Is Hatton shot? Should he retire?

[Davro]

I personally don't think so.

He was out of his depth against the two elite fighters of the decade, which is essentially no shame. To get KOd by Floyd was quite embarrassing though, bearing in mind Floyd was not even looking for a KO, but anyone in the ring with Pacquiao is in danger of being knocked out in any round. Anyone who knew anything about boxing wouldn't have given Hatton a chance against those two fighters.

However, other people say that Hatton's demise has been very apparent, and is coming at the end his career. Basically, although he was up against class opponents, he failed to land decent punches on either Floyd or Pac, and was TOTALLY out of his depth. Is this the result of years of boozing and poor diet...and is his chin shot and vulnerable?? Given the comments from his parents, and the absence of any strong backroom staff now, is it a good time to retire?

I still think Hatton has plenty to give both British and world boxing. The fight with Khan would sell out stadiums up and down Britain, there's still the Witter question etc. Then there's Timothy Bradley who embarrassed Witter, holds two belts, and the only challenge for Hatton at 140lbs.

Hatton can still be a world champion, and still has at least three more fights left in him (IMHO). Outside of Pacquiao and PBF, Hatton is the best there is, and can still go on ruling the division whilst knowing he is no match for Mayweather and Pacquiao, who have their own business to get down to. For Hatton to finish with any kind of legacy, he has to win a (British) 'superfight' versus Amir Khan, and then win the belts off Tim Bradley. Then he can retire a great champion, who was simply dominated by two ATGs - if he retires now he will forever be remembered as a Naz style loser who couldn't cut it with the big boys - and it's up to Hatton now to prove that he still can.

[El Cepillo]

Yes & Yes.

[mike464]

He's not shot. He was the best Ricky Hatton ever it's just that Pacquiao is much, much better than him.

[Betty Swollocks]

not shot, he was just never that good but the muppets were sold by the fights against Steven Smith etc.

[9Ball]

He's not shot. He was the best Ricky Hatton ever

Are you nuts!!!!
Hatton has never been the same since Zoo...his punch resistance is now probably only 10% of what it was before.
He should retire before he suffers permanent brain damage, that would be a disaster.

Imagine him in against someone like Katsides, it would be a war which Ricky would eventually lose and he could take an enormous amount of punishment...so very easy to hit.

[trotter]

Yes and yes. Clearly not the fighter of five years ago. Hardly surprising that a 31 year old pressure fighter has declined is it.

Time to go.

[Davro]

Not shot, just exposed as a step below elite level IMO!

I agree mostly.

But he got KOd against a feather fisted Floyd, punching on the backfoot. He got KOd by Pacquiao faster than it took him to KO his 120lb opponents, infact faster than most of any of his opponents.

Many fans predicted the end would hit Hatton like a juggernaught, that his pub lifestyle would do him no favours at the business end of his career. He didn't just get beat by Pac and Floyd, he was totally exposed by them - he didn't even land punches on them. His chin caved in quicker than any of their other opponents - Floyd got his first KO since Gatti years before, and Pacquiao got his first KO in 3 rounds since Morales three yrs ago. When you add the factor that Pacquiao was stepping up a division, it is even more incredible.

It could just be that Hatton's demise as a boxer is coinciding with his venture against the world elites. Beating Malignaggi convincingly was enough to assuage the doubts following Floyd, but he needs to do it again now after what Pac did to him.

Is he the same fighter that battered Kostya Tszyu, is he still capable of that? Or is he suffering from his diet, does he lack the capacity for twelve round onslaughts and is his chin shot?? He still has goals to achieve and questions to answer if he is up to the challenge.

[mike464]

Are you nuts!!!!
Hatton has never been the same since Zoo...his punch resistance is now probably only 10% of what it was before.
He should retire before he suffers permanent brain damage, that would be a disaster.

Imagine him in against someone like Katsides, it would be a war which Ricky would eventually lose and he could take an enormous amount of punishment...so very easy to hit.This was a different Ricky Hatton from the old Ricky Hatton. Under Floyd Sr he actually speeded Malignaggi! Pacquiao is just a lot better than Hatton. When he drops back to his normal level of competition he's look good again.

