From My point of view Ricky was more popular than he was talented. The move to 147 was a poor choice , as he was never a big 140 fighter. The fighter vs Collazo (who only had 3 weeks training) was really his first loss and he was never the same again. However having taken the above into consideration Ricky then hung pretty tight with an Absolute prime Floyd for 7 rounds , so I might be wrong on the talent side. I think at 140 he is probably a top 15 at best , but there were so many fighters passing through 140 rather than building a career. peace.
He may not have been the best 140 in the UK at his best, Junior Witter was all wrong for him. When Ricky got his shot against an over the hill and halfway down it Tyszu, the other champs were Vivian Harris WBA who Ricky would have beat, Money with the WBC and Cotto at the WBO who would beat him. In modern era Pacman Crawford, Provdokinov, Bradley all beat him, Torres and Kendal Holt maybe JCC mullers him. Id say between 15 and 20
Not very high imo. The list of junior welters in history who would beat Hatton is pretty long. I disagree with the above poster about Provodnikov though... Hatton would have beaten the very crude Provo. Hatton-Bradley would have been a close fight. I do think Bradley could pull it out if he boxed. In a war, Hatton has the edge. But yeah, Crawford would have dismantled Hatton.
Hatton wasn't that good. He had a loyal and electric fanbase and received alot of spotlight compared to his actual level of ability however.
