Ricky Hatton

[Buzzo]

[Fosterbloke]

He was frank about it last time and said quite clearly his punch resistance has gone, and that once that's gone you're finished. Bizarre decision to come back. He can't be skint, surely.

Pardon my ignorance but how do you get 'punch resistance'? Does it mean the ability to absorb blows to the body?

[Shaggy]

I'm not sure you can "get it" - boxers just have it (unless you're Amir Khan LOL) - but as you get older it ebbs away. Hatton freely admitted his had gone, he could no longer take a punch. And once it's gone, it's gone.

[Alex]

Personally I think there is some value in him coming back. He is never going to be the fighter he was. But I have no problems with him bouncing around in the middle of it all beating older/past it fighters.

Some of my favorite evenings with mates has been watching Hatton Fights. Drinking, Smoking, Playing Poker and Talking ****. It was always fun.

Now we meet up to watch Haye make a cunt of himself and its no fun

[Zapater]

Yeah, there's no such thing as "punch resistance" really. I used to be an amateur boxer and some guys can take a punch, others can't. It's natural. If you're born with a glass jaw, you pretty much always have one, given that fitness and mental state helps but you can't develop a great chin. Guys like Haye etc (who can take a decent shot, but have known to be knocked down) have to take measures to avoid this hindering their performance.

However, you do have to get used to being hit, particularly in the face. I.e. The first few days of sparring if you haven't fought in ages could result in bruises and black eyes etc. Your muscles/skin adapts after a while to taking shots which is some sort of natural resistance I suppose. When you get hit the first time in a long time... it can ****ing hurt, even if it's a jab, your natural reaction is to pull away once your head is snapped back. An active fighter won't blink at a mid-strength punch, which is what I think Hatton is referring to. In terms of the body it's a combination of core strength, balance, conditioning and recent familiarity of being hit.

Overall it's a mental thing but I can fully understand why some pros after 10-15 year careers who are multi-millionaires can't be ****ed waking up at 5 in the morning and getting punched for a living. In terms of older guys not being able to take a punch anymore, I think it's partially because of this, partially because they're shot. It's the same as footballers in their mid 30's not being able to do the same things they could do when they were younger. In boxing though it's more to do with how many tough fights you've had rather than your age. Hatton isn't old, but he has been in a few tough fights including the ones he won. I don't think that the Pacquiao business would do too much to you physically, because it was over in the blink of an eye, but mentally it would be devastating.

Regardless, i think it's idiotic of Hatton. The landscape of boxing is paved with guys who had one fight too many and it's not pretty. The way Hatton lives outside of the ring should ensure he never steps into one ever again.

[Shaggy]

Great post mate, interesting stuff.

[Alex]

Yeah good post. I totally agree with the last line too. I think one of the reasons he struggled against some was because he was ballooning up in between fights. The body cant enjoy doing stuff like that

[Zapater]

Talking about fighters being shot though, Roy Jones Jr is a perfect example. Which I guess could be described as depleted "punch resistance". He used to be untouchable and had a reasonable chin, but now it seems every second decent punch knocks him out.

[Daniel 7]

I wish Naseem would come back just to fight him

Imagine that!

[Darth Marty]

He has some good domestic fights but hes way past his best, Malignaggi is the only champion he would beat & even that would depend on Hatton retaining some of his punch power, in all likelyhood he wouldnt catch the chopsy prick.

Its gotta be about money hasnt it?

[Daniel 7]

Malignaggi is a champion?

[Darth Marty]

Yes

[Alex]

[Chazza]

No news on his opponent yet.

[spud_gun]

Looks like his comeback wont be on Sky Sky Sports News have given this scant coverage.