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Hatton hits the jackpot
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Ricky Hatton produced a flawless display of boxing as he stopped Paulie Malignaggi in the 11th round at the MGM Grand.
"The Hitman" dominated the one-sided contest to retain his IBO light-welterweight title and prove his doubters wrong under the lights of Las Vegas.
Malignaggi began fairly brightly and may have shaded the opening round as he used his quick jab to good effect on Hatton.
However, it soon went downhill for the American who was rocked by a ferocious right hook in the second round.
Hatton then dictated every following round with a vintage performance, using his strength and power to bully his opponent who offered minimal offense.
With Hatton heading for a comfortable points victory, Malignaggi's corner stopped the fight in the 11th round much to the dismay of the fighter, who could have continued but was throwing few punches.
Hatton admitted after the win that he could face Oscar De La Hoya in a super fight some time next year.
Thanks for following our coverage with Orange. Scroll down to see how the night unfolded and fee free to leave all your post-fight thoughts in our boxing blog.
You can also check out the best pictures from the fight by clicking here.
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Round 11
HATTON WINS! Malignaggi's corner have called it a day! They pull out their man who looks disgusted with his trainer McGirt. Maliganggi just wasn't throwing any punches. He would have probably survived the full 12 but his corner obviously felt there was no point. I'd say they were right. Maliganggi was so negative and out of his depth against a classy Hatton. "The Hitman"is announced as the winner and celebrates in the ring with Liam and Noel Gallagher. Now that's one party I'd like to be at!
Round 10
An uneventful and scrappy round as Malignaggi continues to hold. Paulie gets a cheeky jab in after the bell which is probably the best shot he's landed tonight. His trainer Buddy McGirt gives him a rollocking and warns him to throw punches or I'm throwing in the towel.
Round 9
This is vintage Hatton. He is cruising towards victory by outclassing his weak opponent who seems desperate to hear the final bell. "The Hitman" unleashes a devastating left hook to the head before Malignaggi goes into hiding. This is the best I've seen Hatton since Kostya Tszyu and he's probably only fighting at about 50%. It's a one-sided affair with only one man going to win it.
Round 8
Fantastic shot by Hatton as he launches another jab which has been his most effective weapon in this contest. "The Hitman" looks fresh and is keeping busy and aggressive on both the inside and outside. Once more, a negative round by Malignaggi who is in survival mode. The American may have edged the first but that's about it. He will need a stoppage to win. Right now, you've got more chance of seeing Sly Stallone pop out of his seat and jump into the ring.
Round 7
Malignaggi is caught by a straight jab to the face which almost rocks the American. Hatton keeps up the tempo as he jabs his way around his opponent who is out of his depth and holding on for dear life. Malignaggi is gasping for breath with Hatton over him like a rash. "The Hitman" is simply dominating.
Round 6
Hatton begins well and is finding the target more in this round. The Mancunian connects with a decent combo after a hook followed by a jab to his opponent. Hatton is giving nothing for Malignaggi to feed off. The American is simply offering nothing in attack. By no mean pretty, but very effective for "The Hitman" who still looks to be boxing at half-pace. Another round in the bank.
Round 5
Hatton is really starting to take control of this contest against the disjointed Malignaggi. His timing to the body isn't perfect due to the speed of his opponent but he's getting the job done. "The Hitman" is imposing his style but this one is lacking firworks because of the way Maliganggi is boxing. Hatton lands with another jab to the head and is probably 4-1 ahead.
Round 4
Malignaggi isn't offering much in offense and looks a little shell-shocked with the strength and power of "The Hitman". Hatton lands solid jab midway through the round before going to work on the inside. Paulie is boxing negatively and right now, it's hard to see him inflicting any damage. Quite a messy round but it will go to Hatton. You would think that this fight is in Manchester with the volume of support for the Brit.
Round 3
Hatton is defending well and Malignaggi is being forcing into plenty of holding with his jab now less successful. Not much action in this round but with 15 seconds remaining, Hatton connects with a left hook to the head. That will be another round to "The Hitman".
Round 2
Hatton looks to be backing off a little more. Malignaggi is so quick with that jab and Hatton may be swelling a little above his eye. Untidy work from "The Hitman" but all of a sudden he lands with a super right hook which is right on the button! That swings the round in his favour with Maliganggi hanging on in the closing stages. The American looks to have a small cut below his left eye.
Round 1
Malignaggi is dancing around the ring and his fast jab is already connecting well in the early stages. Hatton lands with a left hook and is looking to pin his opponent down. "The Hitman" is attempting to make a statement by putting pressure on the American. The crowd are electric for Hatton. Close opening round which could be scored either way.
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3.50am: Hatton, wearing that traditional fat-suit, makes his way down along with the Gallagher brothers. David Beckham is attendance. The camera seems more interested in him rather than the two boxers. Michael Buffer is now on the mic. Malignaggi is wearing blue and white and in the red corner. Hatton, fighting out of the blue corner, is wearing black with silver and blue. Hatton gets a standing ovation. The referee is Kenny Bayless. LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
3.46am: Here comes Malignaggi! The American makes his way to the ring and is being booed by the crowd which is full of Hatton fanatics. His entrance music is remix of songs, ranging from Rihanna to that 'Mai Ah Hee' track. No dreadlocks this time but he does have some strange pattern on his head.
