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RICKY HATTON'S dream of stepping onto the front page of boxing's history books ended in the early hours of this morning - but The Hitman has vowed to bounce back.
The British fighter failed in his brave attempt to beat the world's No 1 fighter Floyd Mayweather in his own backyard.
Hatton, nicknamed The Hitman, was knocked out in the 10th round as he tried to rip away Mayweather's WBC welterweight title.
It was a bitter defeat for Hatton to take with the referee Joe Cortez frequently cramping the Brit's style.
The Manchester fighter truly believed he could stun the watching American TV audience and maintain his unbeaten record.
Hatton, stepping up to welterweight for only the second time in his career, admitted that Mayweather was a natural at the weight.
"It sounds daft because he knocked me down but I don't think he is the biggest puncher but he is very accurate," Hatton said. "He is more natural at the weight than me and it showed at times.
"He is very clever at using his arms and elbows to get out of the way. He hit me with a few sneaky ones on my way in but it's not a tickling contest.
"I think I was forcing it and doing well but showed have had a little more care."
Asked if he would be back, Hatton replied: "I've been knocked down but I'll come back. Ricky Hatton is not finished."
Mayweather admitted Hatton had been a tough opponent.
He said: "Ricky Hatton is one tough fighter. He is still a champion in my eyes and I'd love to see him fight again.
"Ricky Hatton is probably one of toughest competitors I've faced. I hit him with some big ones but he kept coming and I can see why they call him the 'Hitman'."
Mayweather, asked to explain his fight strategy, added: "I took my time. I fought on the inside, fought on the outside. That was my game plan. A true champion can adapt to anything."
Hatton carries no shame away from the challenge. He worked his socks off but the fleet-footed Mayweather was just too good.
Hatton waves farewell to his undefeated run at the 44th hurdle. He fell but gave everybody who has so devotedly followed him an inspiring run for their money.
Mayweather moves on to the 39th step without a blemish a winning streak that began 11 years ago. He retains his world crown and his beloved bragging rights.
Watched by a star-studded crowd including David Beckham, Brad Pitt, Tiger Woods and Bruce Willis, the atmosphere was electric as from the first bell Hatton tried to impose his physical strength on the champion.
Hatton landed the first blow - a jab - but Mayweather hit back immediately as the two fighters circled each other.
Mayweather landed a right hand and then coolly slipped Hatton's reply.
But seconds later Hatton stunned Mayweather with a left jab that had the American reeling.
The referee quickly got involved in the fight, warning both fighters for punches behind the head and rougharm stuff.
Hatton had more success but the cleaner shots were still being landed by Mayweather.
Two lefts and a right knocked Hatton's head back at the start of the third and he protested that the ref wouldn't let him work inside.
Then a right, a left and a right again from Mayweather caught Hatton and he was cut by his right eye.
As people predicted, Mayweathere's slashing punches caused the damage and cuts man Mick Williamson was quickly called into action. Hatton was unperturbed as he came out for the fourth and pinned back Mayweather in his own corner.
It was probably the round in which Hatton landed more punches but the more damaging stuff was coming from Mayweather.
In the fifth, Mayweather concentrated on having a breather and being more elusive.
In the sixth, the referee deducted a point from Hatton for hitting on the back of the head to the fury of the British fans. TV replays showed the punch did not even land.
Hatton was so upset by the referee's decision he turned round and bent his backside in Mayweather's direction and then resumed the action.
Going into the seventh was when Hatton thought his fitness levels would start to tell but Mayweather was covering up well from the onslaught with a lot of punches flying over the back of the American.
Four terrific rights rattled Hatton in the eighth and his knees buckled under the volley of shots. But somehow Hatton stayed upright as the referee looked ready to step in.
But the fight ended in the 10th with a terrific left hook from Mayweather had Hatton reeling and then the champion clinically finished the fight after 1min 35secs of the round.
Somebody's had to go and Hatton's disappeared down the plughole but he can still continue to bathe in the admiration of his fans.
One defeat against the best doesn't wipe out a reputaion. A loss doesn't kill off a career or rub away fondness.
A victory would have ranked Manchester's 29-year-old Hatton in the exalted company of truly astounding British wins, such as Randolph Turpin overcoming the maestro Sugar Ray Robinson and Lloyd Honeyghan going to the States to batter Don Curry from his top tier.
But his name is already, and rightly, listed in the British records and roll of honour. His win over Kostya Tszyu can never be erased and there will still be money-making opportunities out there for him.
Hatton, accompanied by the brass band that follows the England football team, planned to strike a high note to compensate for all the recent miserable competition soccer failures.
Watched by his parents, brother and girlfriend - and anybody else who could pay, beg, steal or borrow a coveted 'I was there' ticket - he found himself in a different league to the three opponents he has faced in the States over the previous 20 months.
