this very reason. Not often is the person turned down met with such derision and the champion lauded for taking that action.

 

Well - Paulie would be much easier for Hatton to beat!

Witter has a bit of pop, though not as much as people think, and his style would make it a nightmare.

That said, I would still expect Ricky to prevail against Witter, and feel the fight should happen.

My earlier point was that Witter is making himself look silly with all the chitchat, and making it easy for Hatton (and others) to stay out of his way.

 

No ones lauding Hatton for turning down Witter, they just don't think its the big deal that some of the haters do.

 

Not fighting a guy ranked #1 in your division for ANY reason is not acceptable, and it is a big deal

It is laughable it has got to this stage without them ever having fought

 

Witters the number 2 and after the Lazcano fight Hatton will be facing the number 3. Thats good enough for me.

 

it's also the way he's gone anout ducking Witter, which by the way I've called for over 5 years. I could see in those clips together that Hatton didn't fancy it, he looks very uncomfortable in those Youtube clips.

anyway, had Hatton just come out and admitted he didn't want to face Witter then it would be better than the years of lame excuses, wriggling and squirming and generally being a sneaky and manipulative opportunist who has had an appalling attitude to a good, honest pro like Witter all along.
it's totally unacceptable.

 

Probably because you're an apologist. I wouldn't mind that either, if Hatton was actually making noises like he MIGHT fight Witter in the future, but he sounds more and more like a commonly found farm animal every time he opens his fat mouth

I repeat, it is laughable two British fighters are ranked Champion and number 1 (By Ring) without ever having fought when they live 40 miles apart. Laughable, embarrassing and inexcusable

 

Never fighting him!

 

Are you sure I'm an apologist and not just a "**** sucker"? I read your charming little post in General Forum, if you're going to insult people in the Brit forum then at least have the balls to come in here to do it.

 

I'm not so sure about honest pro - certainly a good (if not very good one) - but I have never heard so much bull**** in all my born days as I have heard from that clown in the past 12 months.

 

and what bull**** is that mate?

 

I'm not sure how much 'balls' I need to insult somebody over the Internet. It's pretty easy, havn't you noticed? Besides, I wasn't referring to you, but I guess you are paranoid and have something to hide?