Where's Ricky??

[Guy]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[FLINT ISLAND]

Tenerife

with his girlfriend - the "hollow inside" Jennifer Dooley.

[Guy]

It's been a while with no word...... he's either undecided about what to do or he wants to 'forget' about the Pac fight and pretend it didn't happen.

[PrideOfWales]

Sales of Guinness in Tenerife have soared lately.

[Kid Lucky]

I don't think it's been that long, he's entitled to a long break before deciding what to do next.

He may not have decided what he wants to do but if he were to want to carry on he'd need to have a trainer lined up and possibly a fight in mind too.

[FLINT ISLAND]

there's no spin he can put on the pac fight

he was just knocked out in the cleanest way there is

there are no excuses

he was hit with such force - his body folded and he was gone

he just werent durable enough to take that force of punch

but also it wasnt just the one "lucky" punch

he was nearly bowled over in the 1st round

he was outclassed

and now there is nothing more he can put a "spin" on

at his best he was a World no 1 light welterweight

but now he is yesterdays man

and he has been outclassed in a fight for the "pound for pound" title

[Guy]

He's never really gone into detail why he made the mistakes he did.

I know he was outclassed but surely he must look at his performance and be able to dissect what happened.

[PrideOfWales]

He's never really gone into detail why he made the mistakes he did.

I know he was outclassed but surely he must look at his performance and be able to dissect what happened.

He has learned from Amir Khan and Enzo Mackrinelli - they got world title shots after been knocked out bbecause of "a mistake".

[safc1990]

there's no spin he can put on the pac fight

he was just knocked out in the cleanest way there is

there are no excuses

he was hit with such force - his body folded and he was gone

he just werent durable enough to take that force of punch

but also it wasnt just the one "lucky" punch

he was nearly bowled over in the 1st round

he was outclassed

and now there is nothing more he can put a "spin" on

at his best he was a World no 1 light welterweight

but now he is yesterdays man

and he has been outclassed in a fight for the "pound for pound" title

He was distracted by the feuding in camp between Mayweather Sr and Beard, didn't you know? ;)

[SouthpawSlayer]

there's no spin he can put on the pac fight

he was just knocked out in the cleanest way there is

there are no excuses

he was hit with such force - his body folded and he was gone

he just werent durable enough to take that force of punch

but also it wasnt just the one "lucky" punch

he was nearly bowled over in the 1st round

he was outclassed

and now there is nothing more he can put a "spin" on

at his best he was a World no 1 light welterweight

but now he is yesterdays man

and he has been outclassed in a fight for the "pound for pound" title

:deal

[almsn]

I hope he comes back.This has been a s--t couple of weeks for boxing.Haye Khan and Mayweather fights all cancelled plus setanta's got dramas.Hatton'll probably be still drowning his sorrows the same he said he did after the Mayweather fight

[Dunky McCafferty]

Hatton should have a warm up fight, then a final showdown with Junior Witter.
Hattons legacy has been shaken to its foundations, what better way than beating your domestic nemesis to go out on a high?

I cant think of a better way for both Hatton & Witter to bow out of the sport, both are nearing the end now & IMO, its the only fight that makes sense.
Hattons fans IMO will still turn out for that one I believe, but not much else.

From being a 'boil on Rickys arse' Junior Witter now is Hattons last chance of making a killer last payday, & going out on a high in boxing. Dare I say it, but Hatton NEEDS Witter now...

[GazOC]

If Hatton decides to continue then Bradley is the opponent he should go for IMHO. A fight with Bradley will tell him exactly what he's got left, hes a straight forward fighter and will provide the type of fight that Hatton will win if he's got a decent amount left but will lose if he hasn't.

TBH Dunks I don't think Hatton needs Witter anymore than he has at any point in his career, a fight against any belt holder in Manchester is still going to be a big seller.

[Dunky McCafferty]

If Hatton decides to continue then Bradley is the opponent he should go for IMHO. A fight with Bradley will tell him exactly what he's got left, hes a straight forward fighter and will provide the type of fight that Hatton will win if he's got a decent amount left but will lose if he hasn't.

TBH Dunks I don't think Hatton needs Witter anymore than he has at any point in his career, a fight against any belt holder in Manchester is still going to be a big seller.

