British Fans Pack Las Vegas To Cheer On Hatton For Malignaggi Showdown

ByJane Warburton


© 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?

Malignaggi’s trainer Buddy McGirt is super-confident that his charge will be victorious and others suggest that fast-fisted, quick-moving, Malignaggi will prevail in the latter rounds of the contest with ‘speed‘ being the key.

At yesterday’s weigh-in, between 3,000 and 4,000 Brits packed the MGM Grand to cheer on the Hitman. “There’s only one Ricky Hatton” they sing as he stepped up to the platform. Cool Malignaggi tipped the scales at 139 lb followed by Hatton at 140 lb.

Waving a little American flag, the Brooklynite tries to ‘whip’ up the crowd but with the room crammed with British fans, there was little noise from the American contingent.

As the two men faced each other for the head-to-head shot, there was no goading from either, just cool looks of confidence and the weigh-in passed without a hitch.

Afterward, Hatton addressed the fans saying “Thanks everyone for your amazing support – I’m gonna do you proud again!”

If he wins – Hatton will be on schedule to face the winner of Oscar de la Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao.