By Rick Reeno

Undefeated Ricky Hatton moves one step closer to a dream fight with junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu by knocking out top contender Ray Oliveira. Prior to this bout, Oliveira had never been stopped and he was never dominated in this type of fashion.

Oliveira is not some scrub, he handed reigning champ Vivian Harris his first defeat, outboxed Vince Phillips and gave Vernon Forrest all he could handle (taking that fight on a few days notice at the welterweight limit). Oliveira's bout with Ben Tackie had non stop action from start to finish, the bout is ranked number 3 by Compubox for most punches thrown in a fight with over 2,700 punches thrown between both men. All of this did not matter once Hatton showed him that he was in the ring with a different breed of fighter. 

Hatton started the first round off with a bang when he dropped Oliveira with a monster power shot. Oliveira should of stayed down as he was beaten up pretty bad in every single round. Oliveira tasted the canvas again in round ten when he was hit with another flush power shot from Hatton.

The corner of Oliveira said their man had enough punishment and Hatton picked up a big ten round TKO win. The time is now perfect for Kostya Tszyu and Ricky Hatton to get together for a big money fight. There are no TV networks in the way, both men have huge followings and neither should have any excuses about getting it on.