Hatton v Pacquiao

[ChipRich]

sick, gr8 final shot. gg Hatton.

[crown]

awful finish to rickys career i am truly gutted to see that fkin finish

[cod meharly]

gg hatton....sure didnt get ur soul handed to u on a plate

[taximan007]

Manny Wins

The Philippines - party time

[Woodsey]

Shit....didn't expect it to finish like that, GG Ricky retire IMO.....

[Nem]

[kinboshi]

How disappointing was that?

Hatton needed to be at his absolute best to compete with Pacquiao. He needed the right gameplan,  both offensively and defensively.  He had neither.

Obviously, the way he fought (or didn't) rests on the shoulders of the fighter himself, but I also think a huge part of the responsibility also lies with the trainer.  During the build up, Mayweather Snr was giving all the talk, but was constantly turning up for training late and there was the talk of him being sacked before the fight even took place.  Did they say on telly that he was even late on the night? Hardly ideal preparation for when your fighter needs to be at 100% against arguably the best in the world.

Hatton gave nothing that showed the fight could go any other way than the way it did.  No genuine strategy to speak of regarding going forward at Pacquiao. He seemed to just be intent on walking into range without a jab to speak of, and exerting no pressure on Pacquiao.  Defensively, he was wide open and there was no footwork to keep him either outside Pacquiao's range, or close enough to spoil and smother Pacquiao's work. Instead, he walked in to the mid-range with his guard held low inviting Pacquiao to hit him at will. Of course, Pacquiao is quick and accurate, and he's going to show up a lot of fighters, but Hatton's whole approach merely emphasised Pacquiao's skills.  Where was Hatton's lateral movement, where was the guile and ringcraft that he's shown in the past? Yes, he came up against a better fighter, but he made it very easy for Pacquiao - very easy indeed.

What Freddie Roach has done with Pacquiao over the years is amazing.  Pacquiao is such an improved fighter. If Hatton had been under the instruction and coaching of Roach, he would not have put on anything like that performance.

For me, the only fights lefdt for Hatton should he decide to continue are against top British fighters, or 'lower' world-class fighters. That performance will taint his legacy, and it would now be interesting to see what would happen were he to fight another Roach fighter - in the form of Amir Khan, in say 6-12 months' time.  Previously, I would have said that Hatton would be too much for Khan both in terms of strength and general fighting class.  Now I'm not so sure at all.

As for Pacquiao, it's got to be a fight with Mayweather.

[Graham C]

good write up Dan

[ACE2M]

Just watched it, painfully poor, please retire, bring on pacman v mayweather,

[Boba Fett]

This kinda thing is why I hate boxing.  Anytime a fighter loses everyone calls for him to retire to preserve his legacy.  All the best fighters lost fights in their life and they are still legends.  Instead of taking lesser matches just to preserve his legacy or his record, why not take matches that will draw at the box office, that will be a big spectacle where he has a 50/50 or less chance of winning.  Who really wants to see Hatton crush some unknown British guy?

[crown]

This kinda thing is why I hate boxing.  Anytime a fighter loses everyone calls for him to retire to preserve his legacy.  All the best fighters lost fights in their life and they are still legends.  Instead of taking lesser matches just to preserve his legacy or his record, why not take matches that will draw at the box office, that will be a big spectacle where he has a 50/50 or less chance of winning.  Who really wants to see Hatton crush some unknown British guy?

who wants to see hatton get owned like he did against pacman

Kinboshi that write up sums up what i have been saying all morning quality write up

[rossfourfive]

So pish staying up till half 4 and Hatton getting crushed so quickly. Can't believe he never learnt anything from the Mayweather fight and just went in all guns blazing. Manny v PBF - can't wait.

[GrannyDee]

Who really wants to see Hatton crush some unknown British guy?

No point in Hatton carrying on because of this reason it would be a half-decent Brit or an unknown American no point whatsoever. I'll always remember his fight with Kosta Tsyza (sp) that in my mind was Hatton's peak and he's never been anywhere near that level since

[Blatch]

Surely time for Hatton to stop now

[TheChipPrince]

Surely he's far too young to quit?

I just don't get the impression that Hatton is the sort of guy who would want to retire with a defeat...