Hatton Shocks Tszyu!

Kostya Tszyu found out that Ricky Hatton was indeed the world’s best light welterweight last night when the undefeated Mancunian broke the IBF titlist’s heart enroute to an eleventh round stoppage in Manchester, England.

© Richard Eberline

The fight was a torrid affair with Hatton going after Tszyu from the first bell. “The Hitman” applied relentless, suffocating pressure on the champion, hardly ever stepping off the gas.

Do not miss SaddoBoxing’s exclusive ringside report from our man on the scene, Richard Eberline.

Tszyu tagged Hatton plenty with his high-powered right hand and underrated left hook but the challenger walked through the fire and served up plenty of his own punishment.

In the end, Tszyu was appearing more and more an exhausted and beaten man. Hatton’s strength-sapping body shots took a lot out of the thirty-five-year-old champion who had the look of disbelief on his face throughout the struggle.

Tszyu was not able to answer the final bell and the 22,000 strong audience erupted in sheer elation as Hatton was declared the new IBF champion.

Afterwards, Hatton declared that if he could be even half the champion Tszyu had been he would be happy while the Russian now living in Australian admitted he lost to the better man and that Hatton was the best fighter he had ever shared the ring with.

At the post fight press conference, promoter Frank Warren declared Hatton would be available to fight Mayweather, Gatti, Cotto or Harris after the twenty- six-year-old had a long vacation.