By Dennis Broadhurst: In the past two years Ricky Hatton has lost two fights, the two biggest fights of his career. Hatton has fought some decent fighters in his day, Castillo, Urango and Malignaggi. A lot of his opponents have been poor but that was not always his choice, tell me a fighter who has fought under Frank Warren who has not been protected? Hatton has fought with three great fighters, Tszyu, Mayweather and Pacquiao.

Ok When Hatton beat Tszyu he beat a fading champion, but a fading great champion, Tszyu was a solid fighter and had great power but Hatton followed his game plan to perfection and out muscled Tszyu who retired on his stool before the 11th. Anyone who can take out a great champion such as Tszyu in any stage of their career needs to be respected.

Now after winning that title Hatton could just have gone after easy defences of his title and stayed in his weight class, where he felt comfortable. Hatton, being confident as he was undefeated went after the p4p king, Floyd Mayweather. Hatton looked strong in the early rounds but in the end Mayweather was just too good and stopped him in the tenth.

Now Hatton was defeated in this fight which made a lot of people think he was an overrated Brit but anybody who even steps into the ring, let alone goes ten rounds with a great fighter such as Mayweather has to have guts and deserves respect. Often when a fighter falls short of his dreams he will give up but Hatton decided to persevere.

Making two comeback fights and getting a new trainer, Hatton went in against an A class fighter and new p4p king, Manny Pacquiao. After seeing how Manny had taken out De la Hoya in his previous bout, Hatton must have had guts to take such a fight even if he was just trying it for the money. Hatton was not himself on the night because of his trainer missing training sessions and only came on the night when Hatton was getting his wraps on. After losing a 2nd round knockout I do not think that Hatton would win in any circumstances against Pacquiao as he is not in the same class in terms of skill.

So looking at Hatton’s late career he may have fallen short every time he tried but at least he did try and tried again. Hatton may not have been the greatest technical fighter of all time but he was/is a great body puncher with a decent chin and heart in abundance. I would like to see Ricky back in the ring but even if he does not choose to, the man has my respect as he never backed down and went after the best of the era. Better to try than regret it once it is to late eh Ricky? So show the man some respect haters.