Ricky Hatton v Amir Khan - Could it be Good for British Boxing?

[Dubstep]

Ok, bare with me on this one.

Spinning off from the "How to market Amir Khan" thread, I've been thinking about how massive this fight would be if it happened. Sky would probably do two weeks of 24/7esque programming - the media coverage would be mammoth and general (i.e. non-boxing fans) interest would be considerable to say the least.

It would be ridiculously easy to market calling it something like "The fight for a Nation's Heart" "The fight for the flag" etc. and it would be a defining fight for both fighters, for different reasons. The level of interest would undoubtedly generate more interest in boxing and this could give TV the confidence to commit to boxing on a regular basis.

From a boxing perspective, I reckon it would be a quality fight as well. I don't think Hatton is shot, I reckon Hatton was out of his league against a fighter who would make almost every other active fighter look silly. Against Khan he has a serious chance, equally Khan has improved to the extent where most of us would agree he would give Hatton a seriously hard time. Basically, I would predict a fairly even, exciting fight.

However, there are some drawbacks. It would not be good for boxing to see a "hero" such as Hatton, starched out on the canvas because he was completely over the hill. That might just highlight all the popular negative perceptions of boxing such as, safety - specifically fighters going on too long. Equally, if Khan got beat then the future looks a little bit bleaker because there is no "young hope". The importance of a competitive fight cannot be downplayed.

The other major drawback I can see (and I imagine this will become the major talking point of this thread) is that what ever the result, expect fighting in the streets. Both sets of fans are aggressively passionate and with the added factor of race, it could get nasty.

[Lewisbell]

They should hype it up so it'll be as big as Lewis vs. Bruno or Benn vs. Eubank

[NO MAS]

The aftermath of this contest should it ever happen could be like the aftermath of an Oasis concert at Maine Road in 1996.... fighting in the streets for hours..

The only people who will benefit out of this fight are the fighters and promoters....if it is a fight that can make mega bucks, which it can??? there is no reason why it will not be made.... the green back dictates boxing IMO

Khan on the undercard of Pac Man in November??, talk of Erik Morales?? :think

[Dubstep]

They should hype it up so it'll be as big as Lewis vs. Bruno or Benn vs. Eubank

See that's what I was thinking!

BTW - The safety of Hatton has to be a major consideration before this fight could ever be considered "good" for anything!

[NO MAS]

See that's what I was thinking!

BTW - The safety of Hatton has to be a major consideration before this fight could ever be considered "good" for anything!

Spot on :good

[destruction]

Hatton is shot to shit and in hospital with heart murmurs and you are talking about his next fight, show some respect.

If anyone connected with Hatton reads this, then tell him to retire, its embarrassing.

Khan by death.

[Dubstep]

Hatton is shot to shit and in hospital with heart murmurs and you are talking about his next fight, show some respect.

If anyone connected with Hatton reads this, then tell him to retire, its embarrassing.

Khan by death.

What melodramatic crap.

1. A heart murmur is almost a non-issue - several posters on this thread who actually have heart murmurs agree. Some even go as far to say that a heart murmur could be linked with improved sporting performance!

2. "Show some respect" - See above thread where I clearly state that Hatton's safety is imperative before this can be seen as good for boxing.

3. "Khan by death" - Show some respect.

[destruction]

What melodramatic crap.

1. A heart murmur is almost a non-issue - several posters on this thread who actually have heart murmurs agree. Some even go as far to say that a heart murmur could be linked with improved sporting performance!

2. "Show some respect" - See above thread where I clearly state that Hatton's safety is imperative before this can be seen as good for boxing.

3. "Khan by death" - Show some respect.

How much money does Hatton have in the bank?

He has brutally KTFO in his last 2 fights,

and he is in hospital right now,

he needs to get well first and then officially retire.

I dont want to see this fight at all.

[Dubstep]

How much money does Hatton have in the bank?

He has brutally KTFO in his last 2 fights,

and he is in hospital right now,

he needs to get well first and then officially retire.

I dont want to see this fight at all.

He was brutally knocked out in his last fight - he won the two before that, god forbid a Malinaggi brutal knockout.

