Mayweather Defeats Hatton
Floyd Mayweather Knocks Out Ricky Hatton and Stays Undefeated
In round ten, Floyd Mayweather threw a short, sharp left hook to drop Ricky Hatton as Hatton stalked Floyd to the ropes. Hatton got up at the count of eight, but Mayweather, sensing victory, cracked Hatton with two more left hooks, sending him to the canvas once again as referee Joe Cortez stepped in to save Hatton from further punishment. Mayweather retains his World Boxing Council Welterweight title.
The fight started well for Hatton as he forced Mayweather to the ropes and showed more hand and foot speed than anticipated. Hatton's mauling style seemed to befuddle Mayweather in the early rounds, but Mayweather soon adapted.
On the inside, Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) fought well, by blocking Hatton's shots with his forearms and pivoting away from the more dangerous blows. As the fight progressed, Mayweather started to land regularly on the inside.
In the fifth, Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs) lost a point for trying to hit Mayweather on the back of the head. Had he landed flush it might have done him some good. As it was, he lost a point he didn't need anyway.
Much of the fight followed Hatton's declared preference with much mauling and infighting, but Hatton discovered first-hand why Mayweather is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Hatton threw forearm shots across Mayweather's face and Mayweather returned fire with matching blows. Hatton shouldered Mayweather to the ropes and Mayweather launched uppercuts, snapping the Brit's head back.
Mayweather pulled a jab out of his quiver in the ninth round and landed 11 of the 15 he threw. Undaunted, Hatton continued to press often using good head movement while on his way in. Even so, Mayweather repeatedly limed Hatton and smacked him as he bulled forward.
By round ten, Mayweather head begun pot-shotting Hatton with greater frequency and the fight took on a common Mayweather theme with the Champion taking the early rounds to assess his opponent and using the last half of the fight to dissect him.
Hatton, by now slowed by the constant punishment, neglected to bob or weave as he walked straight into the left hook that led to his first professional loss.
In an impressive show of alliegience, Hatton's fans, most of whom had flown in from the UK, continued to chant his name even after he had been knocked out and the official results were read by the ubiquitous Michael Buffer. Even Mayweather seemed impressed by the show of support for his rival.
Suite101 had the fight scored 89-83 in favor of Mayweather at the time of the stoppage.
