What do you think of Hatton's comments? As a fighter shouldn't he want a rematch with PBF as soon as possible

Question

http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Chee/BenzN0227b08.htm

Ricky Hatton doesn't want to step into the welterweight division again unless it's for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather defeated Hatton this past December by knocking Hatton out in the tenth round.

In regards to stepping back into the welterweight division, Hatton stated: "It would only be for Mayweather."

Hatton still feels there is a lot he could do differently if he got the rematch with Mayweather. "There's lots I could have done different but I just felt the referee didn't have one of his greatest nights and, as much as Floyd won the fight, I lost it as well," said Hatton.

Hatton gave praise to Mayweather and concluded it wasn't his destiny to defeat Mayweather. Hatton stated: "But he's the best, pound-for-pound. Even if the referee had had a sensational night I'd still have been up against it. I just don't think I was destined to win that fight."

"He's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world so he can do what he wants. I don't think I'm in a position to turn round and say to Floyd he should fight me at catchweight."

Answer 1

well he does look smallish to other Welterweights and his punching power is not as great either... so he just knows that Mayweather is a small too whereas GUys Like Cotto, Margarito, Delahoya, Cintron as well as most other guys in the top ten in welterweight are much larger than Hatton...h**l even Mayweather will not fight Prime Top Welterweights either so is unfair to bash the smaller Hatton for knowing his limits... is nothing wrong with staying at 140 and there are young fighters coming up like Khan and others like Juan Diaz to make the smaller divisons fun to watch anyway

Answer 2

I don't see any reason for a rematch at this point.  The fight was very one-sided up until Hatton got knocked out and there are much better matchups for him at 140.  He would not have won the fight no matter what because he is simply not as good as Mayweather, but at least he tried and no one can take that away from him.  No one will give him as much money in the junior welterweight division but at least he will have a good chance of beating the other top fighters in that division.  As far as the ref goes, I thought Joe Cortez did a pretty good job- he separated them as soon as one of them began to hold, that is what the ref is supposed to do.  If it was any other referee, I think the result would have been the same.  I'd like to see Hatton face his fellow countryman Junior Witter, but it doesn't look like Hatton wants the fight.  I've heard his next fight is against Juan Lazcano, but hopefully Witter will be next (it would be huge in England).

Answer 3

I don't think he should go up to chase anybody, there are plenty of fights he could take in his weightclass.  He's not the type of guy who can do that anyway.  He's small, and isn't a really big puncher - at 140 he can be physically dominant, but those 7 pounds make him normal, and his skill can't compensate for normal.

I'm a fan of Ricky Hatton, but at this point in their careers, he will never beat Floyd Mayweather - had they fought when Floyd was just coming into 140, maybe a different story (but not likely), but now Mayweather is bigger, stronger, faster, quicker, with superior skills.

Hatton should just stay at 140, there are good fights there and very good fighters in classes just below who will be coming into his division - he's a crowd favorite (for good reason) and there really isn't anyone who will bowl him over, Floyd didn't even really do that, so if he stays he could go down as a great of his generation.

Answer 4

Total cop out.

Bottom line, the referee's job isnt to HELP Hatton win, its to officiate the fight. Its HATTONS job to win the fight...no matter what the circumstances, ref or not. You get paid a few million, come up with better answers than that.

Oh it was the ref...the ring size...I was sleep deprived....

Whatever. Had you won, I doubt you would be complaining about the ref.

Answer 5

4 reasons why I agree with Hatton

1.A rematch with floyd doesn't make sense with the style that hatton brings to the table. He has to train harder and lose so much weight and even still he is smaller and weaker than mayweather.

2. management. I am a manager as a manager I nevr put my fight in a fight where he could be seriously hurt, or where he would lose great creditibility.

3. credit. an immediate rematch would not yield the excitement nor the money. and there is no point in hatton doing a jermain taylor. both of them being undefeated is the only reason why the fight took place. with a KO loss, he needs to re-establish himself first as a marquee fighter.

4. PBF is just better at 140 lbs.