Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that Floyd Mayweather is really retired. This fight would then be the last of his career. And what a performance.
People can say whatever they want, and some of what they'll say is true. Yes, Ricky Hatton isn't really a welterweight. For the record, neither is Floyd. Yes, Ricky was a heavy underdog, and this is more or less exactly what Floyd should have done.
But Ricky Hatton has never lost to anyone except Mayweather, who knocked him out. Everyone can harp on about Hatton being overrated, but he's had a great career and has been a hell of a fighter.
And not only was this a big performance by Mayweather, but it proved a lot about how big of a star he has become. When he fought Oscar and broke records, Oscar was the guy carrying the load from mainstream fan perspective. But during the build-up, it was Floyd that made it interesting, Floyd that carried the lion's share in hyping. Oscar isn't all that charismatic, really. Floyd is. The great success of Mayweather-Hatton -- which will be remembered much more fondly by most fans than Mayweather-de la Hoya, I think -- was a testament to Mayweather, and to Hatton's marketability, too.
Should Floyd really leave for good, don't think anyone's going to quickly take over his spot. Sure, someone else will be crowned true welterweight champion eventually, and someone else will take over the top of the P4P lists. But he became a lot more than that. He was a bankable star attraction. That's what will be intensely difficult for everyone to replace. Love him or hate him, you always pay attention to him.
And all that said, I still think we see him again next year.