Hatton enters boxing elite

Ricky Hatton’s masterful points win over Ben Tackie at Manchester’s MEN Arena last night elevated him into the light-welterweight elite.

Hatton shattered any lingering doubts about his world-class credentials with a perfect performance against Ghana’s rock-hard former world title challenger.

The 25-year-old won every round on two of the three judges’ scorecards as he picked up landslide 120-109, 120-109, 118-110 verdicts to retain his WBU title for the 11th time.

In doing so he surpassed the performances of the division’s two biggest names - Kostya Tszyu and Sharmba Mitchell – both of whom were also stretched to points by Tackie.

Hatton said: “It was my most dangerous fight but I felt quite comfortable in there.

“I boxed a sensible fight and adapted my tactics as it went along. I think I showed something new that I’d never done before.

“A lot of people say Ricky Hatton is a come-forward pressure fighter, a body-puncher with good workrate. I’ve been saying for a long time that I’m a lot more than that and I think I proved that.”

There had never been any disputing that the proven Tackie presented a live threat and it was feared the challenger’s mixture of looping hooks and rough work inside might trouble the champion.

But roared on by yet another massive crowd approaching 17,000, Hatton combined searing shots with dazzling footwork to stay out of danger in what could very well prove to have been the defining fight of his career.

Sore hands scuppered any faint hopes Hatton might have harboured about a stoppage win but the champion does not believe they will cause problems in even bigger tests in the new year.

He added: “My hands are very sore but I don’t think they’re broken, they’re just very badly bruised.

“Ben Tackie’s got to have the biggest head I’ve ever seen in my life!

“I think I showed the right moments to put my foot on the gas and the right moments to conserve energy.”

Hatton had looked a good bet for a stunning early win after the first three minutes in which Tackie, who had struggled to make the weight, looked wobbly on his legs.

But that was clearly illusory as Tackie soon loosened up and set about attempting to ward off his opponent’s relentless but measured attacks.

Tackie enjoyed a good seventh after becoming riled by a Hatton punch after the bell and also came out swinging in the penultimate round knowing he was well behind on points.

But apart from his superb tactics it was a night when Hatton also consigned memories of his flash early knockdown by Eamonn Magee to history and proved he has one of the best chins in the business.

He mixed the ferocity his fans love with a sensible gameplan which afforded Tackie not the slightest chance to make an impression.

His promoter Frank Warren said: “Ricky’s performance was perfect. He proved that not only is he a tough guy but he has also got a great boxing brain.”

Hatton’s performance will doubtless impress those who watched the fight delayed on America’s Showtime network.

The onus is now back on Warren to land even bigger fights with the networks becoming increasingly picky about their options.

Tszyu and Mitchell are due to fight in Moscow in February and Mitchell would appear the next best option whether he comes out with the titles or not.

Mitchell’s promoter Gary Shaw watched Hatton last night and said he would relish the chance to put his man in with the Manchester favourite.

Shaw said: “I represent the man who I believe is the best in the world but I think that was the best Ricky Hatton I’ve ever seen.

“The fighter you saw tonight would make a really interesting fight against Sharmba Mitchell. If the money is right we would love to come and fight Ricky Hatton here.”