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Hatton steamrolls Malignaggi!
Not even close: The Hitman takes out the 'Magic Man' in 11; Kirkland slugs it out with Vera
Ringside report by Andreas Hale & Victor Perea
Photography by Chris Cozzone
- FightWireImages.com
Nearly a year ago to the day, Ricky Hatton left the MGM Grand Garden a loser. Amidst a chorus of “Hatton Wonderland” chants, Floyd Mayweather Jr pummeled The Hitman in stellar fashion. Upon returning to the same site where he suffered his first crushing defeat, Ricky Hatton rebounded as he defended his world junior welterweight title and steamrolled Paulie Malignaggi in a matchup of the 140-pound division’s top fighters.
 Both Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi’s futures in the sport of boxing were in doubt after crushing losses to Mayweather Jr and Miguel Cotto respectively. Entering Saturday’s Junior Welterweight matchup, both fighters had a lot to prove but only one would continue on the road for redemption. Ricky Hatton would be that man as he bruised and battered Malignaggi as The Magic Man’s corner could watch no more and waved the white flag leading to an impressive 11th round TKO.
Although his star quality had dimmed a bit since losing to Mayweather at this very arena nearly a year ago, those who did cross the pond to support him were freakishly loud and undeniably happy with Hatton’s performance.
The crowd was not nearly as immense as it was the last time Hatton fought at the MGM Grand Garden but the result was certainly better for the raucous 9,053 in attendance. Although he lost to Mayweather and was rather unimpressive in his victory over Juan Lazcano in May, Hatton hasn’t changed much at all – unless you count the Billy Graham-Floyd Mayweather Sr trainer swap.
 Hatton – who improves to 45-1 with his 32nd KO - was up to his usual antics as he entered the ring wearing a fat suit to poke fun at his often talked about weight. The crowd still sings “Hatton Wonderland” to nausea and The Hitman still swarms his opponents with a barrage of punches. The same can be said about Malignaggi after the brutal beating handed to him by Miguel Cotto. He is still a brash fighter whose mouth has more pop than his fists. He still possesses magnificent speed and he still has an often unpleasing fight style that seemingly gets the job done. Both had something to prove. For Hatton however, his desire to remain at the top of his game was too overwhelming for Malignaggi on this night.
In the first round, Malignaggi – who falls to 25-2, 5 KOs - attempted to control the fight with his jab as it appeared that Hatton had become a bit subdued under the tutelage of Mayweather Sr. But before you can say “There’s Only One Ricky Hatton,” The Hitman emerged from his corner in round two in vintage form and chased Malignaggi with a stiff jab and ruthless aggression.
Although some things in Hatton remained the same, there were some subtle differences this time around that made a world of difference.
 Hatton – under the watchful eye of Mayweather Sr’s seven weeks of crash course training – moved his head and jammed Malignaggi repeatedly with a stiff jab. The head movement made him a much more difficult opponent to stick as Malignaggi only managed to land 91 punches in eleven rounds. The Brit’s jab set up some thudding power punches that rattled his opponent continuously.
The power punching was clearly the difference in this fight as Hatton nearly dropped Malignaggi in the 2nd with a wicked right cross followed by a barrage of punches that chopped The Magic Man down and had him clinging to Hatton for dear life. Holding is something that Malignaggi did often as he spent most of his time hugging the Brit rather than fighting him. Although Hatton appeared annoyed with the constant grabbing, he remained undeterred and continued to blitz his opponent when he could and left The Magic Man spellbound. Several hard left hooks tore into Malignaggi’s face in the sixth and a searing uppercut snapped his head back in the eighth.
By the time the 11th round rolled around, trainer Buddy McGirt was barking at the Brooklynite to throw more punches and stop standing in front of Hatton. Those orders fell on deaf ears as the pounding continued as McGirt to climb the apron and threw in the towel, forcing referee Kenny Bayless to bring the fight to a halt at :28 in round 11. The decision to stop the fight was a smart one as Malignaggi was down 99-91 on all three scorecards and simply does not possess the punching power to change the fight with a single shot.
