Wayne McCullough - Sky Sports Expert

Back to the future

No more clouds on Hatton's horizon, just another mega-fight

Posted: 27th November 2008 08:30

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Ricky Hatton after victory over Paulie Malignaggi gumshield

Hatton: hunger returns

Hatton's style in this fight reminded me of his early fights and leading up to the fight with Kostya Ttszyu where he was young, hungry fighter. He pushed forward, guns blazing, walking through shots. That was the Hatton I like.

Wayne McCullough
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Maybe critics will stop talking about Ricky Hatton's conditioning now since he took care of business by defeating Paulie Malignaggi convincingly last weekend when Buddy McGirt threw in the towel at 28 seconds into the 11th round.

Hatton was up 99-91 on all three cards. Ricky's conditioning was better having spent more time in Las Vegas living at altitude might have helped.

The first round belonged to Malignaggi as he came out with his usual fast hands and footwork. Hatton seemed as though he was thinking too much about what to do and was getting beaten to the punch.

I was glad to see in round two that he came out like he was starting the fight over in his old way charging forward throwing shots hurting Malignaggi with a solid right to the head.

Hatton pushed forward throughout throwing jabs and when he was inside he used his signature power shots to the body and was able to hurt Paulie on a few occasions and it looked like he was going down.

Paulie had a knack of holding Hatton's waist or legs to keep him up and he should've been warned for this, but he wasn't.

Going into the 11th Paulie knew he needed a knockout to win the fight but merely moved around the ring trying to avoid any more punishment.

The fight was called by McGirt 28 seconds into the session much to Malignaggi's protests and disbelief. He had been stopped but had taken a lot of punishment and his trainer said he wanted his guy to live to fight another day.

Hunger

They knew he wasn't going to win and hadn't the punch the change anything in the final rounds.

Hatton's style in this fight reminded me of his early fights and leading up to the fight with Kostya Ttszyu where he was young, hungry fighter. He pushed forward, guns blazing, walking through shots. That was the Hatton I like.

Paulie didn't hit half as hard as Tszyu but he landed some shots. It was clear though that Ricky was getting hit but the shots had no effect so he pressured continuously until the stoppage.

Hatton proved a lot of non-believing people wrong.

His stamina was much better and his hunger, which is the most important thing for a fighter, was clearly visible.

Talk of fighting Manny Pacquiao was raised but Oscar de la Hoya stands in front of Pacquiao next month. But Pacquiao can still make 140lbs (10 stones) and Hatton is unbeaten in this weight class.

Ricky Hatton left the MGM Arena last December with his career cloudy after the Mayweather bout but this time he leaves with a mega fight right in front of him.

Hatton still has it - and yearns for a lot more.

Comments

Dan Eaz says...

I agree with the comments previous. Manny would be the more meaningful fight. The closer it gets to December 6th the more im starting to think Manny is not only going to beat Oscar, but i feel he might knock him out.. Then its going to raise the question for the Hitman. .. Does he fight the best, or does he fight the name? I feel win or lose Hatton and Hoya will end up in the ring, and maybe if we are lucky Manny v Cotto will be the next major event. . . I doubt we will get that lucky. . . If Hoya comes down in weight i think Hatton if he is on form could do the unthinkable!

Posted 15:23 1st December 2008

John Slade says...

Excellent article its great to see Ricky back to what he used to be i just hope he retains the skills of Mayweather Snr who has clearly made an impact on his boxing its quite clear that Floyd Mayweather Jnr was a class above Ricky when they boxed last year no one can take that away from him - however its nice to see Ricky back to doing what he does best chase them down and in your face every round he looked fit boxed smart and defended well.

Posted 09:14 28th November 2008

Jack Joe says...

Great article Wayne, hope that some of the American writers take it in and start seeing Ricky for what he his, a great boxer and slugger. I wish this talk with Oscar being Ricky's next fight would stop. I think most people just see this as a money spinner whereas a bout with Pacquiao would be more exciting, more meaningful and would still bring in the americans. A fight a 140lbs between Manny and Ricky could easily be a fight of the decade, a pick em fight. But we'll just have to wait and see.

Posted 17:53 27th November 2008

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