Dont get me wrong Gaz, Bradley would be the bigger win on paper. However, Hatton has his good wins on paper, picked up many belts & as I admit even as a hater, hes got a fine record & could retire tomorrow happy with his achievements.
However, boxing is a cruel sport as you well know, & people will only remember Ricky for failing against the very best, & never fighting his domestic nemesis in many peoples eyes.
Ricky could have a swansong, fight a Bradley in Manchester, & retire with another belt, & another good scalp if things went well of course, & nothing is guaranteed.

However, from a personal point of view, I think he could go out a hero with a win over Junior Witter. A sellout warm up fight, an announcement that he going to put Junior Witter in his place once & for all... I think it would be massive both financially & legacy wise. he may have not beaten the very best, but beating Junior Witter? It would earn Hatton massive kudos in his homeland, & what better way to bow out, with two sell out stadiums?
Im just thinking out loud really, but I think legacy wise, beating Junior Witter in a 'grudge match' would earn him back much of the respect he has lost in recent times, more so than a Bradley win & then retirement.

& thats if he even beats Bradley of course, cos the guy proved against Witter that hes an awkward SOB to fight.

A farewell against Bradley or Witter? I know which one the public would choose... Dont you think?

[GazOC]

I agree Dunks, I think he'll be remembered for losing to Mayweather and Pac but not fighting Witter will be well behind the things he actually did achieve in boxing when people come to properly assess his career. I def. don't think he needs to fight Witter as some sort redemption for losing to PBF and Pac, his career can stand for what it is (or isn't!!) on its own merits and a fight agianst Witter when both men are past their prime shouldn't change anything.

For instance, when people discuss Tony Sibson he's remembered for the Hagler loss, then wins against the top Yanks, Minter, Kaylor and his European title. Only when you dig really deep you get to the footnote of "Oh, and he didn't fight Herol Graham". A few internet obsessives aside;), Hattons in pretty much the same boat with Witter IMHO.

On a side note I can't see Hatton, having taken delight in not giving Witter a fight for all these years, suddenly changing his mind at this stage of things and, unlike a few years back, I really don't think theres any massive clamour from the public (as opposed to boxing fans) these days for a Hatton-Witter fight, Bradley would sell just as well.

[Carnage]

Sales of Guinness in Tenerife have soared lately.
And hes only on his second round...

[Jeff Young]

it hasnt been that long.....oscar didnt retire till april....and the pac fight for him was dec....

i think hatton will fight one more time, i did read a report where his mum and his girlfriend are urging him to retire....but hatton is very torn on what to do, this was coming from a close manchester source...i read.

[Akxtinguish]

From being a 'boil on Rickys arse' Junior Witter now is Hattons last chance of making a killer last payday

So much for not wanting to give Witter a payday.

[Guy]

Either Bradley or Witter would be a great victory to finish of with but who would you suggest as a warm up fight?
It would have to be someone who could offer some quality resistance without been a dangerous fight, that way we/he could see how much is really left without getting humiliated.
It's difficult to judge when you've only been beaten by the best out there.

[Guy]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Ricky was shipping a lot of punishment back then in 2000, it's not surprising his body doesn't want it anymore:think

[dan-b]

I'm not sure why some people feel he's obligated to give a decision on his future in a specified time period. Personally I think he might be waiting until after the Kotelnik v Khan fight.

[Lee Mc]

Sales of Guinness in Tenerife have soared lately.

Back in 2003 I was charged 5 euros for a pint of guinness in tenerife... :roll:

[Guy]

Back in 2003 I was charged 5 euros for a pint of guinness in tenerife... :roll:


I imagine it's probably about 7.50 now..

[GazOC]

So much for not wanting to give Witter a payday.

IMHO the Witter fight is no more likely now than it has been for the last 5 years. I really don't see that Hatton needs Witter to either a) get another belt before he retires, b) earn well in his last fight c) have a high profile fight in Manchester before he retires and I think those will be the 3 things that keep him fighting. I think he's very unlikely to "cave in" now and give the Witter the fight at this point.

[Akxtinguish]

IMHO the Witter fight is no more likely now than it has been for the last 5 years. I really don't see that Hatton needs Witter to either a) get another belt before he retires, b) earn well in his last fight c) have a high profile fight in Manchester before he retires and I think those will be the 3 things that keep him fighting. I think he's very unlikely to "cave in" now and give the Witter the fight at this point.

