Hat’s off to Hatton
Nothing but praise for the “Manchester Mexican” at tonight’s post-fight presser

Report and photos by Chris Cozzone

A hard-fought war and candidate for ‘Fight of the Year,” it was not.

A flawless execution, and testimony that Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton has a legit claim, or, at the least, represents the biggest threat, to boxing’s pound-for-pound crown, most believed to be held by Floyd Mayweather, Jr., cannot be argued.

At tonight’s post-fight press conference, held earlier than expected when Hatton, 43-0, 31 KOs, took out Jose Luis Castillo, 55-8-1, 47 KOs, with a devastating body shot at 2:16 of the fourth, there were no words of dispute . . . and no excuses.

Just praise.

Promoters Artie Pellulo of Banner Promotions, and Dennis Hobson, described their fighter as, respectively, “smashing,” and “now a mega-star.”

Soccer star Wayne Rooney, who carried Hatton’s belts into the ring tonight, called Hatton’s performance “brilliant.”

Oscar De La Hoya called up the winner in his dressing room after the fight to heap praise upon the invading Brit, telling him, according to Hatton, that “it was a fantastic win.”

Top Rank boss Bob Arum, promoter of Hatton’s vanquished foe, called the knockout shot a perfect execution he’s seen but four or five times in 42 years of boxing.

And Castillo?

“I’ve never been caught that way,” he told the media.

“He got me really good. After I got like that, there was no case of me getting up. It would’ve been worse for me.”

There was no lack of candor in the conference room.

“After two mediocre performances, in my last two fights,” said Hatton, “I think I showed the Ricky Hatton I know. The old Ricky Hatton. I showed my level tonight.

“Jose Luis Castillo is a wonderful fighter, a god to me for many years. But I think the manner in which I fought tonight, sets the stage for big names and good matches.”

As for who’s next?

Hatton said he was unsure, but, of course, mentioned Mayweather—nothing but “bigger fights … big name fights.”

“But first, tonight, I have a few battles with Mr. Guinness.”

As for Castillo, promoter Arum said nothing “hasty would be decided tonight.”

“After a defeat like this, it’s best to regroup,” he said.

Castillo, too, was vague about his future plans.

“I’m very, very sad,” he told the media. “I’m disappointed with the way I lost tonight. I apologize to all the people out there that I’ve let down. 

“He is a great fighter and he got me in the liver with a great body shot. I couldn’t continue.”

As for a possible Mayweather-Hatton showdown in the future, Castillo called it a “very interesting fight between two very different fighters—a cat and mouse game.”