[Davro]

This was a different Ricky Hatton from the old Ricky Hatton. Under Floyd Sr he actually speeded Malignaggi! Pacquiao is just a lot better than Hatton. When he drops back to his normal level of competition he's look good again.

Pacquiao is a lot better than most boxers. He is a lot better than David Diaz, but didn't KO him in two rounds. He didn't KO Marquez in two whole fights.

Dont forget Hatton was knocked down twice prior to the KO - it s was an ass whoopin of the higest level. Hatton had no chance in hell of lasting the distance with Pac, where other (lighter) fighters can and have done - why is that?

Would Pac have simply done the same to the Hatton who fought out of his skin against Tszyu that night?

And Tszyu was no fanny - how did Hatton take his shots for 11 rounds, and then fall on the floor v Floyd's light slaps, and get put on his back three times in two rounds v Pac??

Chin? Diet? Age? General decline? They are no doubt superb fighters, but their fights with Hatton were far easier than their fights with other opponents - and why is that?

Malignaggi has no power. There is a very real danger that Khan could KO Hatton if his chin is vulnerable. If Hatton is not on the decline, he has to prove it - they were indeed two ATG opponents, but they beat him too bad to not have any suspicions.

[mike464]

Would Pac have simply done the same to the Hatton who fought out of his skin against Tszyu that night?

And Tszyu was no fanny - how did Hatton take his shots for 11 rounds, and then fall on the floor v Floyd's light slaps, and get put on his back three times in two rounds v Pac??Because Mayweather and Pacquiao are much faster than Zoo. Especially an old Zoo.

[SouthpawSlayer]

he is finished

[LHL]

I wouldn't really be bothered if he done either

[Davro]

Because Mayweather and Pacquiao are much faster than Zoo. Especially an old Zoo.

I don't really get the point.

Hatton still took several extremely hard punches to the head v Tszyu, but didn't take many v Pacquiao. Mayweather's punches were basic jabs and hooks and he found himself sprawled on the floor.

He took powerful punches against Tszyu, but somehow can't anymore.

[BURNLEYBLUE]

This was a different Ricky Hatton from the old Ricky Hatton. Under Floyd Sr he actually speeded Malignaggi! Pacquiao is just a lot better than Hatton. When he drops back to his normal level of competition he's look good again.
Dont think Mawether snr improved Hatton in the slightest.Not blaming him for the pac defeat but he tried to turn Ricky into a slick speedster, something he was never guna be. Hatton always slipped inside shots his weight was on his front foot and his aponent under pressure. Mayweather had him pulling back off shots and throwing reflex counters. Nulifying all his strengths imo. He needed a trainer change to inject new enthusiasm his camps had become tired. But Mayweather snr was all wrong for him.

[D-MAC]

I'd say he could still get back in the mix (alphabet title wise), but his punch resistance has declined pretty rapidly (evident against Lazcano, not so much against feather fisted Paulie for obvious reasons).

LWW, while solid, is not a division packed with real top class fighters (elite category). I know that Mayweather, Marquez and Pac are floating in and about there, but he's not gonna get any of those fights, and who would want to see them (a murder picture for Hatton - all three of them). I'd give him a decent chance against the likes of Bradley, Kotelnik and friends.

If Khan beats Kotelnik I'm sure Hatton is a fight that ****** will seriously be looking at for Amir, not immediately but a couple more bouts down the line (just to build it up).


I have to admit that I would love to see Witter grab a title and finally get it on with Hatton.

[LHL]

I'd say he could still get back in the mix (alphabet title wise), but his punch resistance has declined pretty rapidly (evident against Lazcano, not so much against feather fisted Paulie for obvious reasons).

He marked up pretty bad against Paulie in the first 2 or 3 rounds his eye was almost closed over. Hatton used to take a good solid beating and not mark up as bad.

[itrymariti]

Np; Yes.

Ricky Hatton on May 2nd was the same as always. Even in his prime he behaved in the same way: no jab, low guard, telegraphed shots, chin up in the air etc. So he's not shot just because he got exposed by a P4P fighter.

He should retire because he's made plenty of money and he's not going to achieve anything more. The only thing left for him to accomplish in the sport is becoming a P4P top fighter, and that just ain't happening.

[D-MAC]

He marked up pretty bad against Paulie in the first 2 or 3 rounds his eye was almost closed over. Hatton used to take a good solid beating and not mark up as bad.