3.36am: In the final undercard bout, former jailbird Kirkland has beaten Vera in a vicious contest. He maintains his unbeaten record after dishing out severe punishment to Vera who was sent crashing to the canvas three times before being stopped in the eighth. Great courage to last that long but he'll regret it in the morning. He may well regret it in a few years time because he was like a sitting duck throughout that fight. Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher has just been interviewed. He and his brother Liam will be leading out Hatton to the ring. That will be in about 15 minutes time. Lets hope Ricky won't be Crying His Heart Out (sorry, couldn't resist). Hope you're all still wide awake. Hatton v Malignaggi is next!
3.11am: The final fight on the undercard is under way. It's a light-middleweight contest between KO specialist James Kirkland and Brian Vera. The unbeaten Kirkland has won 20 of his 23 fights inside the distance. He hasn't needed to go past the second round in his last four fights so I'm not risking a toilet trip. Those of you who watched "The Contender" may recognise Vera who was in the last series of the boxing reality show.
2.57am: More on Lennox who has just been interviewed. He predicts a tough fight for Hatton but is backing "The Hitman" to win. He is then asked whether the reports are true that he would consider a return to the ring. Lewis jokes that he will be back if the Klitschko brothers fight each other. Sean has text in and thinks Hatton will be extra sharp because of Mayweather Snr. Not going to argue with that. The trainer has had him up at 5am most days in preparation for this fight. If Hatton fights as well as Mayweather rhymes, then this one will be over quickly.
2.50am: Matthew Hatton is victorious! He beats Tackie by unanimous decision following a battling display. Big cheer from the crowd who are now spilling into the MGM. So far so good then for the Hatton clan. One more undercard bout and then it will be Ricky in the ring. Elsewhere, I have some breaking news for you. Former British heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis says he will fight again if the price is right. Reports vary from $100-300m. Not asking for much then!
2.33am: Seven rounds gone in Matthew Hatton's bout and it's quite an even but dull contest. Three more to go. Ricky has been interviewed backstage and he's looking very relaxed. He keeps his cards close to his chest but is confident he will stop Malignaggi. Meanwhile, the American insists he will "bust up" Hatton.
2.09am: Here we go! Hatton is in the ring as the bell sounds. It's make or break time for the Mancunian. Matthew that is and not "The Hitman". Ricky's younger brother is in action now against Ben Tackie who has never been stopped in 40 fights. One story I heard about the Ghanaian was that his grandma made him fight his siblings for food when they were younger. I mean literally fight. This guy is hard as nails and will be a tough nut to crack. Matthew will be hoping for the same success his brother had five years ago when Tackie was beaten by the older Hatton.
2.01am: They're already hyping up a possible Hatton v De La Hoya showdown at Wembley next year which would have everyone drooling. If "The Hitman" wins tonight and Oscar beats Manny Pacquiao, then the fight would likely go ahead. It could be another huge year for British boxing in 2009. Even if Joe Calzaghe does retire, we (hopefully) have Hatton and David Haye to look forward to. Keep your predictions coming in.
1.38am: Nasty defeat for Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista who suffers a knockdown before losing by unanimous decision to the underdog Ruiz. Two more fights left on the undercard and then it's the big one. Steve from Manchester says Hatton looks drained and doesn't think he will be able to get close to Paulie. I take it you're from the red half of the city.
1.09am: The action begins under the lights of Las Vegas. The first bout of the night sees Heriberto Ruiz face off against Rey Bautista. The latter should be in a WWE ring with that name (completely lost if you don't follow wrestling). The MGM is only about a quarter full but that will soon change as we near the headline event. Graham from Ipswich has text in to say his favourite boxers are Eubank, Ali and Rocky. I'm hoping you mean Marciano and not Sly Stallone. We all know Apollo taught him a lesson in the first film!
12.43am: SBO (Sky Box Office) have just shown the Hatton v Tszyu fight from a few years ago. I'll never get tired of seeing that. It was a true boxing masterclass and without doubt Ricky's career highlight to date. Keith is the latest to send in his thoughts. He thinks the referee will stop the fight in the eighth for a Hatton win.
12.20am: Although the majority of support is for Hatton, Jason has sent in a comment which has rustled a few feathers. His words: "Ricky Fatton is overrated and was found out when he faced a real fighter in Mayweather. I wouldn't be surprised if he crashed and burned like his Man City team. Malignaggi to win." It takes a brave man to type that on their keyboard. As usual, Ricky's younger brother Matthew will be on the undercard later tonight. He faces the tough Ben Tackie who was beaten by "The Hitman" over 12 rounds in 2003.
11.55pm: Blood and guts have spilled inside the ring during a brutal toe-to-toe Prizefighter final contest. It's only three rounds but there was more action in that bout than Audley Harrison's career. Renda is floored in the first but then recovers before exchanging devastating blows with Murray in the next two. It could have gone either way but it's the favourite Murray whose hand is raised after sealing a split decision. Cracking fight. Latest odds for the main event has Hatton 2/7 for the win with Malignaggi drifting to 9/4. A Hitman KO is tempting at 13/8.
11.30pm: Good evening all and welcome to Orange World's live coverage of the super fight between Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. The pair are scheduled to be in the ring in a few hours time so stay with us for all the action. Right now in Bethnall Green, the Prizefighter competition is drawing to a close with Cello Renda taking on Martin Murray in the final. Those two are battling for the trophy and £25,000 - loose change compared to what Hatton and Malignaggi will be earning later on.
