Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi
Encyclopedia
Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi was a boxing
light welterweight
match-up between the top two in the division at that time, to determine the number one light welterweight in the world. It was called "Power vs. Precision" and was held on November 22, 2008 at the MGM Grand Las Vegas
.
had been at the top of the rankings since his victory over Kostya Tszyu and followed up with wins over Juan Urango
, José Luis Castillo
and Juan Lazcano
.
Malignaggi
was the former IBF
champion who had beaten the likes of Herman NGoudjo
and Lovemore N'Dou
. Both of the fighters fought on the same bill in Manchester
, England at Hatton's Homecoming fight at the City of Manchester Stadium
following his loss to Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Hatton winning a unanimous decision against Juan Lazcano and Malignaggi winning a split decision against Lovermore N'Dou. During Malignaggi's fight he had to get a haircut in between the rounds.
Another Major event that preceded the fight was the firing of long term trainer Billy Graham
by Hatton and employing Floyd Mayweather, Sr., father of the only man to beat him, at that time, into his corner. Malignaggi's trainer Buddy McGirt
remained adamant that Hatton was past his best and insisted Malignaggi would beat him. Hatton did admit that if he was beaten he would retire.
introduced the fight on HBO World Championship Boxing and the referee was Kenny Bayless
.
Malignaggi started off the fight well, winning the first round by utilising his jab
and getting a rhythm, However in the second round a massive right by Hatton shook Malignaggi and he had to hold on for the rest of the round. From then on Hatton took control and won all the other rounds, with more big shots and combinations, until Malignaggi's trainer, Buddy McGirt
threw in the towel in the 11th round. McGirt had warned Malignaggi that if he didn't do better in the next round he would pull him out and he stuck to his word.
Hatton jumped up onto the ropes as Malignaggi furiously protested to, and pushed McGirt. However the final scores of 99-91 from all three judges proved that Malignaggi would not have been able to defeat Hatton on points in the remaining rounds.
vs. Oscar De La Hoya
. When Manny Pacquiao defeated De La Hoya it was arranged that they will meet on May 2 in Las Vegas
. Hatton was swiftly defeated. Malignaggi contemplated retirement but decided to fight on for money.
defeats
Ben Tackie
via unanimous decision. James Kirkland
KOs
Brian Vera in the eighth round. Sirimongkol Singwancha defeats 
Rogelio Castaneda Jr via majority decision. Heriberto Ruiz defeats 
Rey Bautista
via unanimous decision. Adrien Broner KOs Terrance Jett in the sixth round. Danny Garcia
defeats Adan Hernandez via unanimous decision. Hylon Williams Jr. defeats Ramon Flores via unanimous decision. Adrian Gonzalez defeats Jose Pacheco via unanimous decision.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
match-up between the top two in the division at that time, to determine the number one light welterweight in the world. It was called "Power vs. Precision" and was held on November 22, 2008 at the MGM Grand Las Vegas
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the third largest hotel in the world and largest hotel resort complex in the United States in front of The Venetian. The MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in...
.
Build-up
Ricky HattonRicky Hatton
Richard John Hatton MBE, more commonly known as Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, , is a former British professional boxer, and currently a promoter....
had been at the top of the rankings since his victory over Kostya Tszyu and followed up with wins over Juan Urango
Juan Urango
Juan "Iron Twin" Urango is a professional boxer in the junior welterweight division.-Pro Career:...
, José Luis Castillo
José Luis Castillo
José Luis Castillo is a Mexican boxer. Nicknamed El Temible, Castillo is considered one the best lightweights of his era. He is the former The Ring and two-time WBC Lightweight champion....
and Juan Lazcano
Juan Lazcano
Juan Lazcano is a Mexican American professional boxer from El Paso, Texas, who is now based in Sacramento, California, USA....
.
Malignaggi
Paul Malignaggi
Paul "Paulie" Malignaggi is an Italian-American professional boxer. He is the former IBF junior welterweight champion, and former WBO NABO light welterweight champion.-Light Welterweight:...
was the former IBF
IBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
champion who had beaten the likes of Herman NGoudjo
Herman Ngoudjo
Herman Ngoudjo is a Cameroonian-Canadian Professional boxer and former Olympic boxer, losing his opening round match against Talaybek Kadyraliev in the 54kg weight class at 2000 Summer Olympics...
and Lovemore N'Dou
Lovemore N'dou
Lovemore N'dou is an Australian based South African boxer.He was the IBF world light welterweight champion, until he lost the title to Paul Malignaggi.-Fight career:...
