Ricky Hatton and his crazy British fans crossed the pound once again in December for the much-anticipated Hatton-Mayweather fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada which had always been a dream of Hatton's because of its boxing legacy. Unfortunately for Ricky referee Joe Cortez's intrusive overly officiousness ruined the fight. Within seconds Cortez was breaking up the action which suited Mayweather but broke up Hatton's flow. In round 6 Hatton had a point deducted (rather unfairly) causing him to put on the gas leaving himself open. Mayweather got lucky landing a left hook to Hatton's chin in round ten which left Hatton dazed only to get up and be downed again losing the bout at 1:35 of round 10 by TKO.
Hatton insisting he is not finished plans to come back strong in front of hometown fans on May 24th in an IBO light welterweight title fight against Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium also known as Eastlands. Hatton hasn't fought in Manchester since his 2005 fight with Tszyu. Paul Malignaggi whom Hatton may be fighting next in the US will be fighting Lovemore N'dou on the Hatton-Lazcano undercard.
| Fight | Location | Date | Boxing Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatton vs Lazcano | Manchester Stadium, Manchester, GB |
May 24, 2008 Saturday 5:00 PM |
Hatton vs Lazcano Tickets |
Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton
Ricky Hatton known to muscle his opponents around with his nonstop, smoothering style of boxing currently holds the Ring World Light Welterweight Championship, IBO World and WBC International Light Welterweight titles. Hatton formerly was the IBF World, WBA World, WBU World, WBA Inter-Continental, WBO Inter-Continental, British, British Central Area Light Welterweight and WBA World Welterweight Champion.
Hatton got the attention of boxing fans in American when he beat Russian Kostya Tszyu by an 11th round TKO on June 04, 2005 at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England. Quitting on his stool, the legendary Tszyu does not come out of the corner after round eleven. Tszyu's trainer, Johnny Lewis threws in the towel. Ricky Hatton wins the IBF Light Welterweight title that Tszyu had held since 2001.
On November 26, 2005 at Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield, England Hatton beats Carlos Maussa by a 9th round KO dropping him with a left hook. Referee Vann waved off the fight after reaching a count of nine when Maussa's cornerman entered the ring. Unifiying the titles, Hatton, who already held the WBU and IBF light welterweight titles, captures the WBA Light Welterweight title from Maussa who was defending it for the 1st time after winning it in an upset from Vivian Harris earlier that year.
For his commanding performances in 2005 Hatton wins numerous awards including the 2005 Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year, 2005 ESPN.com Fighter of the Year and 2005 BWAA Fighter of the Year.
In 2006 Hatton moves up to welterweight and beats Luis Collazo by a 12 round unanimous decision on May 13, 2006 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston capturing the WBA Welterweight title from Collazo. Hatton scores a flash knockdown of Collazo in round one, opens up a cut on Collazo's head in round 3 with an accidental head butt, slips and was wobbled in round 12.
Hatton, moving back down in weight reclaimed his IBF light welterweight title by a 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Urango on January 20, 2007 at the Paris Las Vegas. It was Hatton's first fight in Las Vegas. With his superior boxing skills, Hatton dominated and outclassed Urango throughout the bout.
Ricky Hatton vs Jose Luis Castillo 4th round KO
Ringside Las Vegas: Ricky Hatton beat Jose Luis Castillo by 4th round KO on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.in front of more than 7,000 British fans who chanted and sang songs to a marching band up playing drums and trumpets up in the stands throughout the entire fight as if it was a soccer match. Hatton dropped Castillo with a perfect left hook to the liver. Referee Joe Cortez counted out Castillo who was paralyzed with pain, unable to move at 2:16 into round 4. It was a flawless execution and an impressive win for Hatton aka "The Manchester Mexican." who was on the offense from round one and the first time in Castillo's career that he was knocked down.