 The hugely pro-Hatton crowd erupted in celebration as Malignaggi could be seen pacing the ring frustrated with the decision to wave the white flag and put a knock out blemish on his record.
Buddy McGirt had his reasons, no matter how unpopular they may seem.
"The reason I stopped the fight was because my guy was losing and I wanted him to live to fight another day," McGirt responded when asked about calling it quits. "I didn't want him to get seriously injured. It only takes one shot. I would rather have him be mad at me for stopping the fight than let him get hurt and never fight again."
"Ricky fought a terrific fight. He's a terrific fighter but this goes as a knockout on my record, but it shouldn't be. I was worse off in the Miguel Cotto fight [my other loss] and they didn't stop it then; why should they stop it now?" Malignaggi said in disgust after the fight.
For Hatton, the result couldn’t be more pleasing.
"I enjoyed this fight a lot more than the last time I was here," Hatton jested after the fight.
 "Paulie is a great fighter, but this felt like a comeback,” Hatton said. “I think you can see all the new things I worked on in camp. I slowed down. I was more composed and used my left jab. I was picking shots off better. I left my chin out to dry a few times, but I was picking shots off better, using my jab better, moving my head a little bit more. It can still get better."
The future may be cloudy for Malignaggi, but rest assured we will see him again. As for Hatton, he’s not trying to wait to fight boxing’s elite. He wants them right now.
The victory paves the way to a possible showdown with the winner of the upcoming Manny Pacquiao Vs Oscar De La Hoya bout. Both fights are intriguing for a number of reasons and Hatton is never one to back down from a challenge.
"Bring it on. I'd definitely like to do it," Hatton said regarding a probable move in weight class to fight De La Hoya. No one will beat me at junior welterweight, I really believe that. But what sort of champion would I be if I just stayed at my normal weight?
"I only have a couple of more years left. I want big fights," he said.
Judging by Saturday night’s performance, big fights are clearly on the horizon.
 Kirkland stops Vera in absolute slugfest
The televised co-feature bout of the evening featured two heavy-handed boxers in a scheduled 10-round middleweight contest. With a combined 31 knockouts in 40 fights between the two of them, Fort Worth’s Brian Vera took on favored fellow Texan James Kirkland of Austin.
A stiff right jab from Kirkland started the action. Monster hooks followed from the favored Kirkland who from the get go boxed very workmanlike with astonishing power behind even the slightest punch he threw. Kirkland controlled the action and pushed Vera around the ring early on. Although throwing back heavy counters of his own, Vera was definitely being controlled from the beginning. Kirkland started in one gear and one direction, tearing forward and never backing up, rarely touching the breaks. Kirkland threw everything with intent to cause substantial bodily harm, jab, uppercut double hook as Vera ate a slew of widow-makers.
The second round began with a straight left to the chest that threw Vera off balance. A Kirkland right hand-left uppercut floored Vera seconds later. Vera simply smiled and got up to beat the count and went straight at Kirkland with ill regard immediately after. Two straight rights landed for Vera, then a third to the crowd’s amazement. Vera apparently figured it was best to go out swinging as Kirkland continued to tag him while he held his hands low and swung back. Smiling and throwing heavily Vera continued to swing for the fences and somehow landed his straight right more often than Kirkland’s corner would have liked.
 Even though Kirkland was dominating the action it was the occasional sloppy straight right from Vera that got a rise from the very British crowd. Vera continued to throw wildly, and landed another straight right haymaker. Kirkland tagged Vera with a right hand as he turned, and Vera appeared to trip on his own feet, stumbling facing the ropes. Referee Vic Drakulich ruled it a knockdown as Vera laughed it off and came out swinging after the count.
Three left hooks and a straight right hand landed flush for Kirkland. For reasons unknown, Vera refused to clinch and continued to fight fire with fire. Vera landed yet another straight right bomb however Kirkland was still very much in control. Vera continued to take more punishment, refusing to drop, and in fact kept smiling.
