Pacquiao floors Hatton inside two rounds
Hatton lost for only the second time in his career against Pacquiao
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Sunday, 03, May 2009 08:58
Ricky Hatton's dream of becoming pound-for-pound champion ended in another devastating defeat in Las Vegas after Manny Pacquiao knocked him out in two rounds.
Hatton was floored three times during the fight before a left hand from Pacquiao finished off the Mancunian one second before the end of the second round.
Pacquiao took Hatton's IBO light-welterweight title with the win but it was the coveted pound-for-pound status that was really at stake.
The Filipino fighter was by far the busier of the two fighters and was able to brilliantly counteract anything Hatton was trying to throw at him.
Hatton's hopes of out-muscling the naturally smaller Pacquiao disappeared when his opponent caught him with a number of straight right hands – the third of which was enough to send Hatton to the canvas.
He rose after an eight-count but still looked shaken from the blow. Pacquiao sensed Hatton was there for the taking and increased his work-rate, buzzing around the Briton firing off combinations.
A huge left hook put Hatton on the floor for the second time in the opening round and he seemed to get to his feet purely on instinct.
Hatton held on to Pacquiao as the bell ended his nightmare start to the contest.
Pacquiao continued to attack in the second round, picking off Hatton at will when he could as Hatton was now leaning on the Filipino so much that the referee had to warn him.
Pacquiao ended the fight with a stunning left hand that sent Hatton unconscious before he had even hit the floor.
The Briton was down for some time after the fight had ended and was taken to hospital for a precautionary scan.
Pacquiao's record is now 49 wins and three defeats from 54 fights, while Hatton's second defeat in a 47-fight career could be his last time in the ring.