“His Majesty Boxing” pleases millions of viewers around the world. And therefore it is not surprising that this tough sport has its own “stars”, a huge number of people are eager to see the battles. One of these fighters, who became an idol for many martial arts fans on the planet, at one time was Briton Ricky Hatton.
Birth
The future welterweight leader was born on October 6, 1978 in the English town of Stockport. His father, Ray Hatton, was a football player in the past. As a child, Ricky Hatton started kickboxing, but after he was pointed out the short length of his legs, he made the final decision to switch to classic boxing.
Boxing path in lovers
At the age of 18, Rikki wins the bronze medal of the world championship among juniors, having suffered only one defeat in the semifinal fight against Russian Timur Nergadze. And already in 1997, a young English talent became the champion of Great Britain in the welterweight first among amateurs. In 1999, Ricky Hatton, according to the British Association of Journalists, was awarded the title of best young boxer. And Frank Warren, who is an English promoter, generally called him "the best boxer to appear on the British Isles after the era of" Prince "Nasim Hamed."
Specialists know that strikes on the body adorn the box. Ricky Hatton, in turn, also adopted the blows to the body, actively using them during fights. And therefore, it is logical that the British’s idol was always the famous Panamanian Roberto Duran, for whom work on the corps was always a priority.
The beginning of a professional path
Ricky Hatton held his debut fight on September 11, 1997. It is noteworthy that his opponent could not stand even one round. And just three months later, the “Assassin” (which was exactly what Hutton had a nickname) boxed in the American Madison Square Garden and defeated Robert Alvarez in four rounds.
First title
In his thirteenth pro-ring fight, Ricky takes over Dillon Carew and becomes the WBO Welterweight Intercontinental World Champion. After which he holds 5 title defenses in September 2000 and takes over the WBA International title, defeating Giuseppe Lauri.
Weaknesses
Hatton, despite all his punching power and power, still had one extremely unpleasant tendency for a professional boxer - getting deep cuts. In the battle with Taxton, in which our hero was stronger, he was overtaken by an injury at the beginning of the fight. After the fight, Hatton had 28 sutures over his left eye, because there was a strong dissection.
Dominant champion
On March 26, 2001, Hatton defeated Canadian Pep and tried on the WBU welterweight championship belt. A year later, the bout of the Briton was first broadcast on the American channel Showtime. This was his third title defense against Mikhail Krivolapov.
First fall
In a fight with Eamon, Magee already in the first round, Ricky was on canvas, having run into the oncoming right side. And although in the end, Hatton won the decision of the judges, this fight still showed that he is not an impenetrable fighter.
I see a purpose, but I do not see obstacles!
A brilliant series of victories by the representative of "Foggy Albion" contributed to the fact that on October 1, 2004, Hatton became a full-fledged participant in the qualifying match for the right to fight with the IBF world champion in first welterweight, which at that time was owned by Russian Kostya Tszyu. Ricky's rival was American Michael Stewart. Already in the first round, Stuart was knocked down two times, and in the fifth round he lost a final knockout. As a result, on June 4, 2005, Hatton defeated Tszyu by technical knockout and took away his title.
Defeats of the legend
"Floyd Mayweather - Ricky Hatton." At the time of this championship fight (Mayweather held his first defense), both boxers had more than 80 double wins and not a single defeat. The fight as a whole took place under the dictation of the American, and already in the 10th round Ricky was first knocked down, and after his corner he was forced to throw a towel into the ring, signaling the surrender. Thus, Hatton received his first defeat.
"Manny Pacquiao - Ricky Hatton." It was this confrontation that led to the brutal knockout of the Briton. On May 2, 2009, in the last seconds of the second round, the Filipino, with a powerful left side, “puts out the light” in Hatton’s eyes and takes his IBO belt. By the way, it was after this fight that the Briton begins to drink heavily, use drugs and generally lead an unbridled lifestyle. However, after a while he still pulls himself together and returns to boxing. As a victim, he chooses the Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko. But, as time has shown, completely in vain. November 24, 2012 the result of the battle for the Briton was sad. Hatton was knocked out after a missed blow to the liver. The twenty thousandth arena of spectators in Manchester was disappointed, because the “victim” showed itself exclusively as a predator, which contributed to the early completion of their favorite’s career.
In conclusion, we note that Ricky Hatton, whose knockouts occurred due to his own fault, should be grateful to the Ukrainian opponent. Who knows how the British career would have developed further if he had won Senchenko. After all, most likely Ricky in his usual manner would go further on the way to the top, and probably broke his teeth on someone more serious. But, as you know, history does not like the subjunctive mood. And therefore we will pay tribute to this great English boxer, who always pleased the audience with his fights.