Luis Collazo, Juan Urango and Jose Luis Castillo do not swim in the same sea as Mayweather. Tears and sympathy for Mayweather have always been in short supply.
His boasts of supremacy grate on the public and he deludes himself by claiming he matches the appeal of Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard.
All the million-dollar bling that Mayweather postures around in has given him an irritating profile.
There is a queue of people who wish to be there when he falls. They love to hate him.
They will have to carry on doing so. But the British fans will continue to love Hatton.
__________________________________________________ ___
KHAN GOES FOR NAZ RECORD
BIRTHDAY BOY Amir Khan took just 72 seconds to thrash Graham Earl then roared "I'd fight for a world title tomorrow."
After 14 victories in his previous 14 professional fights this was billed as the sternest examination of Khan's abilities yet.
But Khan passed with flying colours to celebrate his 21st birthday in style and retain his Commonwealth lightweight championship in a packed Bolton Arena.
And he swiftly repeated his desire to become a world champion at a younger age than Britain's youngest ever world champ Naseem Hamed — which gives him a July 25 deadline.
A shot at British champion Jon Thaxton looks on the cards next but Khan insisted: "I'd fight for a world title tomorrow. I can do it before Naz."
Roared on by Ryan Giggs, Darren Campbell and Andy Johnson, Khan wasted no time in destroying his opponent.
After landing a couple of solid left-handers, Khan rocked Earl with a right hook as the Luton man tried in vain to attack.
Then two huge left hooks, the first of which clearly had Earl reeling, put the 29-year-old on the canvas for a standing eight-count.
Khan was not about to back off and having cornered Earl, referee Howard Foster had seen enough after another flurry of hits. It was a string of massive blows to which Earl, who had won 25 of his previous 27 fights, simply had no response.
Khan added: "His right hand was dropping every time he came in.
"I've seen it in his eyes that he didn't want anything. No disrespect, he's a great fighter, he's held the British title. So to beat someone like that is great."
And promoter Frank Warren added: "I never expected that. I thought this would be tough.
"Will he beat Naz's record? We'll see after his next one."
And despite taking a battering, Earl insisted the fight was stopped too early. He sighed: "He's a good young talent but you can't do him any favours by coming in and stopping it like that.
"My head was clear and the referee shouldn't jump in like that.
"I'd taken a few hits but it's boxing — you can't go in the water and not get wet."
The British fighter failed in his brave attempt to beat the world's No 1 fighter Floyd Mayweather in his own backyard.
Hatton, nicknamed The Hitman, was knocked out in the 10th round as he tried to rip away Mayweather's WBC welterweight title.
It was a bitter defeat for Hatton to take with the referee Joe Cortez frequently cramping the Brit's style.
The Manchester fighter truly believed he could stun the watching American TV audience and maintain his unbeaten record.
Hatton, stepping up to welterweight for only the second time in his career, admitted that Mayweather was a natural at the weight.
"It sounds daft because he knocked me down but I don't think he is the biggest puncher but he is very accurate," Hatton said. "He is more natural at the weight than me and it showed at times.
"He is very clever at using his arms and elbows to get out of the way. He hit me with a few sneaky ones on my way in but it's not a tickling contest.
"I think I was forcing it and doing well but showed have had a little more care."
Asked if he would be back, Hatton replied: "I've been knocked down but I'll come back. Ricky Hatton is not finished."
Mayweather admitted Hatton had been a tough opponent.
He said: "Ricky Hatton is one tough fighter. He is still a champion in my eyes and I'd love to see him fight again.
"Ricky Hatton is probably one of toughest competitors I've faced. I hit him with some big ones but he kept coming and I can see why they call him the 'Hitman'."
Mayweather, asked to explain his fight strategy, added: "I took my time. I fought on the inside, fought on the outside. That was my game plan. A true champion can adapt to anything."
Hatton carries no shame away from the challenge. He worked his socks off but the fleet-footed Mayweather was just too good.
Hatton waves farewell to his undefeated run at the 44th hurdle. He fell but gave everybody who has so devotedly followed him an inspiring run for their money.
Mayweather moves on to the 39th step without a blemish a winning streak that began 11 years ago. He retains his world crown and his beloved bragging rights.
Watched by a star-studded crowd including David Beckham, Brad Pitt, Tiger Woods and Bruce Willis, the atmosphere was electric as from the first bell Hatton tried to impose his physical strength on the champion.
Hatton landed the first blow - a jab - but Mayweather hit back immediately as the two fighters circled each other.
Mayweather landed a right hand and then coolly slipped Hatton's reply.
But seconds later Hatton stunned Mayweather with a left jab that had the American reeling.
