Adam Smith says Ricky Hatton should be thinking about going out on a high after beating Juan Lazcano.
Ricky proves he's still the best welterweight
So the dust has well and truly settled on Ricky Hatton's magnificent Manchester event - when his boyhood dream became reality and the City of Manchester stadium was rocking to the Hitman's beat.
I spent some of the day of the fight with Ricky, who, whilst as amicable as ever, was the most nervous I have seen him at any stage of his 10 and a half year career. He had pressure on his shoulders. Coming back from defeat is not easy; to do that in front of thousands and thousands of fans must have been tough.
Yes, Juan Lazcano was not really expected to win the fight, a great deal of his boxing has been down at lightweight and his best days are behind him. Yet top trainer Ronnie Shields had whipped the Mexican-American into awesome shape and Lazcano promised us that ' he would fulfil his destiny' and that he was 'going to flatten Hatton'!
His nicknames of 'The Hispanic Causing Panic and 'The Chosen Juan' amused us greatly.
Over 5,000 packed the weigh-in at The Trafford Centre. Some had been waiting for 5 hours. Extra seats were brought in for fight night and by the time they had counted those wining and dining in their boxes, over 58,000 people were there.
Looking around at ringside, I couldn't see one empty seat. Promoter Lou DiBella said that no American fighter could draw anywhere near that figure. The atmosphere was electric, and Hatton didn't disappoint.
Hatton seemed glad to be back at 10 stone, and made a fiery start, but early on trainer Billy Graham kept asking him how he felt. The worry was that the chest infection that had hampered Hatton's preparation was in fact more serious than had been revealed.
The Hitman more than lasted the pace - and looked good at times. He tried to go back to basics, and I loved it when he used his jab. There was still not quite enough of that for me, but his body shots were spot on, his timing fine and Lazcano had to take serious lumps and bumps. There were four or five times during the 12 rounds when it looked like Lazcano would go, but he just winked down at ringside and kept believing. It was a quite astonishing display of courage.
Press
Lazcano also had his moments. Hatton was rocked, especially in the eighth and 10th, and looked easy to hit. He's long been a target because of his style of getting in close, but his leaky defence and lack of head movement was apparent again.
It was a strange one, because Hatton won it by a landslide and came back brilliantly, but you left feeling that he can't have too many more. I thought, taking on board all the components, it was about a seven or eight out of 10.
I knew some of the press would criticise Hatton. But I think he gave the fans exactly the type of display they wanted and certainly proved he is still the man to beat at light-welterweight.
Two or three more, maybe, but I'm not sure I would put him back in with Mayweather. The Hatton's will want it for the money - and yes, it could break records if they can tempt him over here. But will the result be any different? Hatton craves another crack but he may be better off staying at light-welterweight and trying to go out on a high.
The Americans weren't all as impressed; complaining of the clinches. I just don't buy that. 12 rounds of entertaining action, a good fight card and all the atmosphere around the night was certainly excellent value for money. It was a happening. Take it for what it was.
Magic Man
Hatton looks set to fight Paulie Malignaggi in the autumn. Poor statement from the Magic Man on the show, who couldn't conjure up any tricks whatsoever. All his attempts to steal the limelight on fight week were blown when, distracted by his ridiculous hair extensions, and hampered by his hand, Malignaggi failed to get into any rhythm against underrated Lovemore N'dou. The haircut in the middle of the fight was another of those dramas that only boxing can dish up! Malignaggi did grind out the victory although some felt he was fortunate to get the nod.
Still, there is something very likeable and appealing about Malignaggi, and it will be quite some build-up to their Stateside showdown. Malignaggi kept his IBF crown and that's what mattered.
Quite how Andrew Facey managed to keep his English belt was a complete mystery to all at ringside bar referee Phil Edwards. In a really drab affair, Facey seemed to have been widely outpointed by the maverick under-achiever Thomas McDonagh. Bizarre decision, but an equally forgettable fight.
One daylight battle that was far from dull was the cracking little Super-Bantamweight match between Danny Wallace and Mark Moran. There was competitive action throughout with both having the advantage at different stages, but it was Moran, who picked himself up after a really hurtful body shot, who found the reserves and notched up his finest win. The former Commonwealth bronze medallist was successful again - back in Manchester 6 years on.
The cross-Manchester derby between Craig Watson and Matthew Hatton produced the performance of the evening. Most felt Hatton, with the extra size and experience was the favourite going in, but he never got going, as Watson controlled the 12 rounds from his slick southpaw stance. Joe Pennington had trained Watson hard for this one, and he put on his best display yet to ruin a double Hatton celebration.
Tartan
Friday Fight Night this week sees another 50/50 type clash and an all-Tartan affair. This one has had the trade divided for a few weeks now. Greenock's hardened John Simpson defends his British Featherweight title against South Queensferry's bright talent Paul Appleby at the historic Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.
Many hold Simpson in high regard for the way he has gone about his career; he's never been afraid to travel and take the challenges; he has been robbed; he has comeback, and he has ultimately prevailed - with a double win over talented Andy Morris. If he wins on Friday, Simpson has the Lonsdale belt for keeps, and that's little more than he deserves.
The trouble is this could be his hardest defence, against the skilful, quick power-puncher Paul Appleby. We have been mightily impressed with young Appleby who has looked sparkling in picking up 11 straight wins.
But at just 20, Appleby's the youngest Scotsman ever to contest a British title. Has it come too soon? Once or twice Appleby gets drawn in, and he'll need to use his slick boxing to frustrate and out-speed Simpson in the early rounds. Will he have enough in the tank? Will his lack of experience prove costly?
His promoter Tommy Gilmour is not even sure. It is one of those fights that will tell us so much, but that is so hard to predict. Tentatively I go with Simpson just to be too rounded at this stage for Appleby, but it is a real pick-em.
Finally, good luck to Gary Lockett who takes on the excellent World Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik on Saturday night. Few outside his tight-knit camp give him a prayer. I too think it will be very very hard for Gary, but, having waited and waited, he most certainly deserves his shot.
Ultimately I think it has come too late - and against a man at his peak. Lockett does have some fire-power but if he doesn't land early, I can't see anything other than a convincing win for Pavlik.
Kelly Pavlik's been THE fighter of the past 12 months - and class should tell this weekend.