Kirkland came out eager to stop playing games in the fourth. The two traded and a still smiling Vera continued throwing loopy bombs, tagging the composed Kirkland with yet another right hand. Vera managed to land a few hard straight right hands but in order to do so continued to eat 3-4 and 5 punch combinations from Kirkland. Even with the disproportion in on target blows the crowd got a bigger rise from the few and far between Vera haymakers than the often and solid punches from Kirkland. As the bell rung to end the fourth Kirkland continued throwing and the crowd showered him with disapproval.
 Kirkland came out with out on a rampage in the fifth wanting to finish the fight. Although pitching a shutout on the scorecards and having already scored two knockdowns, his opponent was still standing and still swinging; at the very least giving him a puncher’s chance.
A barrage, everything landed for Kirkland, right-left-right hook, double left-uppercut, and a jab a flurry and Vera took it. Vera kept coming. Apparently the defense had stayed at home for both fighters. Left hook to the body right hook upstairs landed for Kirkland the beating went on.
The battering continued with an occasional haymaker landing from Vera, just enough to keep it interesting.
In the eighth Kirkland finally managed to earn another knockdown. Vera at this point had endured quite a beating and still kept coming forward, not wanting to quit. After the count Kirkland backed him into the corner where after only a couple grazing shots Drakulich stepped in and saved Vera who was too game for his own good at 1:45 of the 8th.
Kirkland lead Vera by the score of 70-61 on all three of the judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage, and although he dominated, the rising star took far too many wild shots to leave his corner happy.
“It was a great fight. I got hit a bunch but I really enjoyed the fight,” said Kirkland (24-0, 21 Kos) post fight.
“I hope to do bigger and better things with HBO and Golden Boy in the near future.”
Although he most definitely put on a show for the fans, Vera (16-2, 10Kos) damaged his own goods eating 188 power punches and 95 jabs for good measure throughout the eight rounds, while managing to land only 64 punches of his own according to CompuBox. – Victor Perea
 Ruiz upsets hot shot “Boom Boom” Bautista
In an eight round junior featherweight attraction former title challenger and veteran of 27 fights 22-year old Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista continued his journey back towards another title shot after his sole loss at the hands of Daniel Ponce de Leon in 2007. In front of a sparse crowd inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Bautista made his first stateside appearance since his KO loss, this after picking up three victories in the Philippines.
His US homecoming party was hosted by the tough Heriberto Ruiz of Los Mochis, Mexico. Ruiz, who owns losses to Rafael Marquez, Irene Pacheco, and most recently Eric Morel, has faced no less than stiff competition throughout his 48 professional bouts.
A straight right hand midway through first landed for the ‘Boom Boom” as Ruiz’ primary focus was working the body of his 9 year younger opponent. While Ruiz continued to slowly dig at Bautista with hooks to the body, “Boom Boom” cautiously ripped in and out of the pocket as Ruiz won the uneventful opening round.
 After an accidental clash of heads early in the second referee Robert Byrd stopped the bout to check both fighters for cuts, only seconds later Byrd separated them again and advised them both to watch their heads; something that would happen countless times during the bout. The two traded and “Boom Boom” landed a stiff left hook-straight right combo. Ruiz continued to work the body and for the third time in the round a clash of heads prompted counsel from Byrd. They continued to exchange and Bautista clearly slipped to the floor during the trade, Byrd rightfully ruled it a slip as the round ended.
Entering what would be a crucial round for the pinoy, Bautista landed a right hand to the body, Ruiz countered with a left upstairs and again they clashed. This time blood was spilled by Bautista who earned a gash on the outskirts of his right eye. After a stiff left jab landed twice for Bautista, they clashed heads again and Byrd had a ringside physician look at the cut. After Bautista was cleared to continue Ruiz dug to the body and the two exchanged a flurry. Ruiz got the better of the young slugger and dropped him with a left hook to the chops; Bautista would recover from the flash knockdown.
Entering the fourth another clash of heads cued yet another warning from Byrd to the two fighters. There was now a definite sense of urgency from Bautista, as the blood continued to pour constantly from his right eye. No longer looking for body work, Ruiz instead began to tag “Boom Boom” with hooks upstairs. Ruiz looked to worsen the cut on the right eye of his opponent by throwing a constant barrage of left hooks aimed at the bloody gash. Another flurry from Ruiz had Bautista eating a three punch combo that made matters worse just before the end of the fourth.