Why are you so sure he is shot?

[GazOC]

Hatton is shot to shit and in hospital with heart murmurs and you are talking about his next fight, show some respect.

If anyone connected with Hatton reads this, then tell him to retire, its embarrassing.

Khan by death.


He had food poisoning and has had the heart murmur since the amatuers.

And if anyone needs to show some respect its you (however melodramically) predicting ring fatalities.

[destruction]

He was brutally knocked out in his last fight - he won the two before that, god forbid a Malinaggi brutal knockout.

Why are you so sure he is shot?

Once a fighter who is unbeaten, has two KO losses, given his lifestyle as well, his time is up. Just look back at any other undefeated fighter in the history of boxing and look at their record after suffering their first loss as a KO loss and their second loss as a KO loss, and then tell me how many of those went onto be successful and a champion again.

I can predict that you will find no one!

Or maybe someone from 1956 who made it after that.

[GazOC]

Once a fighter who is unbeaten, has two KO losses, given his lifestyle as well, his time is up. Just look back at any other undefeated fighter in the history of boxing and look at their record after suffering their first loss as a KO loss and their second loss as a KO loss, and then tell me how many of those went onto be successful and a champion again.

I can predict that you will find no one!

Or maybe someone from 1956 who made it after that.

Off the top of my head Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis.

[destruction]

Off the top of my head Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis.

both fighters who did not go down the dog ad duck and get absolutely wasted outside of training camp everynight anytime ever, unlike wicky.

[GazOC]

both fighters who did not go down the dog ad duck and get absolutely wasted outside of training camp everynight anytime ever, unlike wicky.

Just answering your question, you said no boxer had done it, not "no boxer who was also a ginger haired pisshead" had done it.

["TKO"]

Once a fighter who is unbeaten, has two KO losses, given his lifestyle as well, his time is up. Just look back at any other undefeated fighter in the history of boxing and look at their record after suffering their first loss as a KO loss and their second loss as a KO loss, and then tell me how many of those went onto be successful and a champion again.

I can predict that you will find no one!

Or maybe someone from 1956 who made it after that.

It's not particularly difficult. I can raise you Lennox Lewis and Nigel Benn just from the last few years in Britain alone.

Edit Gaz beat me to it on Lewis. Plus Khan has already suffered one to an absolute nobody, a result which looks more embarrassing everytime Prescott fights.

[destruction]

Just answering your question, you said no boxer had done it, not "no boxer who was also a ginger haired pisshead" had done it.

You win- Take the Gold Medal.

[GazOC]

Why thank you!!!

[icemax]

Floyd Patterson, Roberto Duran

[GazOC]

Manny Pac.

[icemax]

Manny Pac.

Good one

[Dubstep]

Destruction destroyed.

[jc]

The Barrera fight shouldnt have happened! The Hatton fight definately should!

Hatton TKOs him in 6.

['Ben']

The spotlight on boxing would be huge.... that's usually a good thing.

[celtic power]

How many viewers would this fight get on the beeb? 25 mill?

[cupid]

not sure abt fans but defo would be very gud for their pockets.

[Betty Swollocks]

2 of ther worst chins in boxing for a long time, I take the improving Kahn to crack Hatton's eggy chin first, inside 4 rounds.
Khan KO 3.

[Ilesey]

Nah, Hatton is done. I'd rather Khan fight his way up and defend his title against other good active fighters.

["TKO"]

2 of ther worst chins in boxing for a long time, I take the improving Kahn to crack Hatton's eggy chin first, inside 4 rounds.
Khan KO 3.

You also took Malignaggi to crack that "eggy" chin which stood up to Kostya Tszyu's bombs for 11 rounds so that says it all about how seriously you should be taken!!! Fucking tool!

[dan-b]

I would really like to see this fight happen. I think it would be a fantastic spectacle for British boxing and has the potential to be a good fight. If Hatton is fit and, more importantly, wants to continue boxing then this seems an ideal option.

[ApatheticLeader]

It's okay for global boxing - although it doesn't mean that much.

