By Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Congratulations to Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi - Hatton dominated his fight with Malignaggi from the first round and was a well ahead on points before the 11-round stoppage - Ricky Hatton coasted to a one-sided win over Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Malignaggi had occasional success with his jab but fought virtually one-handed for much of the fight and lacked power.Manchester's Hatton had Malignaggi in trouble with some savage left hooks, and overhand rights.Going into the 11th, Malignaggi was behind on all three scorecards, causing his corner to throw in the towel. Hatton joined up with new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr just seven weeks ago, but there were signs of real improvement following some worrying recent performances, as Hatton promised there would be.
Hatton, 30, improves to 45 wins (32 KOs) and one defeat, while Malignaggi falls to 25 wins (five KOs) and two defeats.
Hatton, wearing a fat suit, was accompanied to the ring by Oasis' Gallagher brothers, who were charged with carrying their fellow Manchester City fan's belts. - Hatton suffered his only defeat as a professional at the same venue last December, when he was stopped in 10 rounds by Floyd Mayweather Jr,making his victory doubly sweet.
No-one will ever beat me at junior-welterweight, no-one. But what sort of a champion would I be if I didn't take them (De la Hoya and Pacquiao) on next?
Ricky Hatton
Hatton told BBC Sport afterwards that Mayweather Jr, the son of his trainer Floyd Sr, has come out of retirement, raising the possibility of a rematch some time next year. The impressive nature of his win has also raised the possibility of a match with the winner of Oscar de la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on 6 December.
"I've had 46 fights now and only lost one - and he was the best pound for pound in the world," he said. "No-one will ever beat me at junior-welterweight, no-one. But what sort of a champion would I be if I didn't take them (De la Hoya and Pacquiao) on next? That's what Ricky Hatton is all about.
"Hatton's win completes a British hat-trick over American fighters, following Joe Calzaghe's win over Roy Jones Jr in New York a fortnight ago and David Haye's defeat of Monte Barrett in London last week.
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Fans may call it “Manchester Muscle vs. New York Flash,” “England vs. The United States,” or “Brawler vs. Boxer.” Regardless of how it is described, the Junior Welterweight World Championship unification bout between England’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and New York’s Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will be a clash between the two best 140-pound fighters in the world and one of the most intriguing and exciting fights of 2008.
“I am looking forward to returning to America, fighting again at the MGM Grand and challenging Maglignaggi for his title,” said Hatton. “Las Vegas is like a second home to me. The fans treat me like gold and I promise them another exciting value for money fight.”
Malignaggi said, “I am thrilled to be involved in the biggest 140 pound fight of ’08. This will be my first fight in Las Vegas, which makes it all the more exciting. Las Vegas’ nickname is the “City of Lights”, so it is only fitting that on November 22, 2008 “The Magic Man” will be lighting “The Hitman” up all over the MGM Grand Garden Arena.”