The Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN saw Irish middleweight star Andy Lee, 18-1 (13), return to an American ring for the first time in over a year following his shocking loss to Brian Vera.

The lanky southpaw came into his bout with Anthony Shuler, 20-7-1 (14), as a super middle and stopped the Indianapolis man at 2:05 of the eighth in a scheduled ten rounder.

Steel-chinned former IBF light middleweight title challenger Angel "Toro" Hernandez, 30-7 (17), followed up his defeat of prospect James McGirt Jr in January with a sixth round referee stoppage of ex-two weight world title challenger Antwun Echols, 31-12-4 (27), who hasn't won a fight since 2004.

Heavyweight Owen Beck, 29-3 (20), two years removed from his unsuccessful bid at the WBA crown, posted an eight round unanimous decision over granite-jawed former NABO cruiserweight beltholder Jermell Barnes, 18-22-2 (4), who has gone 2-18-2 since January, 2004, by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 77-75. More...

In preparation to Golden Boy Promotions annual "Fight Night At Sundance Square" in Ft Worth, TX tonight, the principal fighters weighed in yesterday.

10 rounds, middleweights
Craig McEwan: 162.5 lb
Brian Vera: 163 lb More...

© Tom Hogan / Golden Boy Promotions

IBO Light Welterweight Champion turned back the clock last night in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, pounding out a vintage high-pressure performance against IBF titlist Paulie Malignaggi for ten rounds until the New Yorker's corner threw in the towel just seconds into the eleventh frame.

Brash Brooklynite Malignaggi backed up his pre-fight boasts in the first round, catching the always advancing Hatton on the way in with sharp jabs but the light hitting IBF beltholder couldn't deter the Englishman from his pursuit.

In the second, Hatton struck the target with right hands on two occasions that shook Malignaggi badly and also began to mix in trademark left hooks to the body of his surprised foe. More...

© Tom Hogan / Golden Boy Promotions

As Las Vegas prepares for tonight's fight night which headlines Ricky Hitman’ Hatton vs. Paulie ’Magic Man’ Malignaggi, Mancunian Hatton promises to give the best performance of his career - but the camp's main concern is that the 5,000 British fans who have made the trip to Vegas don’t ‘boo’ the American National Anthem again this year!

There was some embarrassment last year when the Brits jeered throughout the Anthem for Floyd Mayweather vs. Hatton and - not wanting to upset American Officials - Team Hatton are hoping they’re quiet this time.

With a renewed enthusiasm - Hatton is looking to prove the skeptic's wrong - all those people that think he might be finished.

With new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr subjecting him to a different training regime, Hatton promises to ‘thrill’ once more. But with so many changes - and without the familiar face of Billy Graham in his corner - psychologically, will it be too much for the Hitman? More...

Click for larger image © Tom Hogan / Golden Boy Promotions

In preparation for their hotly anticipated clash this evening at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, top light welters in the world Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi made weight yesterday along with the undercard fighters.

Ricky Hatton: 140 lb
Paulie Malignaggi: 139 lb More...

Paulie Malignaggi: "I'm just glad to be here and I want to thank everybody. I'm not going to go through the names because there are a thousand of them but I want to thank everyone who's involved in setting up this whole show.

"I feel very prepared and I've had a great camp. I'm more than ready for this fight Saturday night. Like Lou [Di Bella] said, I've been waiting a long time for a fight of this magnitude and it's finally here and it's a very exciting time for me. More...

Before Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi step into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to settle their score on November 22, two junior middleweight bangers will light up the Las Vegas night with their explosive attacks when unbeaten James Kirkland takes on 'The Contender's" Brian Vera in a 10-round All-Texas co-feature. More...