I don't see it happening either but it's one of the typical situations in boxing where one fight can take you back several steps in your career.

Hatton's plan was obviously to beat the Pacman and have some equally huge fights after that against the elite class of boxers.

Now he's in a situation where he can get a top British fighter, at best. I seriously don't see him getting back in the ring with the likes of JMM, PBF etc.., simply because they wouldn't get any credit for beating him. The highest he can go internationally speaking would be someone like Zab Judah, which isn't too bad but nothing near what he was hoping for when he went to America.

In fact, if the whole Witter episode hadn't gotten as far as it did, they might have been fighting some time soon.

It's not an easy decision for Ricky. He wouldn't want to retire on a big loss, not when there's the prospect of finishing in front of his home crowd at Manchester.

On the other hand, if he does go ahead and fight someone like Khan, AND loses, he would be absolutely gutted.

Losing to PBF and Pacquiao is nothing to be ashamed of, not even for the best fighters out there. But losing to someone on a lower level would be hard for Ricky to take (in my opinion), especially when he's always considered himself among the best in the trade.

[GazOC]

I agree I think he should accept the losses to 2 greats and retire being proud of what he achieved in his career.

[TheUzi]

The last KO was so brutal, I'd be surprised if Hatton would risk putting his family through all that again.

[Akxtinguish]

^Top avatar mate.

[mgmvegas]

it's time for ricky to hange em up now but i have a horrible feeling that JMM could happen. you say that no one at the top would fight him but ricky does bring a lot of money to the table with his support , if JMM loses why wouldn't he want another big pay day ??? who else would he fight for that amount of cash following a defeat ??

pacman will obviously go on now to fight cotto / floyd and i think he will call it a day

[dan-b]

^ Good shout, JMM might be the only elite Hatton could tempt into the ring. JMM is desperate to get Pacqiaou one more time though and I think it could well happen.

[Guy]

I agree I think he should accept the losses to 2 greats and retire being proud of what he achieved in his career.

Thats how I fell in the whole but a selfish part of me wants him to fight again.

Partly because i'm a fan and don't want him to retire yet, especially finishing on such a devastating loss.

Most selfishly I'd like to know if there's anything left in his tank:think and if even a faded Ricky could beat a Bradley or the like...

I would hate for him to fight and lose badly again though, which is a possibility in this game......:|

[mgmvegas]

^ Good shout, JMM might be the only elite Hatton could tempt into the ring. JMM is desperate to get Pacqiaou one more time though and I think it could well happen.

i think JMM will take a superfight at Wembley etc despite being invloved in some of the best fights over the past 8 years i bet he's not earned as much as hatton ...both will retire after and again if Ricky loses does it really damage his career anymore ???

[trotter]

I'm quite convinced he's done and unless any future matchmaking is shrewder than shrewd, he's just going to put further dents on his legacy

I thought he should've gone after Floyd, I certainly have no appetite to watch him now

He'd just be chasing the dream ending that very, very rarely comes in this game

[bringitondown]

I'm quite convinced he's done and unless any future matchmaking is shrewder than shrewd, he's just going to put further dents on his legacy

I thought he should've gone after Floyd, I certainly have no appetite to watch him now

He'd just be chasing the dream ending that very, very rarely comes in this game

I agree with all that except I thought the Malignaggi fight was where he should have ended his career. I think retiring after Mayweather would just have led to criticism of him being unable to handle defeat like a man, etc. He won every round against Lazcano but was far from convincing in that performance but I felt he had enough left to beat Malignaggi because Paulie is so feather fisted and is far from great defensively. He should've retired after Malignaggi and gone out on a high, but Hatton typically wanted to go out higher.

[GazOC]

To be fair though, its very easy to look back on a fighters career and see where the ideal place for them to retire was. Not many fighters want to retire after a good win, it usually takes a loss (or losses) to make a fighter realize he needs to pack it in.

[hitandhope]

To be fair though, its very easy to look back on a fighters career and see where the ideal place for them to retire was. Not many fighters want to retire after a good win, it usually takes a loss (or losses) to make a fighter realize he needs to pack it in.

