Ricky Hatton: the whole life is a fight!

"His Majesty's boxing" pleases millions of viewers around the world. And therefore it is not surprising that in this hard sport there are their "stars", to see the battles of which the huge number of people seeks. One of these fighters, who became an idol for many fans of martial arts on the planet, at one time became Briton Ricky Hatton.

The appearance of the light

The future leader of the welterweight division was born on October 6, 1978 in the English town of Stockport. His father, Ray Hutton, was a footballer in the past. As a child, Ricky Hatton began to engage in kickboxing, but after he was pointed to the small length of his legs, he made the final decision to switch to classic boxing.

Boxing way in amateurs

At the age of 18 Ricky wins a bronze medal of the world championship among juniors, having suffered only one defeat in the semifinal fight against the Russian Timur Nergadze. And already in 1997 young English talent became the champion of Great Britain in the first welterweight among amateurs. In 1999, Ricky Hatton, according to the British Association of Journalists, was awarded the title of the best young boxer. And Frank Warren, the promoter of an Englishman, generally called him "the best boxer who appeared on the British Isles after the epoch of Prince Nasim Hamed."

Experts know that strikes on the body adorn the box. Ricky Hatton, in turn, also took up arms on the body, actively using them during fights. And therefore it is quite logical that the idol of the British was always the famous panaman Roberto Durand, for whom work on the corps was always a priority.

The beginning of a professional career

His debut fight, Ricky Hatton, was held on September 11, 1997. It is noteworthy that his opponent could not stand one round. And three months later, the "Assassin's Murderer" (this is the nickname that Hatton had) boxed in the American Madison Square Garden and beat four rounds on Robert Alvarez's points.

The first title

In his thirteenth career fight, Ricky defeats Dillon Carew and becomes Intercontinental WBO World Welterweight Champion. After which he holds 5 title defenses and in September 2000 and takes over the WBA International title by defeating Giuseppe Lauri.

Weak sides

Hatton, despite all his power of impact and power, yet had one extremely unpleasant for a professional boxer's penchant - getting deep cuts. In the battle with Taxton, in which our hero was stronger, he was hit by a trauma already at the beginning of the fight. After the fight, Hatton was given 28 stitches over his left eye, because there was a strong cut.

Dominant Champion

On March 26, 2001, Hatton defeated the Canadian Pep and tried on the WBU champion belt in his first welterweight title. A year later, the British fight was first broadcast on the American channel Showtime. This was his third title defense against Mikhail Krivolapov.

First fall

In the battle with the Amy Magee in the first round, Ricky was on the canvas, bursting into the oncoming right side. And although eventually Hatton won the decision of the judges, this fight still showed that he is not an impenetrable fighter.

I see a purpose, but I do not see obstacles!

The brilliant series of victories of the representative of the "Foggy Albion" contributed to the fact that on October 1, 2004 Hatton becomes a full participant in the qualifying match for the right to fight the world champion in the IBF junior welterweight title, which at that time was owned by Russian Kostya Tszyu. Ricky's opponent was American Michael Stewart. Already in the first round, Stewart twice knocked down, and in the fifth round, he lost a loss of technical knockout. As a result, June 4, 2005, Hatton wins Tszyu TKO and takes away his title.

Legends defeats

"Floyd Mayweather - Ricky Hatton." At the time of this championship fight (Mayweather held his first defense), both boxers had more than 80 wins for two and no defeats. The battle as a whole took place under the dictation of the American, and already in the 10th round Ricky first falls into a knockdown, and after his corner was forced to throw the towel into the ring, signaling the surrender. Thus, Hatton received his first defeat.

"Manny Pacquiao is Ricky Hatton." It was this confrontation that led to the brutal knockout of the British. On May 2, 2009, in the last seconds of the second round, the Filipino with the most powerful left side "extinguishes the light" in Hatton's eyes and takes his IBO belt. By the way, it is after this fight that the Briton begins to drink heavily, use drugs and generally lead a unbridled lifestyle. However, after some time he still takes himself in hand and returns to boxing. As a victim, Vyacheslav Senchenko, a Ukrainian, chooses. But, as time showed, absolutely in vain. November 24, 2012 the result of the battle for the British was sad. Hatton was knocked out after a missed blow to the liver. The twenty-thousandth arena of spectators in Manchester was disappointed, because the "victim" showed itself exclusively as a predator, which contributed to the early completion of their pet's career.

In conclusion, we note that Ricky Hatton, whose knockouts occurred due to his own fault, should be grateful to the Ukrainian opponent. Who knows how the career of the British would have developed further if he had won against Senchenko. After all, most likely Ricky in his characteristic manner would go further on his way to the top, and probably broke his teeth on someone more serious. But, as you know, history does not like the subjunctive mood. And therefore we will pay tribute to this great English boxer, who always rejoiced the audience with his fights.