I was thinking punch resistance of the leg buckling variety.

Of course he'll mark up more due a deterioration in whatever reflexes he previously possessed, and also due to a lack of movement to avoid the punches. Hatton hasn't really fought up on his toes since the Kostya fight.

[LHL]

I was thinking punch resistance of the leg buckling variety.

Of course he'll mark up more due a deterioration in whatever reflexes he previously possessed, and also due to a lack of movement to avoid the punches. Hatton hasn't really fought up on his toes since the Kostya fight.

yeah was just thinking the amount of punches he has taken his face will get marked up a bit more now.

[Guy]

"No one will influence me, not even my parents." Ricky Hatton

[Chinny]

I might get a lot of shit for mentioning this in this thread, but I watched Hearns-Duran again today. As you know, Duran was completely dominated, floored twice in the first and knocked senseless in the second. He was 32.

I know I know

Duran is Duran. Ricky Hatton is a million miles from that, but he can still fight if he wants to. Lets get some perspective here. Bad losses can happen.

[BURNLEYBLUE]

I was thinking punch resistance of the leg buckling variety.

Of course he'll mark up more due a deterioration in whatever reflexes he previously possessed, and also due to a lack of movement to avoid the punches. Hatton hasn't really fought up on his toes since the Kostya fight.
Hattons always marked up. All through his career. He could completely dominate and end up looking like the looser. Pale, see through skin, face first style. He does'nt cut up as much since they removed that solidified vasaline,but nothings changed.And your final statement is way off mate.:-(

[BURNLEYBLUE]

I might get a lot of shit for mentioning this in this thread, but I watched Hearns-Duran again today. As you know, Duran was completely dominated, floored twice in the first and knocked senseless in the second. He was 32.

I know I know

Duran is Duran. Ricky Hatton is a million miles from that, but he can still fight if he wants to. Lets get some perspective here. Bad losses can happen.
:goodI brought this fight up on another thread. Not a million miles away.
Very similar infact.

[D-MAC]

Hattons always marked up. All through his career. He could completely dominate and end up looking like the looser. Pale, see through skin, face first style. He does'nt cut up as much since they removed that solidified vasaline,but nothings changed.And your final statement is way off mate.:-(

How so?

Not arguing with you, just wanting an explanation. You may know more than me in this area, but from my point of view he seemed to bounce around the ring more before the Kostya fight, but became a lot more flat-footed after.

[Chinny]

:goodI brought this fight up on another thread. Not a million miles away.
Very similar infact.

sorry, I didn't see your post linking the two, I promise I thought of it all on my own!

[BURNLEYBLUE]

How so?

Not arguing with you, just wanting an explanation. You may know more than me in this area, but from my point of view he seemed to bounce around the ring more before the Kostya fight, but became a lot more flat-footed after.
I know what your saying mate. There were fights were the movement was'nt there,the angles,the side steps to open the body. but then he'd give us Castillo,Back to script.I agree the Kostya night was prob his peak performance.But I think Mayweather Snr was never the man for Ricky Hatton.

[BURNLEYBLUE]

sorry, I didn't see your post linking the two, I promise I thought of it all on my own!
No i meant the comparison not the post:lol:

[D-MAC]

I know what your saying mate. There were fights were the movement was'nt there,the angles,the side steps to open the body. but then he'd give us Castillo,Back to script.I agree the Kostya night was prob his peak performance.But I think Mayweather Snr was never the man for Ricky Hatton.

Fair enough:good

And in hindsight yes, Mayweather Snr did little for Hatton.

[lito]

no! hatton is not shot. he just happened to fight a fighter of superior skill. remember that hatton only lost once in his natural weight. to say that he is shot is premature. there were many fighters who lost their respective belts but were successful it regaining it.

[FrochPascal]

hatton should retire. FULL STOP. Its not that he couldnt beat any guys out there, its just health wise- hes awful habits outside the ring( binge eating and drinking) could seriously have an effect now that hes been brutally ko'd twice in 4 fights and continuous to use hes head as hes defence.

[Darni187]

Hatton should retire, £40m+ is not bad for the rest of his days.