. Both of the fighters fought on the same bill in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England at Hatton's Homecoming fight at the City of Manchester Stadium
City of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
following his loss to Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Hatton winning a unanimous decision against Juan Lazcano and Malignaggi winning a split decision against Lovermore N'Dou. During Malignaggi's fight he had to get a haircut in between the rounds.
Another Major event that preceded the fight was the firing of long term trainer Billy Graham
Billy Graham (boxing trainer)
William Stuart "Billy 'the Preacher'" Graham is a former amateur and professional boxer and head of Billy 'the Preacher' Grahams Phoenix Camp.Graham was the last boxer to fight at the Kings Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester...
by Hatton and employing Floyd Mayweather, Sr., father of the only man to beat him, at that time, into his corner. Malignaggi's trainer Buddy McGirt
Buddy McGirt
James Walter "Buddy" McGirt is a boxing trainer, and retired boxer. He was born in Brentwood, New York.- Professional boxing career :...
remained adamant that Hatton was past his best and insisted Malignaggi would beat him. Hatton did admit that if he was beaten he would retire.
The fight
Michael BufferMichael Buffer
Michael Buffer is an American professional ring announcer for boxing and professional wrestling matches. He is known for his trademarked catchphrase, "Let's get ready to rumble!" He is known for pioneering a distinct announcing style in which he rolls certain letters and adds other inflections to...
introduced the fight on HBO World Championship Boxing and the referee was Kenny Bayless
Kenny Bayless
Kenny Bayless is an American professional boxing referee from Nevada best known for having refereed the superfights Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton, Oscar de la Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi, Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito, and Manny Pacquiao vs...
.
Malignaggi started off the fight well, winning the first round by utilising his jab
Jab
A jab is a type of punch used in the martial arts.Several variations of the jab exist, but every jab shares these characteristics: while in a fighting stance, the lead fist is thrown straight ahead and the arm is fully extended...
and getting a rhythm, However in the second round a massive right by Hatton shook Malignaggi and he had to hold on for the rest of the round. From then on Hatton took control and won all the other rounds, with more big shots and combinations, until Malignaggi's trainer, Buddy McGirt
Buddy McGirt
James Walter "Buddy" McGirt is a boxing trainer, and retired boxer. He was born in Brentwood, New York.- Professional boxing career :...
threw in the towel in the 11th round. McGirt had warned Malignaggi that if he didn't do better in the next round he would pull him out and he stuck to his word.
Hatton jumped up onto the ropes as Malignaggi furiously protested to, and pushed McGirt. However the final scores of 99-91 from all three judges proved that Malignaggi would not have been able to defeat Hatton on points in the remaining rounds.
Aftermath
It was always thought that if Hatton won he would have fought the winner of Manny PacquiaoManny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
vs. Oscar De La Hoya
Oscar de la Hoya
Oscar De La Hoya is a retired American boxer of Mexican descent. Nicknamed "The Golden Boy", De La Hoya won a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games shortly after graduating from Garfield High School. De La Hoya comes from a boxing family. His grandfather Vicente, father Joel Sr., and brother...
. When Manny Pacquiao defeated De La Hoya it was arranged that they will meet on May 2 in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
. Hatton was swiftly defeated. Malignaggi contemplated retirement but decided to fight on for money.
Undercard
Matthew HattonMatthew Hatton
Matthew James Hatton , is a professional boxer, using the nickname "Magic". He is a welterweight, and is a former Commonwealth and World title challenger and the current European Champion....
defeats
Ben TackieBen Tackie
Benjamin Wonder Tackie, , is a professional boxer. Tackie is known for his chin and his ability to throw a high volume of punches. All of his losses have come via decision.-Professional career:...
via unanimous decision. James Kirkland
James Kirkland (boxer)
James Derick Kirkland is an American professional boxer.Kirkland fights at light middleweight, and is the WBO NABO light middleweight title holder...
KOs
Brian Vera in the eighth round. Sirimongkol Singwancha defeats Rogelio Castaneda Jr via majority decision. Heriberto Ruiz defeats Rey BautistaRey Bautista
Reynaldo Bautista , more commonly known as Boom Boom Bautista, is a Filipino professional boxer, currently residing in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.- Early life :...
via unanimous decision. Adrien Broner KOs
Terrance Jett in the sixth round. Danny GarciaDanny Garcia (boxer)
Danny Garcia is an American professional boxer.-Amateur highlights:*2006 U.S. national champion*2005 Tammer Tournament champion*2005 Under-19 national champion-Professional career:...
defeats
Adan Hernandez via unanimous decision. Hylon Williams Jr. defeats Ramon Flores via unanimous decision. Adrian Gonzalez defeats Jose Pacheco via unanimous decision.