Ricky Hatton Gets Back on the Winning Track

In the main event of an entertaining mid-day Saturday pair of junior welterweight bouts Ricky Hatton outlasted Juan Lazcano by a wide margin.

55,000 screaming Mancunians poured into Eastlands, the home stadium of Manchester City FC, to see their favorite son outperform and out-brawl Lazcano. Hatton was hurt twice by Lazcano — in the 8th and in the 10th — but his near-constant pressure and successful stream of body punches and left hooks proved too much for the American.

The rugged fight was characterized by frequent close-quarter brawling and excellent action. The decidedly pro-American Versus network announcing team seemed eager to label the fight as a disappointing Hatton performance, a low energy and un-sharp effort, and a sign of his imminent decline. They accused Hatton of unduly influencing the referee and thought the judges (except the American) were out of line in their scorecards. (The American had it 118-110, the Briton scored it 120-110, and the Australian gave Hatton a 120-108 shut out.)

I saw it 119-109 giving Lazcano only the 10th. I thought Hatton looked excellent but not dominating against a very skilled opponent. Sure, Ricky’s face found its way into a lot of good punches but that was to be expected. I thought his work rate was terrific especially in the frigid 52-degree Manchester night air. I don’t think there was much decline or an indication of any diminished skills. Hatton is still the best 140-pound fighter in the world, one of boxing’s best draws, and still a good old-fashioned fun-to-watch scrapper.

Photo Source: Newscom.com