Mayweather Floors Hatton
10th December, 2007
Floyd Mayweather produced a vintage display to unexpectedly put Ricky Hatton on the canvas, scoring a technical knockout in the 10th round.
Despite providing much of the early pressure and nearly knocking Mayweather down, the American showed his class, dominating the middle round and finishing Hatton with a clean left hook in the tenth round.
After being the earlier aggressor and tiring himself, Hatton became an easier target the longer the fight wore on. In the battle of the jabs, Mayweather was king, landing 40% to the Englishman's 17%.
The judges' scores at the time of the stoppage were: 88-82, 89-81, 89-81.
Mayweather was admirable and gracious in victory, immediately checking up on the downed Hatton. He said after the fight: "He kept coming and I see why they call him the Hitman. He's one hell of a fighter but I took care of business and did the job, I wanted to show the fans that I still got it. I have nothing else to prove to the world."
Hatton, who lost his undefeated record, suggested that he would continue to box despite the pain of defeat: "I'm the best at light-welter and I fought the best at welter. I'd rather give praise to my opponent. My pride is hurt more than the punches."
