Josh Taylor and Tony Bellew agree on winner of Prime Ricky Hatton vs Prime Amir Khan

When boxing fans discuss the sport, one popular topic of conversation is who would win in a hypothetical matchup between fighters who never actually fought each other. Sugar Ray Robinson vs Roy Jones Jr or Muhammad Ali vs Mike Tyson are just two that are often discussed. On a recent episode of the Fight Your Corner Podcast, Tony Bellew and Josh Taylor discussed who would win between a prime Ricky Hatton and a prime Amir Khan.

The careers of Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan

Hatton (45-3, 2 KOs) enjoyed a memorable career, with his legacy in British boxing secured. “The Hitman” amassed a massive following, and followed him from the Kingsway Leisure Centre to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Hatton was a phenomenal pressure fighter, whose signature punch was a devastating left hook to the body of his opponents. Hatton’s best wins came against Kostya Tszyu, Jose Luis Castillo, and Paulie Malignaggi. “The Hitman” unfortunately lost his life on Sunday, September 14. He will always be a one-of-a-kind, making sure there will only ever be one Ricky Hatton.

Khan (34-6, 21 KOs) was a decorated amateur, winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics. He turned professional on July 16, 2005, stopping David Bailey at the Bolton Arena.

He dazzled at times and was 18-0, with many tipping him for the top, before he ran into the heavy-handed Breidis Prescott, losing in a shocking one-round demolition. “King Khan” went on to lose five more times, but at the highest level. His speed and timing made him one of the most fan-friendly fighters. 

Khan did suffer numerous knockdowns during his career, but he was pure box office. His best wins came against Paulie Malignaggi, Andriy Kotelnik, and most impressively vs Marcos Maidana. 

Khan and Hatton both competed at super lightweight and welterweight during their careers.

Ricky Hatton vs Amir Khan: Tony Bellew and Josh Taylor discuss

On the Fight Your Corner Podcast, Bellew posed the question to Josh Taylor: Who wins Prime Amir Khan v Prime Ricky Hatton and how?

“Hatton, eventually, in the end. I do think Hatton would struggle with his speed and the timing Amir Khan, but I just think Hatton’s head movement and his angles were really good and his inside work where Khan wasn’t the best, inside, anyway.

“But I just think eventually he’d have gotten to Amir Khan think he would have hit him body shot, his signature body shot,” said Taylor.

After Taylor’s prediction, Bellew had his say: “I love both of them. Both of them are my mates, got to know them over the years, but ultimately it’s a hard one that like I feel that you know what? I agree.

“Ricky’s face would be a mess. When Ricky finally gets to Amir, he’d be like he will have been beaten to a pulp, I think. I think he’d be behind on points, but I think Ricky comes from behind to get rid of him,” said Bellew.

“My prediction would be Hatton, and probably by KO, but maybe. Round 8, round 9,” added Taylor.

Featured Image Credit:

Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports