Ringside Boxing Report: Craig Watson Vs. Matthew Hatton

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

There were a total of five title fights on Saturday night at the City of Manchester Stadium, England.

“Magic” Matthew Hatton challenged Craig Watson for the Commonwealth (British Empire) Title.

I was fortunate to speak with Watson briefly on Friday and he told me “I’m really looking forward to this fight, it’s a big occasion in front of all those people but I’m feeling very confident.”

Hatton, wearing his trademark camouflage shorts enters the ring alongside trainer, Billy Graham. Watson, in the dark blue and white shorts, sprinted to the ring with his team headed by trainer, Joe Pennington.

Southpaw Watson gets off to a good start, looking the sharper of the two men. Hatton seems to be taking time to ‘suss-out’ his opponent – looking for the ‘shot’. A right hook comes from Hatton mid-way through the round. Hatton almost ‘stalks’ Watson from his central position. Hatton’s nose is bleeding as he goes back to the corner at the end of the first round.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

In the opening seconds of round two as the two fighters pull apart, Hatton quickly reacts and throws a right hook which causes Watson to stumble back. Watson immediately comes back with a right and left and further punches as Hatton covers up. Hatton does a lot of covering up this round but is not throwing a lot of punches.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Watson, the busier of the two fighters, continues to look fast and sharp, but in the closing seconds of round three he is caught by a good right from Hatton and is backed up to the ropes momentarily. Watson can be seen saying something to Hatton, and then the bell signals the end of the round.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

As round four begins, Watson forces Hatton back against the ropes. Now it’s Watson who commands the centre of the ring instead of Hatton. Mid-way through the round a good left punch from Watson almost sends Hatton off-balance.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Round five, Watson throws a solid left punch and a split second later a solid right lands from Hatton, but Watson still looks the sharper, busier man though Hatton has a good technique of blocking shots.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Round seven and Hatton lands a left as Watson lands a right and Watson can be heard giving a verbal “Woo!” as if to say, ‘there you go’. With just over a minute to go, they both land again with Watson getting in a good right but Hatton throws a long right punch that rocks back the head of Watson. But it’s Watson that then pursues Hatton who covers up again.

Sky Fight-stats show that Watson is landing nearly twice the number of punches to Hatton.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

In the opening half-minute of round eight, Referee Terry O’Conner calls both men together to tell them to clean it up. It’s very messy on the inside! Both fighters land a shot at the same time again and Watson can be heard exclaiming “woo” and moments later a great left from Watson flies in. Then Hatton lands a right and Watson acknowledges it ‘facially’. O’Conner calls time as Hatton’s gum shield is retrieved in the closing seconds of the frame. It’s been a better round for Hatton.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Sky stats show that although Hatton has twice as much success with his punches 32% to 16% he has only thrown a third of the quantity of punches. Watson has thrown 161 to 480.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

A big swinging right hand from Watson in the opening seconds of round eleven and he ‘woos’ loudly as if appreciating his own shot. Seconds later and a good swinging left punch from Hatton slices across the nose of Watson as he is backed up against the ropes. It’s been a better round for Hatton.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Billy Graham urges Hatton to set Watson up for a big punch before they come out for the twelfth and final round. But the big punch doesn’t happen and Watson remains focussed to the end.

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Watson retains his title by unanimous decision by scores of 116-112, 117-112 and 118-111.

Afterwards, Watson talked of his delight at retaining the title – “I’ve trained so hard for it – 10 weeks solid training… and it paid off.”