06.06.08 – By Vivek Wallace: In this weeks ‘Call em Out Fridays’ segment we take a look at a fighter who stands short in stature, yet very large in ability and presence. Rarely in any sport has their ever been such a cult following associated with any figure like that of the many men and woman who boldly support the man standing at center stage today. His persona in many ways replicates the group that follows him, and despite such a rambunctious nature, when the bell rings, the man who’d rather spend a night sippin’ on a low-key brewski and throwing darts is all action and all business. Like any other ‘Call em Out Fridays’ session, we take a look and the upside perspective, the downside perspective, and my perspective. When the facts are all laid out, we let you chime in so we can hear your perspective. So after previously calling out Mayweather, Pacquiao, Calzaghe, and many others, today to ‘Call Out’ the big-little guy simply known as ‘The Hitman’..
RICKY HATTON- THE UPSIDE PERSPECTIVE: Aptly nicknamed the ‘Manchester Madman’, Ricky Hatton has given England, and in effect, the world of boxing a few of its most memorable moments. Rarely has any fight fan seen such a keg of dynamite, wrapped in such a small package, but delivering large and very bombastic results every time. Despite racking up colossal results and making a huge name for himself in the U.K., it wasn’t until 2005 that the rest of the fight world truly took notice of Hatton, as he put together one of his most dominant performances ever by shocking the world and forcing one of the sports premiere figures (Tszyu) to quit on his stool. The fan fare was already buzzing, but after this historical win for Hatton, it was pretty clear to the Jr. welterweight division that the sports newest and perhaps brightest star at the time was born. Despite being a well above average talent in the ring, it was the attitude of Hatton outside the ring that everyone in his presence always gravitates to. By all accounts, Ricky Hatton is a peoples person, with a very infectious attitude, known as the life of the party at all times for all in attendance. His proverbial ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ persona that flip flops when he’s in the ring compared to when he was outside of it keeps him a fan favorite to this very day. After so many years of dominance and good times, for many in the U.K., it was hard to fathom the possibility of this bright star ever reaching a dimming point. But as we often see in the sport of boxing, any given night the best of the best can find themselves on the receiving end of a wrath previously unseen. And for the ‘Hitman’, unfortunately, he would be no different….
RICKY HATTON – THE DOWNSIDE PERSPECTIVE: Despite great success in the ring, after years of finding victory with little effort, Hatton’s ways outside of the ring began to finally catch up to him. The once seemingly invincible fighter had finally began to demonstrate the ill-effects of one too many keg-and-chicken-leg nights. Punches that rarely landed in the past suddenly began to fall flush. Shots that never used to hurt began to show visible lingering effects. Very vocal about his lifestyle away from the ring, the quick-to-find-humor-in-himself Hatton has been far from bashful in admitting that his love for food and beer could one day be his ultimate demise. In what became a very ominous result, as quick as he ascended to stardom, the star of Hatton quickly began to descend. The sudden decline was evident for all to see for the first time when Hatton took on New York fave Luis Collazo. Despite getting a flash knockdown only 10 seconds into the fight, by the nights end, it was Hatton who would be out-slicked and in the minds of most, outperformed. The apex moment in the fight for Collazo was in the 12th round when he badly wobbled the ‘Hitman’. Hatton was able to successfully defend himself that night but the questions began to surface. After a not so Hatton-like performance against the one dimensional Juan Urango, the ‘Hitman’ was able to finally get back on track against Jose Luis Castillo where he landed a 4th round KO against a man most viewed as somewhat ‘shot’, but still formidable. This fight would setup the biggest fight of Hatton’s career, as he took part in one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport against Welterweight/Pound for Pound great, Floyd Mayweather Jr. On the biggest stage of his career, in the end, Hatton would find himself winded late in the fight, and suddenly unable to cope with the speed and pure talent of Mayweather. This historic night would ultimately yield Hatton his first loss, and what a humbling session it was. The antics, the bravado, and the kegs and chicken legs would ultimately culminate into a sheer inability to optimize his chances at his careers highest peak, leaving the ‘Hitman’ at the brink of retirement.
RICKY HATTON – THIS WRITERS PERSPECTIVE: When it all boils down, I think Ricky Hatton stands at the proverbial middlegrounds of his career. He can make a left turn and end up humbled once again and subsequently out of the sport, or he can make the right turns and find himself right back in the thick of things. The potential for a career that exceeds greatness was all there. The seed was planted. The desire simply faded. Granted, few in the sport train as passionately as Hatton does, and there’s no denying his drive to succeed, but his performance against Mayweather late in the fight, followed by what most viewed as a mediocre performance against Lazcano raised far more questions than most would like. What was even more unnerving is the fact that Hatton’s away-from-ring escapades have pretty much remained visible in the aftermath. At the end of the day, if Hatton wants to find the success he desires, it’ll take far more commitment than he appears to be ready to give. For all the things most dislike about Mayweather, it’s his work ethic alone that separates him from the rest of the pack. Any Las Vegas local can attest to seeing him on the streets running in the wee hours of the morning, or training when the rest of the world sleeps. In the world of sports, the true battle starts before you ever hit the ring, court, or field, and for those who routinely fail to make that commitment, the results when it counts often echo that same failure. It’ll be great to see Hatton reach his optimal level once again, but if he doesn’t plan to commit himself the way he once did, I think that career in promotions that he speaks loudly of now days should go into effect immediately. Lennox Lewis stated after Hatton’s lost to Mayweather that he should go ahead and retire. Most of us had no idea why he’d make such a statement after Hatton’s one and only career loss. Perhaps he knew something the rest of us didn’t. If that something coincides with Hatton’s failure to commit himself like he would need to, in a not-so-rare sequence of events, I think I’d have to agree with the former champ. But that’s my opinion. Now that we’ve taken a look and both perspectives, and my perspective, the time has come to hear yours…Sound off, and let the discussions begin……
(Got Feedback or Questions? Write ESB’s Vivek Wallace at vivexemail@yahoo.com or show some love at www.myspace.com/anonymouslyinvolved)