Not only did we have a string of great matchups to end the year, but we also got decisive outcomes, and best of all.... NO EXCUSES from the losers in each fight. Taylor, Kessler, Mosley, and Hatton all tried their asses off, lost, and made no BS excuses for why they didn't win (or that they were robbed, etc). How refreshing! Hopefully this spills over into 2008, although I highly doubt we'll have an excuse-less night on 1/19. Anyway, hats off to the winners and the losers of these great '06 fights. This is the way boxing should be!
Taylor, Kessler, and Mosley had no excuses. But Hatton? He complained about Floyd's elbows, and forearms. When he HARDLY has any room to talk. The bully got bullied tonight.
Floyd did use his elbows dude, what are you talking about?!? Mayweather used his elbows all night, just as he's done in the past. Hatton didn't blame his loss on them, nor did he take anything away from PBF's win. In fact, he was about as honest and gracious in defeat as I have ever heard. Giving an accurate account of the fight and making excuses are two WAY different things.
:notallthere: He did mention them but he did NOT offer that as an excuse for his loss, he gave Floyd FULL credit.
If Hatton was a clean fighter then he could complain about Floyd's elbows. But he's one of the dirtiest fighters in the sport, and I'm GLAD he got a taste of his own medicine and was beaten at his own game.
Exactly. Floyd DID use his elbows all night, as he did against Castillo in their first fight when he was pressured. Hatton wasn't making excuses, he was giving an accurate account of the fight when asked a question.
I think Hatton said something like "he used his elbows and forearms but like I said before it's not a tickling contest". It didn't seem like he was using it as an excuse.
It is also noteworthy considering that three of them lost their "O's" in their losses...and yet the "least" accomplished of the three was Kessler, who was still a two-belt champion in his own right.
Its not really surprising though. You talked all that shit how Fatton would win now hes too small. Im sure you would have done alot of shit talking if Fatton won.
Some nice comments from The Times website (UK) “I took my time and was always in control, showing that a true champion can adapt to anything,†said Mayweather. “I knew coming into the ring that he was going to be tough and that he’d try to rough me up. He’s definitely the toughest competitor I’ve ever faced but I threw a lot of body shots, which hurt him. He kept coming, of course, but I guess that’s why they call him the Hitman. Then I threw that check hook in the 10th round and he never saw it coming. He walked right into the shot. Hatton did well to get up and I respect him for that but there was no way I was going to let him off the hook. “Tonight I showed versatility and I proved that boxing skills are too much for brute force and power. People don’t appreciate my skills and ability I’m not sure where I go from here or what I’m going to do but I’m not talking about fighting right now. I’m going to spend the holidays with my family and I’ll see if I really want to continue boxing. Right now I’m bored with the sport.†Hatton, who is still recognised by The Ring magazine as the light-welterweight champion, insisted that he would continue his career next year and it will probably be in the 10st class. “I was doing all right until I slipped,†he joked. “I gave my best and when I got to rounds five and six I thought I was doing well and the rough and tumble stuff inside was working. There was a bit of holding and grappling going on but I don’t blame Floyd. He was using his forearms a bit, as I said, but it’s not a tickling contest. I’d have done the same. "When the point got taken off in the sixth round I thought that I better put my foot on the gas and that’s when I left myself open. But Floyd’s a hell of a fighter, he boxed with the right tactics and he wasn’t scared when he got close to give the rough stuff back. That’s what boxing’s all about. Floyd knew I could fight and I certainly know now that he can fight. It’s been a pleasure to share the ring with the pound-for-pound champion and he proved it again tonight. I thought I was almost there but when I had to force it he only needed that one chance. I wish him the very best. But as far as my own career is concerned, Ricky Fatton will be back.†:bears:
Some good comments towards each other, but the "bored" comment is a bit convenient considering how stacked 147 has become.