Very true. It's a shame though, the Malignaggi fight would have been a nice way to finish.

[Guy]

On paper being beaten, even badly by Pac-Man and outclassed by Mayweather does not equal a shot fighter or end of career but the impression of him being shook by every shot he shipped from Pac-Man sends out alarm bells.

It slightly reminded me of Graham Earl being swept away by every punch Khan threw......which sadly is the defintion of 'shot'.:verysad

[radab]

Bianca??

[bringitondown]

On paper being beaten, even badly by Pac-Man and outclassed by Mayweather does not equal a shot fighter or end of career

But when you look at three of his four last fights as him being outclassed by Mayweather, being shook and putting up a poor performance against Lazcano and being blasted away inside 2 by Pacquiao it's a different story. In the Malignaggi fight everything went right for Hatton, but let's face it - Malignaggi can't punch, has a leaky defence and was coming off an unconcincing split decision win over N'dou.

[GazOC]

So now the Malinaggi win is getting pulled apart after the event?

It's true the matchup was stylistically good for Hatton but Paulie had lost only once in 26 fights (to Cotto), had beaten other beltholders, was #1 ranked by the ring and was dispatched by Hatton in a convincing fashion (more convincing than Cotto has dome it).

[Jeff Young]

i think he is either going to wait to make a announcement after the khan fight, or he may even sit out till after the pac-cotto fight......

i thought for a couple weeks hatton would walk away, but i dont think so now...i think he wants to fight again....i read something from a manchester publication where his mum and fiance are urging him to retire, but ricky is having a real hard time with the decision....

my hunch is he fights one more time with billy graham

[Guy]

Ricky Hatton travelled to Wales to unveil a statue of the legendary Welsh boxer Jim Driscoll, and hinted that he may yet return to the boxing ring.
Hatton, former world light-welterweight and WBA welterweight champion, used the trip to Cardiff to visit the Millennium Stadium, and he told WalesOnline that he hopes to one day be treated as reverentially in Manchester as Driscoll is in Cardiff.
Both men achieved a lot in their boxing careers, both travelled to the US for fights, and both are local heroes.
After looking over the Millennium Stadium Hatton told WalesOnline that the desire to fight still lingers, he said: “I have never fought professionally in Wales and the Millennium Stadium is a world class venue. I have always been treated well by the Welsh and so a comeback fight in Cardiff is not off the cards.”

[Jeff Young]

Ricky Hatton travelled to Wales to unveil a statue of the legendary Welsh boxer Jim Driscoll, and hinted that he may yet return to the boxing ring.
Hatton, former world light-welterweight and WBA welterweight champion, used the trip to Cardiff to visit the Millennium Stadium, and he told WalesOnline that he hopes to one day be treated as reverentially in Manchester as Driscoll is in Cardiff.
Both men achieved a lot in their boxing careers, both travelled to the US for fights, and both are local heroes.
After looking over the Millennium Stadium Hatton told WalesOnline that the desire to fight still lingers, he said: “I have never fought professionally in Wales and the Millennium Stadium is a world class venue. I have always been treated well by the Welsh and so a comeback fight in Cardiff is not off the cards.”

see i think he is going to fight again, but that could be ricky being a businessman talking

[mgmvegas]

anyone think that the possibility of a JMM and floyd cancellation may pave the way for a poss hatton fight ??? JMM was getting less than $4m dollars for that fight i'm sure he could earn as much fighting ricky ...after all it does look like a very easy win on paper

[Dunky McCafferty]

I agree Dunks, I think he'll be remembered for losing to Mayweather and Pac but not fighting Witter will be well behind the things he actually did achieve in boxing when people come to properly assess his career. I def. don't think he needs to fight Witter as some sort redemption for losing to PBF and Pac, his career can stand for what it is (or isn't!!) on its own merits and a fight agianst Witter when both men are past their prime shouldn't change anything.

For instance, when people discuss Tony Sibson he's remembered for the Hagler loss, then wins against the top Yanks, Minter, Kaylor and his European title. Only when you dig really deep you get to the footnote of "Oh, and he didn't fight Herol Graham". A few internet obsessives aside;), Hattons in pretty much the same boat with Witter IMHO.

