By Shaun Campbell: Many are still talking about Ricky Hatton’s defeat to Manny Pacquiao. People still asking whether he would have beat Manny if he had been better prepared. That debate is all well and good, but people are forgetting what a fantastic career Ricky’s had. This article is not about whether Ricky was ever good enough to become pound for pound number one or whether other factors stopped him beating Mayweather and Pacquiao, it is purely about the highlights through his boxing life.
Hatton first caught the attention of the British public with his fight against Jon Thaxton. The fight was for the British light-welterweight title and Hatton was tipped to win in what would be a close contest. In the first round, yet again Ricky got cut above his left eye. However, after seeming like it would be a problem, Thaxton was the man who threw out the game-plan. Everything he threw for the next 3 rounds was right-hooks aimed at the eye. Ricky was able to predict and counter easily. Hatton was landing at will with vicious looking shots that landed bang on Thaxtons chin, yet he didn’t go down.
This impressive victory was followed up by a KO win over Tony Pep for the WBU title. Hatton’s favourite round 4 was when a disheartened Pep knew he couldn’t go on much long. The hitman defended this title against fighters including Eamonn Magee, who though he got off to a dream start knocking Hatton down in the first round with a counter right hook. Ricky has always had problems with southpaws. Stunned in the second round, it looked like Hatton’s undefeated record would be demolished by the Irishman. But he fought through and ended up winning by unanimous decision.
Ricky Hatton has always said that his boxing abilities have been under-rated. Which for anyone who saw his fights in the MEN arena in the pre-American stage of his career would know what he was talking about. He produced one of the finest boxing displays against the tough, solid Ben Tackie. Ricky was slipping shots, and countering well. His jab was perfect. Yet Tackie was not moving.
But it was a blessing because it showed that Hatton had very good boxing skills and was not just a one-dimensional brawler.
After a few more defences he got the fight he’d dream of. Ricky Hatton would face Kostya Tszyu. People may say that this Tszyu was at the end of his career and was washed up, but they obviously weren’t paying much attention. Tszyu was ranked #2 in the pound for pound rankings and considered the best light-welterweight ever. Hatton was not favoured to even last 4 rounds with the Russian-born Austrialian. The American public and so called “experts” didn’t give Ricky Hatton a prayer.
The fight started at a furious pace. Hatton was like a man possessed. The quality shots were coming from Tszyu, but there weren’t enough to hurt Hatton who kept coming forward landing some decent punches when the fight was at close quarters. Rounds passed with the lead going back and forth between the Hitman and Tszyu. But the pace was showing and Tszyu couldn’t handle it. By round 8 Tszyu was exaughed and Hatton controlled the last few rounds.
Then the bell rang for the end of round 11 and an physically spent Ricky Hatton went back to his corner with his head down. The referee was called to Tszyus corner and the fight was over. Hatton had done what no one said was possible. He was not only the IBF light-welterweight champion but he was the best light-welterweight in the world.
This was considered the fight that he will be remembered for by his fans. But he went on to take the WBA title from tricky opponent Carlos Maussa. The year was topped off by the “Mancunian Mexican” becoming Britain’s first Ring Magazines Fight Of The Year. After this he began the American Invasion which would later make him arguably the most popular fighter on the planet.
This involved victories over decent champions such as Luis Collazo, Juan Urango, and a win over the legendary Jose Luis Castillo (again ranked highly in the pound for pound rankings). Then came his chance to challenge for the ultimate title in boxing, he had the chance to gain pound for pound supremacy. However, Floyd Mayweather is considered by many as the greatest fighter of this generation. Hatton was not quite good enough and Mayweather took control of the fight, ending in a KO win in the 10th for Floyd.
Possibally the greatest achievement of Hatton’s was that he was able to fight at his beloved City of Manchester stadium, selling 55,000 tickets. No American fighters in this generation have done that. He beat Juan Lazcano in a performance that prompted him to sack Billy Graham and bring in Floyd Mayweather Snr. The performance was not Ricky’s best, and a chance was needed.
Many thought he had lost his love for the sport. But under Mayweather he went on to produce the greatest performance he had ever produced in America and beat the IBF champion, Paulie Malignaggi. This earned him a shot at pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. We all know how good he is. Debates are needlessly on going about that fight so I am not going to talk about it. Manny was the superior fighter on the night and won by KO in the 2nd.
Whatever people think about Ricky Hatton the boxer, no one can say that he wasn’t exciting to watch. The person is funny and a down to earth guy, which in this day and age is very rare in boxing. Hatton is a British legend. So forget the losses, Ricky was never scared to fight the best. He entertained and now we all wish him luck with his promotion team. He is already putting on great shows. Thanks for the fights Ricky, whatever he decides he will have the full backing of his true fans.
Comments are closed.