 As Bautista continued to come forward and lower his head naturally not purposely, Ruiz called out the clash of heads. Ruiz still moved cautiously at this point, fighting as the aggressor but with respect for Bautista’s power.
Bautista dug into Ruiz with a hard left hook to the body, Ruiz felt it and claimed a low blow when it was clearly not. Bautista powered Ruiz onto the ropes and began to tag him both up and downstairs, in what was the best round for an almost frantic Bautista.
Bautista entered the sixth bloody as could be deep into one of the biggest test of his career. They traded and Bautista tagged Ruiz with left hook upstairs. Bautista was warned for digging to the body a little too low and they continued to exchange. Again Byrd cautioned both fighters to watch their heads as Bautista now sported two nasty knots on his forehead and Ruiz a single over his brows clearly from the constant clashing of heads.
Straight right, stiff left landed for “Boom Boom” to begin the 7th round. Three hooks to the body followed from the pinoy. Ruiz appeared to have slowed as Bautista was clearly hungry and in need of a knockdown. After landing a right hook to the body lower than he anticipated Bautista was deducted a point by Byrd putting him in a do or die situation.
 Nothing would do but a knockout for the number 1 contender now heading towards the end of the bout. Shortly after the point deduction Ruiz returned the favor and Byrd broke them and warned Ruiz. Just after the restart and Byrd again separated the two and cautioned the head clashing.
Ruiz, knowing full well all he needed to do in order to win was avoid a shot in the dark, hesitated when Byrd called for the two to break eating up the clock. ‘Boom Boom” bloody, beaten but still swinging, punched his way to the end of a very unfavorable night for the young slugger.
A lopsided unanimous decision awaited Ruiz at the end of the announcers’ dialogue. 77-73, 78-72 and 80-70 all in favor for the winner, the older dog in this fight, Heriberto Ruiz (40-7-2, 23Ko). With the very disappointing night for the young Filipino star, Bautista (26-2, 19Ko) lost for only the second time in his still promising career. However “Boom Boom” must go back to the end of the line if he wants another shot at a world championship belt. –Victor Perea
 Hatton upsets Tackie
Matthew Hatton warmed up the crowd for his brother as he dispatched of former champion Ben Tackie via unanimous decision in an impressive ten-round fight between welterweights.
Just as Ricky had done several years ago, Matthew duplicated the feat as he simply outboxed and outworked the game Tackie for ten rounds. Hatton’s style – which was once stiff – has become more crowd pleasing over the past few fights. Although Tackie (29-11-1, 17 KOs) had lost his previous four fights, he looked to play spoiler for the Hatton fans and tried to make a fight of it. However, Hatton would not be denied in front of this largely pro-Hatton contingency.
Hatton (35-4-1, 13 KOs) put together impressive combinations early and often against Tackie as he valiantly tried to push the action. Hatton was having none of it and continuously beat Tackie to the punch time and time again. By the time the final bell sounded, Hatton had proven his worth to Tackie and the fans in attendance with scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 98-92. — Andreas Hale
 Singwancha defeats Castaneda
In eight-round welterweight action, Sirimongkol Singwancha defeated Rogelio Castaneda via majority decision.
Singwancha – 60-2, 34 KOs – constantly fed Castaneda a healthy dosage of counter punches as he gave back more than her receive in terms of punches. Castaneda – 24-15-8, 8 KOs - seemed content with tossing one punch at a time at Singwancha and would occasionally fling a jab to disrupt his rhythm.
Nonetheless, Singwancha slugged his way through the fight and claimed victory. — Andreas Hale
 Garcia goes distance with Hernandez
In a battle of welterweights, rising prospect Danny Oscar Garcia kept his unblemished record intact as he defeated Adan Hernandez via unanimous decision on Saturday night.
