Bruce Springsteen "The Boss" Reminded Me Why Were All Ricky Hatton Fans!

Bruce Springsteen "The Boss" Reminded Me Why Were All Ricky Hatton Fans!

By Coach K (May 6, 2009)

Two days after watching Ricky Hatton’s second round destruction at the hands of Manny Pacquiao I stepped away from boxing for a respite and went to see a Bruce Springsteen concert. About three songs into probably my fiftieth Springsteen show I looked around the sold out coliseum and was still amazed at all the standing singing and cheering fans. I couldn’t help but think of Hatton’s faithful singing and cheering the name of their fallen hero even as he laid there unconscious.

Springsteen like Hatton carries a moniker, Bruce is known as “The Boss” Hatton we know as the “Hitman.” Both names sending a message nothing’s going to be held back and their in charge.

Springsteen a musician not a fighter has a work ethic any boxing trainer would be proud of. Like Hatton it is Springsteen’s blue collar persona that endears him to his fans. He’s no Mario Lanza or Frank Sinatra but his voice echo’s some kind of truth in his workman like marathon performances. Together with his proclivity to sing about the struggles of daily life Bruce’s raw voice tugs at his fans life strings as does Hatton’s take no prisoner style.

It’s in the ring Hatton’s raw skills and tenacity that keeps them coming. Some of his out of the ring antics and disregard for stardom holds then dear. Both come off as everyday Joe’s. They can be seen anywhere, on the street, in the store even the local local pub. It is that lack of concern for notoriety and knowing what they will get at show time that keeps them coming. With Bruce’s it’s a top shelf rock and roll show and the “Hitman” is sure to give you a knockdown drag out pier one brawl. Most Hatton fans aren’t blind to his limited skills they just overshadow them with their own dreams and focus on results.

As I watched a totally sweat soaked Springsteen refresh himself with a drink of water I thought of Hatton’s ridiculous mammoth training sessions. His rough, crude straight ahead brawler style, always engaging in entertaining and sometimes very violent fights often seeing him leave the ring bruised, severely cut and swollen, even in victory. I couldn’t help but reflect back to June 2005 in a gym as one of only two Hatton fans watching the “Hitman” meet and beat Kosta Tszyu as a monstrous underdog. It was that fight that put him in British boxing lore for life.

Bruce a music underdog early on was playing small clubs until his “big fight” in 1974 when he released “Born to Run” an album touching themes from escape to a last ditch attempt at to reach your dreams. The song Jungleland hit now like it did then. Like a ripping Hatton left hook to the liver. It dropped the music industry where it stood in 1975 and me in my tracks last night.

Like a fighter in preparation Springsteen and his E Street Band have been known to rehearse relentlessly preparing for their marathon shows, sometimes five hours long. Last night at fifty nine years old the “Boss” didn’t appear to slow down a step he kept the show driving full speed ahead. He moved from song to song with the tempo of the eleventh round June 2005. His audience connect was sparked and his lyrics were heart punches no opponent could withstand, the body work was done long before.

I’m not sure if it’s the underdog thing, their all or nothing attitude, putting it all on the line, go for broke mentality or that they give you the feeling their just like you that is loved by Bruce and Ricky fans but I know whether you’re a Hatton or Springsteen fan “at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe.”

Watch Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton - High Quality - Live High Definition Video, HD JB