On a side note I can't see Hatton, having taken delight in not giving Witter a fight for all these years, suddenly changing his mind at this stage of things and, unlike a few years back, I really don't think theres any massive clamour from the public (as opposed to boxing fans) these days for a Hatton-Witter fight, Bradley would sell just as well.

Thats fair enough Gaz, as I say I was just thinking out loud, I wasnt demanding that Hatton fight Witter, I just got the scenario in my head, & posted my thoughts. & I still think that hatton v Witter would be huge, even now. Benn-Eubankesque. Even at this stage in their careers.

The only thing I disagree with you Gaz is saying Hatton is 'past his prime' I have to disagree with anyone who says that.
All Hatton is is a guy who failed against the two elite level fighters, & employed a trainer in Mayweather snr who took him backwards as a fighter.
Now I screamed in here ages go about the folly of Hatton taking on Floyd snr, & how it would ruin his chances of success against the pacman. No-one really listened though, probably cos of my history as a Hatton hater here, & everyone thought that self-obsessed bozo would actually help Hatton!
Thats why I have been saying Ricky shouldnt retire, he should just get rid of Floyd snr, & act like the Pac fight never happened. Its the only way to go IMO.
Hatton past his prime? No way. Hatton needing to get back to reality? yes way.
Time to get himself back to doing what he does best, & thats getting superfit & keeping with his old style of fighting. Haton will never change, he just needs a trainer who works on his plusses, & ignores the minuses, much like Billy Graham did.
I still cannot believe to this day that Ricky Hatton thought he was an old dog who could learn new tricks.

Ray Hatton has a lot to answer for...

[GazOC]

The "prime" thing is tricky Dunky because the looks in great shape, did a good job on Paulie before getting flattened by Pac (which was nothing to do with not being 'prime'), its just that theres not too many boxers with Hattons style that can keep it going once they get past 30.

As you say maybe going back to the old methods and fighting at the level below the likes of Pac and PBF he can still cut it....

[onourway]

He should retire.

Lara has said he had Hatton all over the place and he wasn't even hitting him hard.

Pacquiao seemed to hurt Hatton with every punch, ending in a brutal, brutal KO.

His punch resistance has gone, he's gonna end up getting KO'd by a lesser fighter than himself.

[Dunky McCafferty]

He should retire.

Lara has said he had Hatton all over the place and he wasn't even hitting him hard.

Pacquiao seemed to hurt Hatton with every punch, ending in a brutal, brutal KO.

pac is a beast though, a freak of nature. a small man, with killer power, allied to the fact Roach has turned him from great fighter with great power to all round fighter with great power.

To say any man should retire cos Pac flattened him? Thats a bit heavy. & I say that as a man who openly admitted that even my hero Scotty Harrison wouldnt have beaten Pac when both were at feather, & Scotty was still active.
people have to remember what Pac did to a prime Barrera in the first fight for instance, he had a prime Barrera looking to his own corner pleading to be pulled out, & Pac made another mexican legend in Morales happily stay on the canvas to be counted out rather than face anymore Pac power punches.
Pacquiao is an ATG, & Hatton was just his latest victim.

Hatton can come back, cos it wasnt as if he sustained a brutal beating for 12 rounds, he got caught cold & he got caught quick. JMM survived a similar pac whirlwind by the skin of his teeth in their first fight, but thats cos hes probably the most stubborn bastard in boxing I have ever seen. There aint a word invented to describe JMM's recuparitive powers yet, thats all I can say!

[onourway]

It's not just what Pac did.

It's what Lara said happened in sparring + Pac Koing him + Lazcano having him on queer street + Mayweather sending him into a ring post = punch resistance failing him.

ODLH has a great chin admittedly, but even as a corpse he was shipping punch after punch from Pac and not going anywhere......Hatton got put down for 5 minutes when he took the punches.

["TKO"]

He should retire.

Lara has said he had Hatton all over the place and he wasn't even hitting him hard.

Pacquiao seemed to hurt Hatton with every punch, ending in a brutal, brutal KO.

His punch resistance has gone, he's gonna end up getting KO'd by a lesser fighter than himself.

