HATTON BREAKS DOWN MALIGNAGGI
By Lloyd Dyer (Webmaster, Sweetfightingman.com)

On the night of 22nd November 2008, British boxing superstar Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton defeated now former IBF Junior Welterweight champion Paulie Malanaggi by 11^th round stoppage at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hatton came out traditionally aggressive in round one, but Malanaggi came out the more effective. He landed his sharp jab regularly, catching the Mancunian coming in. Hatton had his moments in the round, which included a right uppercut and left hook upstairs. Malanaggi narrowly won the round however resulting in some bruising over Hatton’s left eye.

Hatton came out in round two trying to cut off the ring, as his opponent’s lateral movement appeared to give him problems. Hatton started to land to the body, and as Malanaggi dropped his hands repeatedly, Ricky took full advantage. He hurt Paulie towards the end of the round with a big right hand, and followed up with some left hook barrages. This was Hatton’s round.

Buddy McGirt told Malanaggi in between rounds to get back to the jab. In the third however it was Hatton pressing forward with an authoritative jab. Malanaggi was holding more and more, missing with the majority of his own shots. Hatton landed more body punches on the inside and caught Malanaggi with a huge left hook towards the end of the round which hurt him again.

Hatton’s assault continued in the fourth, although Malanaggi was landing his jab to head and body with more regularity. Hatton constantly mauled Paulie up close, who Malanaggi constantly held when Hatton got on the inside.

In the fifth Malanaggi began to work out the more predictable Hatton, and caught Ricky coming in with sharp jabs. The action got untidy again as they held, and Hatton’s timing seemed slightly disjointed. Paulie won the round with the cleaner boxing. Hatton boxed better in the sixth as he upset Malanaggi’s rhythm, leaping in with left-hooks and jabs more clearly winning him the round. This pressure continued in the seventh as Hatton steam-rolled forward with his jab, beating his opponent to the punch.

Malanaggi showed better combinations in the eighth as Ricky began to look tired. Hatton still won the round with his pressure though, and rocked Malanaggi with a jab towards the end. In the ninth Ricky shortened up his punches, and again dominated the round with some big left hooks and right uppercuts forcing Malinaggi to hold.

The tenth was closer as Malanaggi caught Hatton on the way in again with his jab. Hatton landed his left hook on the inside though and edges the round with his sustained pressure. The eleventh appeared equally as one-sided, as Hatton landed more and more punches to the body which clearly staggered Malanaggi, who was grabbing and not throwing back by this time. Buddy McGirt from Malanaggi’s corner resorts to throwing in the towel twenty-eight seconds into the round.

Ricky became the first to stop Malanaggi, who complained about the stoppage and moved to 46-1 in retaining his IBO and prestigious Ring Magazine Light-Welterweight title.

After the fight in a modest tone he said: “I think with Paulie, whoever he fights he would give them massive problems. He’s a good fighter and is a lot tougher than he looks”. When asked about a fight with the winner of De La Hoya-Pacquiao Ricky said: “I’d definitely like to do it. Nobody will ever beat me at Junior Welterweight, I truly believe that, but what sort of champion would I be if I stayed in my [best] weight class? Bring it on!”