RICKY HATTON RULES AGAIN
Hitman batters Paulie Malignaggi to 11-round defeat Las Vegas
RICKY HATTON laid his Las Vegas ghost to rest by hammering Paulie Malignaggi to defeat in 11 rounds early this morning
'The Hitman' dominated the fight to retain his IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight title when Malignaggi's trainer Buddy McGirt threw in the towel 28 seconds into the penultimate round.
When Manchester's favourite fighting son fought in the MGM Grand Garden last December he was battered by Floyd Mayweather Jr in ten rounds.
And when he struggled to outpoint Juan Lazcano in May, there were fears the wars had taken their toll, but Hatton looked totally rejuvenated as he smashed his way to an impressive 45th win in 46 bouts
Dumping Billy Graham and replacing him with Floyd Mayweather Sr worked as Hatton rolled back the years to set up a £50 million showdown with Oscar de la Hoya next May.
Ricky, 30, was just too powerful for Malignaggi, who sensed defeat quickly and was intent on survival.
Slick movers have caused Hatton trouble in the past, but working with defensive maestro Mayweather Sr has paid dividends.
Hatton joked: "I enjoyed it better this time than last time - that is for sure. When I lost to Mayweather I moved up to welterweight, but at light-welterweight nobody will ever beat me."
More than 5,500 fans made the journey to New York to see Joe Calzaghe topple four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr two weeks ago.
There was a similar crowd to roar Hatton on as a small corner in the Nevada desert turned into England for an hour.
The arena at the back of the world's biggest hotel, where it would take you 14 years to spend a night in every room, was fiercely pro-Hatton.
Tickets had been shifting slowly in a city damaged by the credit crunch more than others and the 16,270 capacity venue was cut down to 12,000 for the clash between the best two fighters in the division.
Hatton's noisy army made up most of the crowd, booing the New York-Italian, who is actually one of the nicest fellas you could wish to meet.
'The Hitman's belts were carried to the ring by Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis and the fighter donned a 'Fat Man' suit in a dig at the snipers who criticise his weight ballooning to 13 stone in between fights.
Malignaggi might not have had the crowd on his side but the super-confident American wasn't bothered and shaded the opening round, but that was as good as it got for him.
Hatton bounced back in sensational style, rocking Malignaggi to the soles of his boots with a big overhand right in round two.
The challenger hung on desperately and bell came to save him, although Hatton had his own problems with a horrid bump forming under his left eye.
But Malignaggi's powder-puff punches were not having much effect and his constant holding made scrappy viewing.
Whenever Hatton stalked forward, attempting to unload, his rival looked to duck and then hold, in a negative performance.
Malignaggi finally looked to do something in round six, scoring well with the jab, but Hatton was also landing and walking through his shots.
Hatton really stamped his authority in the fight in the seventh round, connecting with some superb left hooks.
Paulie, 28 today, was intent on survival and when he grabbed Hatton's legs in a desperate effort to get through, McGirt threw in the towel and ref Kenny Bayless ended the slaughter.
Matthew Hatton made it a family double an hour before his brother entered the ring by outpointing iron-chinned Ben Tackie in a welterweight 10-rounder..
Ricky was in his dressing room watching the fight on television, but became so nervous about his little brother he switched off.
Ricky outscored the Ghanaian in December 2003 and his younger brother won a unanimous verdict 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93.
Matthew, 27, dominated the first eight rounds, but clung on for a career best win despite being stung by several big rights.
This article has 3 comments
you could certainly beat him in a **** talking contest.
By dan. Posted November 23 2008 at 11:40 PM.
i could beat hitman hatton and im no boxer
By steve . Posted November 23 2008 at 5:29 PM.
ricky your great! wham bang see what i mean man but i do wish you would get yourselfe a proper pair of shorts then you would really look the business well done son
By moriaty. Posted November 23 2008 at 4:56 PM.