It's MAGNIFICENT for British boxing - the exposure this fight would get if marketed and advertised well would be insane.

It's horrific for race relations.

[El Cepillo]

How much money does Hatton have in the bank?

He has brutally KTFO in his last 2 fights,

and he is in hospital right now,

he needs to get well first and then officially retire.

I dont want to see this fight at all.

You really are a shit poster.

[Mazallan]

This fight would be great for British boxing. At last we have a talented fighter who actually has the ability to be great and deserves to be amongst the elite of boxings top fighters. Instead of having a plucky yet very limited fighter going in against p4p champions we have the possibility of a boxer actually been able to beat them and become a true legend of the ring.

Hatton vs Khan would waken up the Americans to Khans greatness and push him into the huge fights against Pac, Cotto, Williams and Mayweather. Obviously Hatton would be destroyed pretty bad but he wold make a good deal of money in doing so and his bank balance is all he cares about.

[ApatheticLeader]

This fight would be great for British boxing. At last we have a talented fighter who actually has the ability to be great and deserves to be amongst the elite of boxings top fighters. Instead of having a plucky yet very limited fighter going in against p4p champions we have the possibility of a boxer actually been able to beat them and become a true legend of the ring.

Hatton vs Khan would waken up the Americans to Khans greatness and push him into the huge fights against Pac, Cotto, Williams and Mayweather. Obviously Hatton would be destroyed pretty bad but he wold make a good deal of money in doing so and his bank balance is all he cares about.
You seriously overrate Khan.

[Dubstep]

I just think the attention this fight would bring would be brilliant for Boxing in the UK.

In terms of creating longer lasting interest, do you think the outcome of the bout would be important? Personally, I think a hard fought victory for Khan where he proves he can take a war would be the best. A slightly more competitive Eubank v Calzaghe would be ideal so both fighters come out with respect.

[Mazallan]

You seriously overrate Khan.


Khan is easily capable of mixing it with the best without being embarrassed to the extent that Hatton has been.

[Dubstep]

Khan is easily capable of mixing it with the best without being embarrassed to the extent that Hatton has been.

You have left yourself more open than Carl Froch with that comment...Prescott? Embarrassing?

[GazOC]

Khan is easily capable of mixing it with the best without being embarrassed to the extent that Hatton has been.

Yep, Prescott has proved himself a far better fighter that Manny pac.

["TKO"]

This fight would be great for British boxing. At last we have a talented fighter who actually has the ability to be great and deserves to be amongst the elite of boxings top fighters. Instead of having a plucky yet very limited fighter going in against p4p champions we have the possibility of a boxer actually been able to beat them and become a true legend of the ring.

Hatton vs Khan would waken up the Americans to Khans greatness and push him into the huge fights against Pac, Cotto, Williams and Mayweather. Obviously Hatton would be destroyed pretty bad but he wold make a good deal of money in doing so and his bank balance is all he cares about.

Whatever you're drinking I'll have a pint!

["TKO"]

Khan is easily capable of mixing it with the best without being embarrassed to the extent that Hatton has been.

Are you for real? Are you sure you're not Flint under an alias? He's already been utterly annihilated by an unknown who is not even top ten in his own division!

[clyde]

Nay, nay and thrice nay!

[Don't Damn Me]

It'd obviously be fantastic for British boxing...... up until they step through the ropes.

I just don't see it being a classic, I don't even see it being competitive. If Ricky is near his best he'll walk down Kahn, and if he's not Kahn will box his face off. All that'll be left at the end is either the tainting of Hattons legacy or the end of Amir's career. And in either case, race riots.

[Jeff Young]

Hatton is shot to shit and in hospital with heart murmurs and you are talking about his next fight, show some respect.

If anyone connected with Hatton reads this, then tell him to retire, its embarrassing.

Khan by death.

:huh i've had a heart murmur since i was 13 years old, and seem to do just fine....hatton is not shot....

[achillesthegreat]

Khan v Hatton would be HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE for british boxing. it's the reason i want to see the fight.

[DDA365]

Just look back at any other undefeated fighter in the history of boxing
thatd be every boxer ever at some point then