The referee quickly got involved in the fight, warning both fighters for punches behind the head and rougharm stuff.
Hatton had more success but the cleaner shots were still being landed by Mayweather.
Two lefts and a right knocked Hatton's head back at the start of the third and he protested that the ref wouldn't let him work inside.
Then a right, a left and a right again from Mayweather caught Hatton and he was cut by his right eye.
As people predicted, Mayweathere's slashing punches caused the damage and cuts man Mick Williamson was quickly called into action. Hatton was unperturbed as he came out for the fourth and pinned back Mayweather in his own corner.
It was probably the round in which Hatton landed more punches but the more damaging stuff was coming from Mayweather.
In the fifth, Mayweather concentrated on having a breather and being more elusive.
In the sixth, the referee deducted a point from Hatton for hitting on the back of the head to the fury of the British fans. TV replays showed the punch did not even land.
Hatton was so upset by the referee's decision he turned round and bent his backside in Mayweather's direction and then resumed the action.
Going into the seventh was when Hatton thought his fitness levels would start to tell but Mayweather was covering up well from the onslaught with a lot of punches flying over the back of the American.
Four terrific rights rattled Hatton in the eighth and his knees buckled under the volley of shots. But somehow Hatton stayed upright as the referee looked ready to step in.
But the fight ended in the 10th with a terrific left hook from Mayweather had Hatton reeling and then the champion clinically finished the fight after 1min 35secs of the round.
Somebody's had to go and Hatton's disappeared down the plughole but he can still continue to bathe in the admiration of his fans.
One defeat against the best doesn't wipe out a reputaion. A loss doesn't kill off a career or rub away fondness.
A victory would have ranked Manchester's 29-year-old Hatton in the exalted company of truly astounding British wins, such as Randolph Turpin overcoming the maestro Sugar Ray Robinson and Lloyd Honeyghan going to the States to batter Don Curry from his top tier.
But his name is already, and rightly, listed in the British records and roll of honour. His win over Kostya Tszyu can never be erased and there will still be money-making opportunities out there for him.
Hatton, accompanied by the brass band that follows the England football team, planned to strike a high note to compensate for all the recent miserable competition soccer failures.
Watched by his parents, brother and girlfriend - and anybody else who could pay, beg, steal or borrow a coveted 'I was there' ticket - he found himself in a different league to the three opponents he has faced in the States over the previous 20 months.
Luis Collazo, Juan Urango and Jose Luis Castillo do not swim in the same sea as Mayweather. Tears and sympathy for Mayweather have always been in short supply.
His boasts of supremacy grate on the public and he deludes himself by claiming he matches the appeal of Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard.
All the million-dollar bling that Mayweather postures around in has given him an irritating profile.
There is a queue of people who wish to be there when he falls. They love to hate him.
They will have to carry on doing so. But the British fans will continue to love Hatton.
__________________________________________________ ___
KHAN GOES FOR NAZ RECORD
BIRTHDAY BOY Amir Khan took just 72 seconds to thrash Graham Earl then roared "I'd fight for a world title tomorrow."
After 14 victories in his previous 14 professional fights this was billed as the sternest examination of Khan's abilities yet.
But Khan passed with flying colours to celebrate his 21st birthday in style and retain his Commonwealth lightweight championship in a packed Bolton Arena.
And he swiftly repeated his desire to become a world champion at a younger age than Britain's youngest ever world champ Naseem Hamed — which gives him a July 25 deadline.
A shot at British champion Jon Thaxton looks on the cards next but Khan insisted: "I'd fight for a world title tomorrow. I can do it before Naz."
Roared on by Ryan Giggs, Darren Campbell and Andy Johnson, Khan wasted no time in destroying his opponent.
After landing a couple of solid left-handers, Khan rocked Earl with a right hook as the Luton man tried in vain to attack.
Then two huge left hooks, the first of which clearly had Earl reeling, put the 29-year-old on the canvas for a standing eight-count.
Khan was not about to back off and having cornered Earl, referee Howard Foster had seen enough after another flurry of hits. It was a string of massive blows to which Earl, who had won 25 of his previous 27 fights, simply had no response.
Khan added: "His right hand was dropping every time he came in.
"I've seen it in his eyes that he didn't want anything. No disrespect, he's a great fighter, he's held the British title. So to beat someone like that is great."
And promoter Frank Warren added: "I never expected that. I thought this would be tough.
"Will he beat Naz's record? We'll see after his next one."
And despite taking a battering, Earl insisted the fight was stopped too early. He sighed: "He's a good young talent but you can't do him any favours by coming in and stopping it like that.
"My head was clear and the referee shouldn't jump in like that.
"I'd taken a few hits but it's boxing — you can't go in the water and not get wet."
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