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Hatton claims unification bout glory

27/11/2005

Ricky Hatton defied cuts above both eyes to add the WBA title to his IBF light-welterweight crown with a ninth-round knockout of Carlos Maussa in Sheffield last night.

The Manchester-born fighter was, overall, the better fighter on the night and ended the bout 70 seconds into the ninth with a straight right followed by a left hook which left the Colombian reeling.

Hatton can now look forward to the possibility of bouts with two of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today in WBC holder Floyd Mayweather and WBO champion Miguel Couto.

The fight began in the worst possible sense for Hatton as Maussa’s head clashed with Hatton’s and a big cut opened up above Hatton’s left eye.

The cut was repaired by his corner and Hatton was left to slug it out for the next few rounds as Maussa had the better of the first three rounds.

Another clash of heads brought another cut to Hatton’s head, this time above his right eye, but from then on the Hitman began to turn the fight in his favour.

A couple of lefts connected well with the Colombian before a right followed by a left hook in the sixth shook the former WBA champion and he did well to remain on his feet.

Maussa was clearly up against it and it was over in the ninth as Hatton forced the fighter back towards his own corner before landing a straight right and a left hook which put his opponent on the deck.

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