Ricky "Hitman" Hatton

At the end of 2004 Ricky Hatton was one of boxing's biggest question marks. We knew he could fight, but we didn't know if he could fight against the top notch fighters in (at that time) probably the most talented weight division in the sport (junior welterweight). Ricky Hatton was fighting the Vince Phillips, and the Mike Stewarts and the Ray Oliveiras, all good fighters but all definitely not in the league of Miguel Cotto, Vivian Harris (at that time he was considered a serious threat), Kostya Tyszu, Arturo Gatti, and Floyd Mayweather. Hatton was supposed to get his chance earlier that year with WBA junior welterweight kingpin Vivian Harris but his biggest opportunity fell short due to an injury suffered by Harris during training camp. So the question was, when is Hatton going to get his big opportunity to shine? That question was answered when he signed to fight long time champion Kostya Tyszu in "The Hitman's" hometown. In a fight in which most experts picked a kayo for Tyszu, Hatton kept on him from the opening bell and never let up nor took a step back en route to an eleventh round stoppage when Tyszu quit on his stool. That was one of the most amazing moments of 2005 and one of the best performances of 2005. Hatton also shined in unification bout with always difficult Carlos Maussa. Hatton is moving up to welterweight to fight Luis Collazo for his WBA welterweight title May 13th.