Hatton - I'll get better

Hatton: more to come

Nobody will ever beat me at junior welterweight, I really believe that. But what sort of champion would I be if I didn't take them challenges on? That's what Ricky Hatton is all about.

Ricky Hatton
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HATTON v MALIGNAGGI
IBO Light-Welterweight title
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• Hatton turns on the magic
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• Matthew mirrors Hitman's win
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Ricky Hatton believes there is still more to come from his new lease of life.

The Hitman was back to his best in dominating Paulie Malignaggi - until Buddy McGirt's 11th-round intervention - as he returned to the scene of his only defeat, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

There were signs that Floyd Mayweather's training has already had an impact on the Mancunian as he showed some of the boxing abilities that had fallen by the wayside.

He admitted himself there were times when frustration crept in and he could've been more clinical, but expects that to come in time as he and Mayweather get to know one another better.

Frustration

"I've just come into a new camp, I've been working on new things," he said. "Me and Floyd have come together probably about seven, eight weeks and it doesn't happen overnight. But I think I showed glimpses of what I can do.

"I think frustration was creeping in though. Even though Paulie is known for his speed and the way he fights, he's a lot tougher than he looks.

"I think I hurt him too early in the fight - I think the first punch I threw I hurt him. From there on in it was foot on the gas and slightly at times went back to the old Ricky Hatton, but slowly but surely Floyd will get me out of that.

"I was a little bit more patient. Me and Floyd had said I would be my usual aggressive self but I was picking shots off a bit better, I left my chin out to dry a couple of times, but I was using my jab a bit better, moving my head a bit more.

"It can still get a damn sight better, I'm under no illusions about that because Paulie picked me off a couple of times."

Hatton had some sympathy for Malignaggi and the manner of the stoppage but did point out that the fight had been one-sided since the second round.

And he gave his new trainer a glowing review for his work in between rounds - something that had been questioned by those fearing he would not be the same without his old mate Billy Graham behind me.

"I think when the stoppage came Paulie was looking a bit spent and maybe people will see it as a bit premature - I know Paulie did," he said.

"I haven't seen the tape yet and I don't know what it looked like from the outside, but in the second round I hurt him, then I started cocking my punches a bit too much and telegraphing them and that's something you can't do with someone as fast as Paulie.

Problems

"Floyd was telling me in the corner 'listen, you've got plenty of time to do it'. The sooner you catch someone that should be the warning sign to slow down, not go faster.

"I think if you stick Paulie in with any other fighter, his style - loads of left jabs to contend with, drops his shoulder, spins off the ropes - he would give them massive problems. He's a good fighter and a lot tougher than he looks. Definitely."

The victory leaves Hatton head and shoulders above the rest of the light-welterweight division.

Only explosive WBO champion Kendall Holt represents any sort of threat to his supremacy - and he fights Ricardo Torres next week - so it came as no surprise when the Hitman welcomed the chance to take on Oscar de la Hoya next.

And despite losing to Floyd Mayweather Jnr on only his second venture up to 147lbs, the Hitman said he would be happy to do it again.

"Bring it on!" he said. "I've had 46 fights and I've only lost one to the newly-out-of-retirement Floyd Mayweather and he was the best pound-for-pound.

"Nobody will ever beat me at junior welterweight, I really believe that. But what sort of champion would I be if I didn't take them challenges on? That's what Ricky Hatton is all about."