Just 17 months ago in the same arena at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Floyd Mayweather Jnr knocked out Ricky Hatton inside 10 rounds. Last weekend Manny Pacquiao was hoping to emulate that victory and have the same success for himself.
However, this time it took Pacquiao less than two rounds and a mere five minutes 59 seconds to KO Hatton.
The fight ended with a perfect overhand left from the southpaw landing on Hatton's exposed chin, knocking him out cold. As he was falling his head hit the canvas pretty hard.
Hatton: suffers round two KO
This was the second time in as many fights Ricky has been knocked out by one of boxing's best pound-for-pound fighters. If he continues to fight, he should not focus on being the best fighter in the world and there are plenty of other matches out there for him.
All of the build up on HBO's 24/7 showed that, although Floyd Mayweather Snr and Hatton were working on his hand speed and changing his style, there were no signs of what he really needed inside the ring.
This was the second time in as many fights Ricky has been knocked out by one of boxing's best pound-for-pound fighters.
Wayne McCullough
Quotes of the week
Hatton needed to get out of the habit of touching his gloves together which leaves an opening for him to be hit with overhand rights. This, in fact, was the culprit punch of his first knockdown just moments into the first round.
Ricky needs to move his head and use his left jab to get in close but most importantly he needs to tuck his chin into his chest.
Speed the key
Ricky didn't stop trying throughout the short fight always pushing forward, but Pacquiao used his footwork and countered Hatton when he came in close. Pacquiao was pin pointing his shots with his fast hands. Speed is power.Manny certainly let his punches fly and the fight was almost over in the first round. He scored two big knockdowns but the bell rang just after the second count had ended, ultimately saving Ricky for the next round.
It was only a matter of time before the end came in the second round as Hatton didn't change his game plan at all. He charged in with his hands still low and his chin still up allowing Pacquiao to land the left which was the final punch of the fight.
It was a bad knockout and Ricky's second in the last two years. The star studded audience and Hatton's loyal fans were obviously shocked that the fight ended so quickly.
Hatton looked like a little boy just learning how to box - and Pacquiao was the professor!
Comments (9)
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Shaun Adams says...
I feel that ricky Hatton is a good brawler, a decent boxer, but he is divison one material and has nver been premiership stuff. He has beaten who? What Kosta ? Casillas? really is that it, he has beaten mediocre fighters or good fighters iwho are not at their best. He will NEVER beat floyd, he could have a good fight against cotto, but lets face it hatton is nver going to be pound for pound EVER. Also the fact he feels he can put on upto 4stones, tahts 56 pounds and then work it off prior to the fight, shows his dedication to the levels of paquiao and others, he does not deserve the title of pound for pound. Also look at his training, he used to do 12 rounds smacking Billy's pads, and body padding, when has thathelped against great fighters? he cannot change, he was never trained as a boxer properly, and he will never change now, He can say what he wants, call in the best trainers, even if he had Roach in his corner he would have still got battered by Pacman. He was so excited and just forgot evrything he has been taught over 12 weeks, and played into pacmans hands, the worse thing is roach and co, knew exactly how they were going to beat him, it was so obvious to them, so why did hatton not see it, or his team? it is because tactically Hatton and co are just amatuers, who rely on his big punches, what use are they to someone who will not stand there and take it? Time for him to retire? No I think he can get some more cash with some ok fights with cotto and others, as long as he knows he will never beat the top men
Posted 21:06 5th May 2009
John Rees says...
Robert John, wat are u tlking about!! He hasnt beaten any1 good!! U dont win 6 world title's by not beating any1 good! and u certainly dont get into the top 10 Pound 4 Pound fighters in the world, in the most prestigeous boxing magazine that is recognised by having world titles attached to it, if u havent beaten any1 good! Tsyzu- Great win, Malignaggi- emphatic win, Castillo, who went the distance with mayweather knocked out inside 4 rounds, Juan Urango,who is fighting 4 another world title in 3 weeks- won 10 out of 12 rounds! and then lost to the very best 2 fighters of our generation, where is the shame in that!! Muhammed Ali lost 5 professional fights, people nowadays call a fighter average if he loses 1!! he's 1 ov britains greatest champions ever! I could only wish to have the heart of Ricky Hatton and i hope he gives us a goodbye fight here in the UK! What a true credit he is to boxing, to sport and a true role model!
Posted 19:07 5th May 2009
Richard Barker says...
Lightening definitely struck twice in the same place for poor old Hatton! Speed kills!!
Posted 16:52 5th May 2009
Robert John says...
Ricky hasnt really beaten anyone good to be very honest. Bar Kosta but Kosta hadnt fought for a long time at that to. Anyhow there is only 1 fight left for Manny and thats Floyd Jnr. If Ricky decides to carry on maybe he can fight Juan Manual Marquez after Floyd beats him which i'm sure he will. Also is Ricky really king of the Welterweight Division now???? I think not. His belt and pride was stripped of him in awesome fashion. Lets just wish him well what ever he decides.
Posted 14:32 5th May 2009
Tony Rogers says...
Just as i told my brother, step up to great fighters and he will get knocked out!!
Posted 13:03 5th May 2009
Dylan Harper says...
if hatton can't keep his head and use what mayweather was trying to teach him, then i cant see why he would want to fight on. he's proven he was King of his division and he tried to be best pound for pound fighter he couldn't make the big step up. There are to many people who would beat him in the pound for pound title, pac, maywether jr, Mosley, I love hatton fights but i hope he doesnt go through that again. I'd love to see him bow out at city's home ground but if he doesn't he has given his fans years of memories that the boxing world will remember fondly
Posted 12:02 5th May 2009
Efren Vismon says...
it's a make or break bout for Pacquiao or Hatton. Packman just to good for Hatton. Promoting will be good for Ricky, in the league of Dela Hoya.
Posted 11:45 5th May 2009
Harry Biosah says...
I sincerely believe that Mr Hatton's days in the ring are numbered. Personally,he has never impressed me as a boxer.We have seen more talented British boxers in the past.I hope he quits this time.
Posted 11:02 5th May 2009
A M says...
Nice article Wayne but you haven't told me anything i don't know from all the other reports out there. Would be good to get more of an insight from someone as experienced and connected as you as to why the fight went this way. Was it the so-called bust up in the training camp? Floyd Sr turning up late everyday? Or the fact that it was Lee Beard who was apparently doing most of Ricky's training?
Posted 09:29 5th May 2009
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