Many were looking forward to the Ricky Hatton vs Paulie Malignaggi fight. However, wile the predominant feeling among fans was excitement and anticipation, some of Hatton's fans were a bit apprehensive about the Las Vegas boxing fight. It was the venue of Ricky Hatton's only defeat, the only loss on his almost impeccable fight record, and many of his fans (this one included) feared that history might repeat itself by dealing the British hitman with another disappointing finish. But Ricky Hatton clearly had other plans. Nothing in what he displayed today showed gave any indication about how that previous loss affects him. Now, armed with a new trainer in the person of Floyd Mayweather Sr., the father of his conqueror, he looked like he wouldn't settle for anything less than a win.

From the get-go, Ricky Hatton looked like he meant business. His punches were solid, echoing in confidence that similarly reflected in his stance. He used his jabs to work his way in, where he was clearly the stronger fighter and would repeatedly hit Paulie Malignaggi with clean right punches. His stamina was amazing as well, as pointed out by local sportscaster Diane Castillejo. Up to the end of the fight, he showed very little signs of fatigue, strutting actively in the ring with confidence. Malignaggi, on the other hand, was the opposite. After almost being floored in the second round, he started hanging on at every chance he got in an effort to slow down Ricky Hatton's onslaught. From that point on, I knew it was only a matter of time before 'The Hitman' wins, barring any freak reversal, of course.

Paulie Malignaggi's jabs were effective whenever he used them. The only problem is he didn't use them enough. Ricky Hatton, on the other hand, took advantage of this by walking through his rivals defenses and landing his power punches. He was also a little bit more patient this time, picking his shots and moving his head a bit more - a much composed fighter than the one I saw defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year.

After 28 seconds in the 11th round, the fight was stopped in favor of Ricky Hatton after Malignaggi's trainer, Buddy McGirt, walked into the ring to further prevent serious damage to his ward. Malignaggi clearly had no weapons to stop Ricky Hatton this time and his trainer had to step in. It was a TKO for Hatton, greeted by loud cheers from the British contingent at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, followed by that familiar chants we often hear in football games. Ricky Hatton has finally won in America! (Update 11/23: The attached Hatton-Malignaggi fight video highlights had to be removed because of copyright issues according to YouTube. I will try to find another one to post here. My apologies.)

Here's a short round by round recap of the Ricky Hatton vs Paulie Malignaggi fight courtesy of Steve Cofield of Yahoo Sports:

ROUNDS 1-3: 'The Hitman' hurt Malignaggi badly in the final minute of the second round. Malignaggi's right knee nearly hit the canvas as he was whacked by several more shots. Hatton's biggest shot of the third came with less than 20 seconds left with a left hook. There aren't a lot of punches being landed on either side (Hatton leading 31-26 landed) but the more damaging shots (27 power punches) are clearly from Hatton. Malignaggi looks weathered in the corner with a cut under his left eye. Hatton leads it 29-28 through three rounds.

ROUNDS 4-6: Malignaggi fought a lousy fourth round. For a guy who was complaining about Hatton's holding and dirty tactics, Malignaggi is doing way too much holding. The fifth round bogged down with a lot of clinching with both fighters combining to landed only 17 punches. Through five, Hatton has thrown 183 power punches and landed 95 while Malignaggi has only popped Hatton with 17 significant shots. Trainer Buddy McGirt yelled at Malignaggi telling him stop fighting at Hatton's pace. The sixth round is much cleaner with Malignaggi fighting from the outside. Paulie wins the round and eludes many more of Hatton's punches than in previous rounds. Hatton leads it 58-56 through six rounds.

ROUNDS 7-9: Hatton is pouring it on as Malignaggi is in complete defense mode. He lands three big left hands a minute into the seventh. And then shows some slickness in the final 30 seconds by slipping a Malignaggi left and coming over the top with a hard right. In the eighth, they exchange lefts with 1:45 left, Malignaggi is moved backward. The British fans are relaxed just like their fighter breaking into another "Hatton Wonderland" rendition at 1:10 left of the round. Malignaggi is getting puffy under both eyes. He turns up the level of holding in the ninth. HBO's Lennox Lewis suggests that there must be something seriously wrong with Malignaggi's right hand. Hatton lands power punches at an 18-1 clip in the ninth. Malignaggi's performance has Jim Lampley saying that it's amazing that "The Magic Man" without any power has gotten himself this sort of fight. Hatton leads it 88-83 through nine rounds.

ROUND 10-11: McGirt couldn't take it anymore. He warned Paulie to stop standing in front of Hatton and taking his shot. It was clear that Malignaggi had no way to hurt to Hatton and wasn't throwing with conviction to start the 11th round so the trainer climbed onto the ring apron with a Nevada State Athletic Commission member to throw in the towel at 28 seconds of the round. HATTON WINS BY TKO (Yahoo! Sports had Hatton leading 98-92 through 10)

Who's next for Ricky Hatton? There is growing speculation that a a Ricky Hatton vs Oscar De La Hoya fight is next on the cards. But that will all depend on the results of the Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya fight next month. If De La Hoya loses that one, then on to retirement he will probably go. But if he wins over Manny, Oscar may postpone retirement for another shot at glory (and more money) against Ricky Hatton.

Postcript: One amusing sidelight of this fight for me was the fashion sense of both fighters, and I think you know very well what I'm referring to. Their shorts were outrageous! Ricky Hatton's shimmering attire surprised me but I was not prepared for what Malignaggi was wearing. It was actually a skirt! He he. Is this a sign of where boxing fashions are headed? Hope not. (Photos courtesy of Yahoo Sports)

Update 11/24: I found the following Ricky Hatton vs Paul Malignaggi video highlights on YouTube.

Ricky Hatton vs Paul Malignaggi fight: Video Highlights

If you like this post, then please consider subscribing to my RSS feed. You can also subscribe by email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

Your Ad Here