[Dan_]

Just done watching a repeat on the Hatton fight online.I thought that Ricky did a good job, nothing really spectacular but he got the job done against the tough and very brave Juan Lazcano.

Ricky dominated the first two rounds, he showed no hangover from that Mayweather defeat and just went about his usual business with that all action style.There was an odd incident at the start of round three though with Hatton going down from a push but he looked slightly shaky when getting up and he ended up losing the round as Lazcano came back from the early pressure.

Hatton shook off that poor 3rd round and came out all guns blazing with hooks the body and head that were really catching the attention of Lazcano.From rounds four through to the seven, Hatton was firmly in control and was showing some of the old form with the bodyshots truly looking damaging.He was only getting caught with three or four punches in each of the rounds as Lazcano just looked to fire back to keep Ricky away or take the chance of a counter punch.

Round eight was the best of the fight with Ricky starting out well,be smart by just jabbing and moving before unloaded with the hooks but he got caught with a body punch that really took the wind out of his sails.Lazcano took full advantage and ended up landing about 6/7 punches before Ricky managed to comeback with combinations of his own.Ricky won the 9th round pretty easily and clearly stronger and showed that he wasn't really effected by the what went on in the eighth.

By the time round 10 came it was becoming a very messy fight with lots of holding, especially on the part of Lazcano who was getting by on bravery alone.Ricky was again in control but got caught with the same left hook that Mayweather knocked down with,funny how it happened in the same round and all.It certainly rocked Hatton's head back but a timely intervention came with an untied shoelace.Lazcano was in no condition to mount an offence though, he just stood in the corner looking weary during the stoppage.Ricky was able to close out the round with some good jabs and hooks to the body.

The final two rounds were all about survival for Lazcano, his pride and heart wouldn't allow him to not get through to the final bell.He was just holding on as Hatton rained in with viscious body punches and his head was rocked back a couple of times.I predicted a late stoppage win for Hatton but didn't count on Lazcano being quite so tough.Ricky ended up winning with scores of 120-110,120-108,118-110.Although a couple rounds were close, I could only give one to Lazcano.

Overall it was an entertaining fight and Hatton showed there's still a fair bit left in the tank yet.His fitness looked better down the later rounds than it has in some time, he was still up on his toes and look for the knockout and also held on a bit less.He was a bit short of breath towards end of rounds but that's understanble due to his high workrate.I liked that he jabbed and moved a bit more but he still was boaring in and getting caught, he cannot afford to do that at a higher level.Most impressive was the sheer venom behind those body punches.

On the undercard Matthew Hatton didn't have the same good fortune as his brother.He lost on points to Craig Watson and he will to look at getting back on track and challenge for the title again but he might have just found his level and that's not exactly a high one to be honest.

Paulie Malignaggi managed to just about scrape past Lovemore N'dou by the sounds of things, winning a split decision.Malignaggi was talking about dazzling the crowd and winning ease but didn't do either judging by the reports.He is also said to have broken his hand, that might well have had the effect on his performance.He's very susceptible to hand injuries and it might delay the fight with Hatton.I'm looking forward to the potential match-up though.