At a London press conference, it was announced that Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton returns to the ring in an exhibition fight against ring legend Marco Antonio Barrera on July 2 at the AO Arena in Hatton’s hometown of Manchester, England. The exhibition will not be scored and no winner will be announced.
Also on the card is a boxing match between UFC fighters Dan Hardy and Diego Sanchez, and a bout between rappers Casper Walsh and Don Strapzy. The event is being put on by Mike Jones of Europa Concerts.
Barrera was an excellent counter puncher in his prime while Hatton’s offensive high work rate was his mainstay. Barrera relied on his technique as a good boxing technician while Hatton utilized a busy one-dimensional offense to wear down opponents. Who would win in their primes? Barrera would slowly pick Hatton apart with effective counters until the late rounds and break him down. Sadly, Hatton’s offense was heavily exposed, and the riddle was solved once Pac-man and Mayweather demonstrated their greatness on Hatton. Hatton was obsessed with food during his prime ballooning up and down in weight prior to his fights. After a while, I am sure it takes a toll.
Presuming weight was no factor (because Hatton’s prime was at 140 and Barrera’s was probably at 126, maybe even 122), I agree with you. Hatton would have gotten off to a great start but Barrera would have turned the tide and either took a clear decision or late stoppage imo.
Thinking about it: If you have not seen Barrera – Kennedy McKinney, definitely look that up. First main event in the history of HBO’s Boxing After Dark and easily one of the greatest fights it ever had as well.
@Lucie Saw Barrera-McKinney that night on HBO, and at least a couple times since. Great fight.
Looking back on that era, still suprised that Junior Jones was able to beat Barrera twice. I thought going into the first fight that Jones didn’t have the chin to get past Barrera, but he ended up winning by KO. McKinney, on the other hand, managed to knock Jones out. Some pretty fan friendly fighters in that weight class around that time…
Junior Jones was a really good fighter, two time world champion and he beat some really good fighters like Orlando Canizales. But you’re right USF, never would have thought he had the chin to beat Barrera. He got knocked out five times in his career, even once by a journeyman, and HE BEAT MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA TWICE! Makes no sense at all!
I think Hatton was just too big
Hmm vastly different weight classes in their “prime.” It would be like asking who’d win between prime Duran (135) vs prime Roy Jones (160). Hatton was 140 prime and Barrerra 126 prime. Hatton is short but still the bigger guy.
I’d love to be there for this. Two fan friendly greats.
O wish former boxers could retire gracefully. This is getting tiresome!
I enjoyed watching both fighters during their active prime years…siiiiii.
Any/All exhibition fights during inactive retirement years…no gracias.
This is ridiculous.
Why??!!!
hatton is vastly underrated here i think. His only losses in his prime are to one of the top 5 fighters of all time in floyd at 147 (hatton naturally at 140)and to one of the greatest fighters in the last 30 years…pacman.
I think he is too big for Barrera who isnt as great a counter puncher as floyd BY FAR nor does he have the pop pacman did to prevent the onslaught from hatton.
hatton wpts or late stoppage from bodyshots.
More likely a friendly sparring session where nobody gets hurt.
I don’t know why is this really neccesary. I won’t see it, no way, even by youtube days afterwards.