By Mark Vester

At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32KOs) stopped Paulie Malignaggi (25-2, 5KOs) after eleven rounds of action when Malignaggi's corner threw in the towel.

They came out cautious with a very loud pro-Hatton crowd chanting songs. Malignaggi was countering well, jabbing and catching  Hatton as he came in. Malignaggi's left jab and right hand was giving Hatton all sorts of problems. USA chants broke out in the second as Hatton was being outboxed from long range.  A right hand stunned Malignaggi bad during the final minute. Hatton continued to pound him with hard shots. Time ran out before Hatton could finish.

Malignaggi came out with the double jab in the third. Hattonwas picking up the pace and really came out to bully Malignaggi. Hatton would catch Malignaggi with good shots to the head and body when they were tied up. Malignaggi would land counters, but Hatton walked right through them. At the end Hatton would land a hard right and then a hard left to send the British fans in a frenzy.

Malignaggi went back to staying away and boxing in the fourth. Hatton would rush in with bigger and stronger shots. Hatton continued to come forward in the fifth, landing harder punches. Maliganggi would circle in the sixth and pop Hatton with the left jab as the Manchester fighter followed him around.

Hatton was getting closer in the seventh, landing hard lefts that were rocking Malignaggi. As Hatton would rush in during the final minute, he would get countered, but he came back near the end with some counters of his own. Malignaggi started with a good right during the eight and Hatton caught him a few seconds later with a good left. Another left and an uppercut shook Malignaggi up.

A swinging left hook pushed Malignaggi back in the ninth. Hatton started landing to the body of Malignaggi and doubling his output of power punches. Malignaggi was countering him again in the tenth, firing off left hand counters as Hatton came in. During the tenth, Malignaggi was taking some heavy punches and did not appear too hurt, but trainer Buddy McGirt had seen enough and threw in the towel so Malignaggi would not take any more damage. 

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com