British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has shared the ring with some of the absolute best throughout his career.
Even as a former world champion, few people have competed with the level of competition that ‘The Hitman’ has. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio are just two of the elite names on the resume of Hatton, who retired with a 45-3 record.
Going a remarkable 43-0 in his career, Hatton was able to pick up world titles in both the super lightweight and welterweight divisions.
However, meeting Mayweather, Hatton would succumb to his first loss. Then, two years later, Hatton would be brutally stopped by Pacquiao.
Ricky Hatton’s first two losses came to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao
Hatton’s 43rd successive win would come in June 2007, when he defeated Jose Luis Castillo. Then, his next challenge would come against Mayweather.
The pair would meet in Las Vegas in December 2007, as Mayweather had a 38-0 record at the time. The WBC World Welterweight title was on the line as the undefeated fighters came together.
However, defending champion Mayweather would be able to hand Hatton his first loss, earning a 10th-round stoppage.
Two years later, Hatton would taste defeat for the second time. Facing the ‘Pac-Man,’ Pacquiao delivered a crushing second-round knockout to Hatton.
However, despite being stopped by both fighters, Hatton had a clear name in mind for the best opponent he had faced.
Ricky Hatton says that Floyd Mayweather is the greatest fighter he has faced
Speaking to Up Front, Hatton looked back on his losses to both Mayweather and Pacquiao.
Comparing the two, Hatton said that, “He [Pacquiao] did a better job than Mayweather,” in terms of the performance the two men put on. The ‘Hitman’ also added that he expected the level of quality from Pacquiao ahead of the bout.
In terms of the emotions he felt after the two bouts, Hatton said he felt ‘numb’ after the Pacquaio loss. As for the Mayweather defeat, Hatton said, “I just remember sitting there thinking to myself, ‘He was ——- good.'”
“People ask me all the time, who was better, Pacquiao or Mayweather? I’d say Mayweather all day.”
Hatton gave special mention to Mayweather’s defensive abilities, explaining how the undefeated fighter was able to evade and block punches by the finest of margins.
However, Hatton said that with the right tactics, he feels he could’ve beaten Mayweather.