I think we've got to take this one with a massive pinch of salt. Let's be honest this isn't exactly a new plot "unproven prospect claims to have bashed up established world champ in sparring session". I agree with the overall sentiment though. Maybe one last homecoming fight in Manchester, but I think all of those hard fights and his yo-yo lifestyle are catching up with him. I would like to see him retire, proud of what he achieved, and run a pub in Hyde rather than carry on out of pride and risk damaging his memory by losing to fighters who would not have held a candle to him at his peak.

Unfortunately, as someone said on another thread, it's probably not likely. No fighter wants to go out on a bad note, so he will probably fight again. And once he has done he'll be convinced he can still do it at top level so will fight again and again and will end up with a couple of bad losses to average fighters before he decides to call it a day. We've seen the story so many times before.

[Arka]

I believe he's going to fight again. His father has given hints to that effect.

[Brick-Top]

I dont agree his punch resistance is shot, he took something like 65 power shots inside 6 minutes, your looking at 6-7 rounds worth of power shots there inside 2 rounds, he showed bloody good puch resistance to last aslong as he did leaking punches like that. His problems the same as it always has been, blocking shots with his head, only now against the elite, more punches are being landed. Mayweather Hit him with some HUUUGE shots and Hatton kept walking forward, that showed a great chin, it wasnt like the KO puch was the 1st one Mayweather landed, it was one of many big shots

[widdy]

I dont agree his punch resistance is shot, he took something like 65 power shots inside 6 minutes, your looking at 6-7 rounds worth of power shots there inside 2 rounds, he showed bloody good puch resistance to last aslong as he did leaking punches like that. His problems the same as it always has been, blocking shots with his head, only now against the elite, more punches are being landed. Mayweather Hit him with some HUUUGE shots and Hatton kept walking forward, that showed a great chin, it wasnt like the KO puch was the 1st one Mayweather landed, it was one of many big shots

kind of agree here mate,but the last shot,pacman had his eyes shut tight,and it caught hatton bang on the button,all his body behind that shot there was.
still think his resistance has gone somewhat:good

[Brick-Top]

kind of agree here mate,but the last shot,pacman had his eyes shut tight,and it caught hatton bang on the button,all his body behind that shot there was.
still think his resistance has gone somewhat:good

I agree its not what it once was, the Lazcano fight showed that, but its not gone to the extent some make out

["TKO"]

I dont agree his punch resistance is shot, he took something like 65 power shots inside 6 minutes, your looking at 6-7 rounds worth of power shots there inside 2 rounds, he showed bloody good puch resistance to last aslong as he did leaking punches like that. His problems the same as it always has been, blocking shots with his head, only now against the elite, more punches are being landed. Mayweather Hit him with some HUUUGE shots and Hatton kept walking forward, that showed a great chin, it wasnt like the KO puch was the 1st one Mayweather landed, it was one of many big shots

Agree to some extent, but I honestly don't think his chin's what it was. I suppose Pac just had the perfect combination of lethal speed and power which doesn't mesh well with Hatton's lack of defence.

[Guy]

I want Ricky's career to end on a good note.

Not blasted out by the Pac-Man.

Whats left?

Maybe one more win?

[bringitondown]

I want Ricky's career to end on a good note.

Not blasted out by the Pac-Man.

Whats left?

Maybe one more win?

As a Hatton fan I want his career to end on a good note, but this is boxing - fairytale endings seldom occur. I just want him to retire now, it would be selfish of any Hatton fan to want him to continue really. He doesn't owe his fans or his career anything and him continuing is possibly tainting his career and more importantly gambling with his health.

[Guy]

Completely selfish I know, selfish every time I watch him and others get in the ring.

I just want to know is that the end? Or did he hit the ceiling?

[zfc]

If Hatton does take on JMM then he will be despatched with ease as JMM could have stepped up to LWW with a couple of weeks notice and beaten Hatton six months ago.

Retire now Ricky or you could get some injuries you may never recover from......

[Guy]

From a source close to the Hatton camp

“It’s by no means certain but there are strong feelings about having at least another fight.

“Ricky certainly doesn’t want to go out on a defeat and he would like to end on a very high note with a big thank you to his fans with a stunning victory.

“Who it would be against I don’t know. But there have been whispers about Amir Khan which would be a mouth watering match. It would have all the hype and razzamatazz – and money.”