By Alan Thomson: It wasn’t an off night for Paulie Malignaggi. He got dominated by a better fighter. A much better fighter. Ricky Hatton erased any doubts that had been based on his recent performances by thoroughly thrashing Malignaggi, winning nine of the first ten rounds before Malignaggi’s corner had seen enough and threw in the towel in the eleventh.
The first round went to Malignaggi as he boxed and moved effectively, leaving a mouse under Hatton’s left eye. After that, it was all Hatton. In round two Ricky landed a huge straight right hand that would have sent Paulie to the canvas had he not grabbed and held on. Ricky began to work effectively to the body in round three and landed a solid hook to the head as the round came to a close.
The fourth through the sixth were less eventful as Malignaggi attempted to work his jab but was crowded by Hatton and began to spend more time holding than fighting. Not many punches landed for either fighter but Hatton’s were the harder, more effective blows.
Hatton landed several good hooks to the head in round seven as Malignaggi had some success counterpunching but Ricky’s shots were much more punishing. Paulie landed a good right hand to start the eighth but the Hit Man kept attacking. Hatton rocked Malignaggi with a jab followed by a right uppercut toward the end of the round.
Malignaggi had become very defensive minded by this point and appeared to be more concerned with surviving than winning. He was not able to work combinations as he normally does, usually only able to get off a single jab before Hatton was on him.
Hatton rocked Paulie again with a left early in round nine.
Round eleven opened with Malignaggi trying to circle but finding Hatton on him like a conjoined twin. As Ricky continued his assault, Malignaggi’s trainer Buddy McGirt climbed to the ring apron, signaling for the referee to halt the bout.
The difference maker in the fight was Hatton’s foot speed. He used it to get on top of Malignaggi before Paulie could get on his horse and go to work. Malignaggi wins his fights by using foot movement to circle and get angles on his opponents. Ricky took his game away and made him a stationary fighter. And no junior welterweight in the world is going to stand in front of Hatton and not take a beating. Least of all one with as little power as Malignaggi.
Ricky looked about as sharp as he has since his win over Kostya Tszyu. He worked his jab effectively and his defense seemed much improved as he was able to slip punches by utilizing head movement.
If there were any questions as to who the best junior welterweight in the world is, Hatton answered them on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
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