After a first round of feeling one another out, Garcia (9-0, 7 KOs) put his foot on the gas in the second as an uppercut followed by a right hand floored Hernandez. Hernandez (14-6, 5 KOs) would rise but the clinic would continue as Garcia got a few rounds of boxing in during this easy decision.— Andreas Hale
Adrian Gonzalez wins pro debut
Making his professional debut, Adrian Gonzalez fighting out of Las Vegas, took on Jose Pacheco of Mexico in a four-round junior featherweight contest. Pacheco came out with the tough guy attitude at the touching of gloves, looking to pull a “Drago” and instill fear in his opponent with a simple tapping of the mittens. Unimpressed was Adrian Gonzalez who wore the much more confident apparel with glitter on his trunks and a gleam in his eye as his family watched ringside.
Pacheco came out looking to pick a fight and the taller, younger and wiser Gonzalez used a substantial reach advantage to keep Pacheco at bay. Pacheco continued to charge forward looking for a brawl but again Gonzalez had none of it and stiffed him thoroughly with a stiff jab straight left that had Pacheco on the losing end of a unanimous decision.
With the loss Pacheco (0-3-5) stays winless but full of heart, while Gonzalez (1-0) used a wise game plan to box his way to a victory while enjoying his welcome to the sport. – Victor Perea
 Young and raw Broner shoots down Jett
In a scheduled six-round lightweight contest Cincinnati’s 19 year-old Adrien Broner took on Las Vegas local Terrance Jett. From the get-go it was apparent that Broner, whose first three professional bouts ended by KO in his favor, was looking to continue the trend. Immediately Broner came out throwing with bad intentions and it was clear that he was overpowering the taller Jett.
The stout Broner managed to hit pay dirt midway through the first leaving Jett stumbling onto the canvas after a flurry. After beating the count referee Robert Byrd warned Broner for holding and hitting, the first of several warnings to the promising young yet ragged powerhouse. Although at a clear reach disadvantage Broner managed to land a long straight right that dropped Jett for a second time with just seconds left in the first round. After making it back to his corner it did not appear that Jett would be around much longer.
The second round started much like the first with Jett, 14 years older than his opponent, doing his best to stick around. For some unknown reason the eager Broner allowed him to do so easing off the gas over the next few rounds while Jett only scored points on the morale card.
Either his corner had asked him to get in some rounds or maybe he was really was having trouble finishing the very out powered Jett, but Broner mercifully allowed his opponent make it to the sixth and final round without another trip to the canvas.
After several more warnings for holding and hitting Broner had very much played the part of the bully entering the final stanza. Once they did arrive at the final round Broner finally found his range again and absolutely battered Jett against the ropes. After several haymakers tagged Jett, Byrd waived off the contest at: 33 of the sixth.
After the victory Adrien Broner (4-0, 4Ko) delighted the crowd with a standing back flip, entertaining but clearly the eager and young Broner has much to learn in his young career but could prove to be a promising up and comer should he smooth those edges. With the loss Jett (4-12-2, 2Ko) has now lost five of his last six bouts dating back to 2007. –Victor Perea
Williams too much for Flores
The opening bout of the evening featured Carson, California’s Ramon Flores looking to improve to .500 against the young and undefeated Hylon Williams of Houston.
The lightweight contest was scheduled for four rounds and proved to be a phone booth battle, although it was Williams who did the calling and Flores who couldn’t answer. After leaving Flores weak-kneed from a stiff right hand midway through the first round, Williams using his apparent reach advantage, teed off on his outclassed opponent. Although on the losing end of a bad day Flores refused to back up, cover up or stop swinging, something the few in attendance for this 2:45pm PST appreciated.
After somehow surviving the first, Flores managed to amaze the few fans who made it to the MGM Grand Garden Arena early on this Saturday afternoon and endured a shellacking throughout the remaining three rounds.
After the final bell rang all three scores read 40-36 for Williams, Fightnews scored the bout 40-35, giving the fourth to Williams via 10-8. With the victory the 18 year-old Williams (6-0, 1Ko) stays unbeaten while the very game Flores (2-4, 1Ko) may be glad to provide the role of future journeyman, rather than find a new line of work in these hard economic times. –Victor Perea
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