[Betty Swollocks]

I might get a lot of shit for mentioning this in this thread, but I watched Hearns-Duran again today. As you know, Duran was completely dominated, floored twice in the first and knocked senseless in the second. He was 32.

I know I know

Duran is Duran. Ricky Hatton is a million miles from that, but he can still fight if he wants to. Lets get some perspective here. Bad losses can happen.


it should also be noted that Duran was conscious and up again pretty quickly, Hatton was lying motionless on the canvas for minutes, well almost motionless...his lips were opening and closing like a guppy fish.

[9Ball]

it should also be noted that Duran was conscious and up again pretty quickly, Hatton was lying motionless on the canvas for minutes, well almost motionless...his lips were opening and closing like a guppy fish.

If you knew anything about boxing Betty you would know that back then fighters would jump back up pretty quickly because they were allowed to, nowadays as soon as a fighter gets kd'd the ref and cornermen, doctor, ring announcer, peanut seller and dolly bird go and sit on the fighter and stop him from getting up so they can make sure he is 100% ok.

All that said I do think it was a bad ko. Ricky needs to retire now and think of his family rather than his ego or bank balance.

[icemax]

The warning signs were there during the Lazcano fight...I didn't see it but others did....that Hattons punch resistance was going. I don't think that he is shot as such but not far off.

[TheGaut]

hattons punch resistance is gone, all the punches hes taken over the years have had their effect, and i truly believe floyd cracked his chin, from there one it just went downhill. Duran hearns is a good example, but duran was the one moving up in weight and hearns was the much bigger man.

He should retire.

[Welly]

I think it's time for Hatton to hang up his gloves, only I don't think he will. If he does carry on I think it will only be for a farewell fight in Manchester because even Hatton must concede he'll never get back to the elite level in his weight class due to the brutality of his KO defeat at the hands of PacMan.

[Davro]

Hatton should retire, £40m+ is not bad for the rest of his days.

It's not all the money though is it?

£1m would be enough for most of us, especially the humble lifestyle Hatton enjoys, so having £40m or more makes little difference to this decision.

He could fight Khan in a British superfight, and then Timothy Bradley, and if he does both resoundingly he'll be remembered as a true champion who was simply outclassed by two ATGs.

At the moment, if he retires, he's bowing out as a loser who was the victim of his own decisions. His poor diet, his camp switch to Floyd, his battle plan to hunt Pacquiao...all coming to a humiliating end with a 2nd round KO.

At the moment it looks like he's on his last legs, but if he feels he has more to offer and prove, he can bow out a title holder with no-one else to answer to (Floyd and Pac excepted). As it stands, Witter, Khan and Bradley can all smell blood and all would take a Hatton offer right now.

["TKO"]

It's not all the money though is it?

£1m would be enough for most of us, especially the humble lifestyle Hatton enjoys, so having £40m or more makes little difference to this decision.

He could fight Khan in a British superfight, and then Timothy Bradley, and if he does both resoundingly he'll be remembered as a true champion who was simply outclassed by two ATGs.

At the moment, if he retires, he's bowing out as a loser who was the victim of his own decisions. His poor diet, his camp switch to Floyd, his battle plan to hunt Pacquiao...all coming to a humiliating end with a 2nd round KO.

At the moment it looks like he's on his last legs, but if he feels he has more to offer and prove, he can bow out a title holder with no-one else to answer to (Floyd and Pac excepted). As it stands, Witter, Khan and Bradley can all smell blood and all would take a Hatton offer right now.

He's not shot, but the hard fights and the lifestyle are, IMO, catching up with him. Though Pac is a murderous hitter, it was easy to see his punch resistance is not what it used to be.

As for should he retire, yes I think he should. He's 30 years old with a style which is not conducive to fighting well into your 30s. If he hasn't already declined significantly, he is going to shortly and a couple of KO defeats never did anyone any good. He has enough money that neither he nor his kids or grandkids should ever have to work again and has created a good enough career for himself to ensure he'll be remembered in a few years. He probably isn't going to achieve much more (he can't be successful up at welter and fighting the likes of Bradley, Torres, Kotelnik isn't going to add much, he's beaten plenty of those level guys already). Maybe one last "homecoming" fight and then call it quits.

On the other hand, with no fights to train for he'll probably end up 20 stone by Christmas!!!