Why Hatton Lost to Pacquiao: A Critical Analysis
May 6th, 2009
By Matt Stein: Well, basically Ricky Hatton was in no position to be fighting a talented fighter like Manny Pacquiao in the first place. You’ve got a fighter that likes to drink and eat, ballooning up in weight after every fight and then having to use training camp as a mini fat farm to take off all the lard. That in itself was more than enough reason for Hatton to lose to a quality fighter like Manny Pacquiao. Hatton never stood a chance against Manny Pacquiao, as he came out using the wrong approach by going straight at Pacquiao in a line.
Like Hatton, Darchinyan was unable to adjust to Donaire’s right hooks and kept trying to rush him repeatedly despite taking flush shuts each time. Hatton made the same mistake and instead of backing off and coming up with another plan, Hatton stuck with his wild attacks until he was eventually knocked out in the 2nd round by Pacquiao.
Weight: to a certain degree I think Hatton’s weight loss for the fight might have had an effect on his ability to take a shot. Any time a fighter is forced to take off 30 or more pounds of pure fat, it often leaves them weaker and with a decreased ability to take a punch.
For this fight, Hatton didn’t blow up quite so much as he has in the past, but I’d be willing to guess that Hatton had to take off at least 20-25 pounds of fat to get nearer to the 140 pound weight limit for the fight. It likely had an effect on Hatton’s strength and his chin, because Hatton seemed to be weaker than he had been in his fight with Paulie Malignaggi.
Fighting Style: Hatton seemed to abandon almost immediately everything that his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. had tried to teach in 12 weeks of training. I don’t what was the issue between Mayweather Sr. and Hatton’s assistant trainer, but that shouldn’t have effected Hatton’s ability learn and apply the teachings to what he was doing in the ring.
So maybe Mayweather Sr. was late for a few training sessions, but that’s not a reason to have a kitten over it and make a federal case out of it. Hatton should have blocked that garbage out, put his focus on learning what he needed to know. I know Hatton’s a loyal guy and likes his assistant trainer, but for me, Mayweather Sr. is the one that Hatton should have had his focus on.
Hatton should have used everything that was told to him by Mayweather Sr., because he’s had a proven track record as a trainer and was a damn good fighter as well during his career. The fact that Hatton lost focus immediately in the 1st round was a major mistake, and one of the crucial factors for him losing the fight.
If you know a fighter is faster than you and dangerous, you don’t go right at them and try to knock them out from the opening round without
Tags: 17 Responses to “Why Hatton Lost to Pacquiao: A Critical Analysis”
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Hatton is a great fighter. He’s not one of the all-time greats, but the man isn’t undefeated in the 140 lbs division for nothing.
Hatton’s downfall was his lack of adjustment – he showed the exact same approach he’s always done and the PAC camp prepared for exactly that for the last 6 months – the outcome was inevitable once Hatton did that. He says so himself – let the heart win over the head.
That said, Pacquiao DID finish him off – so even the Pacman gives Hatton respect. The Pacman is a showman and an entertainer. If he felt safe from Hatton, we would’ve played around a bit more like arguably did with lesser fighters.
He didn’t. He felt the threat so he finished the guy off before Hatton could get set-up. An eminently sensible move, IMO. If Pacman let that match last longer, he might’ve lost.
Great thesis statement. I think that Hatton’s “Go for it” attitude and style is what made him so exciting. There are so many fighters out there who fight like Turtles (Ninja?). They may be better defensive fighters but let’s face it they’re hella boring. You guys know who I’m talking about right?
Theres an old saying that goes “you can talk to much and you can eat to much” I thing the Hatton camp did both. His trainer mayweather did too much talking and not enough training!!!
I really have to agree with this analysis… sad but true… I just hope the hitman doesnt look back and regret it all which, if you believe his interviews which you must, he definitely will.
Good article cheers
we all love hatton. FACT.
Well done Ricky you saved uk boxing in the last 10 years and that no 1 will ever take from you. god bless u and everything you have done.
no excuses. he’ great (hatton)BUT HE FACED AGREATER MAN
totaly agree with this writer.hatton woz never there from the start.watched it with freinds and woz highly embarrased by thr lack ov thought head movement and jab.only fight left now is for him to call out witter afta witter wins the wbc title against devon.50,000 in manchester last fight 4 hatton!
I admired Ricky Hatton for taking the lost graciously. I think he should fight again,look for another trainer.
Ricky went back to being Ricky, that’s pretty much what happened. I do believe had he been more tactical and not abandoned what they trained on doing, he might have been able to wear down Manny some.
Hatton’s only chance in my mind was getting into the late rounds. He didn’t even really get a chance to get settled into the fight. I think Ricky felt as if his only chance was overpowering Manny, so he felt the need to get into a brawl.
I think getting in close was the right thing to do, but not going in with his hands down and on a straight line.
Freddie and Manny were banking on seeing the same old Ricky Hatton at some point. When he gave that to them… welll.. you see what happened. They were ready for it.
Boxing fans should never leaved unnoticed how the Brits took the defeat of their man, Hatton graciously and with a lot of class. Most Filipino fans admire that.
before the fight some were questioning the chin of pacman. I retorted back that maybe pacman don’t have the chin against hatton but how about hatton’s chin? what had happened fulfilled my belief that hatton do not have the chin to receive the power of pacman.
In boxing, everything works off the Jab, this is even more important in the very big fights. It sets up your own work and disrupts that of your opponent. Hatton should have concentrated on establishing the jab first, before trying to tear pac man’s head off. Dropping his hands doesn’t help either.
By not doing this he played right into teh hands of the quick guy. He walked onto 2 punches that he never even saw from a solid puncher. This was always going to be Hatton’s downfall unless he changed his style. Eamon McGee caught him cold in round 1 a long while back, McGee couldn’t finish the job. Pacquiao is a different league, when he catches anyobne cold, the results are inevitable.
Hatton should say goodbye, its obvious he can’t adapt and change styles and what is the point of fighting at a level below?
Its not that he shouldn’t have been fighting pacquiao but he lost because of pacquiao’s magical ability to improve like no other
-that final knockout was probably the best combo of skill i have seen in a while
final move included
- a feint right jab- dodging with his head from a left hand jab from hatton- then a left hand counter
-in the minute mark of the first round
you see a nine move combination that pacquiao pulls
-punch -dodge -parry – then six punches
when pacquiao fought de la hoya his knock out power was not on this level
he usually just sits people down
never something like this
the reason why Arum called him the greatest fighter of all time was probably because he saw pacquiaos potential to be great
-No shame in losing
Aff man no need to laugh,the man was out for 3mins! From the time a man steps through the ropes into the ring he deserves our respect.Hattons skills were simply too limited to deal with pac man,no shame in that.
briil article baang on hattons a joke .glass jaw pr*** got banged out by a blown up flyweight lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
As a disappointed Hattoon fan I have to say harsh but fair