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A fantastic combination has set the stage for unified junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton's journey to America. A year ago, undefeated Ricky Hatton (40-0, 30KOs) was viewed as the fighter least likely to dethrone junior welterweight king Kostya Tszyu. Most experts saw the bout as an easy victory for Tszyu, and the wheels were already in motion for Tszyu rematch with welterweight champion Zab Judah.
While most fans and pundits were focusing on the likes of Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto, the England bred fighter turned the entire weight class upside down with a single victory. Hatton's eleven round stoppage over Tszyu sent a shockwave throughout the sport. The whole sport was talking about Tszyu facing Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather and Judah. There were few in the sport that envisioned a dominating stoppage win in favor of Hatton.
Hatton was regarded as a decently skilled fighter who was susceptible to cuts and facial swelling. Tszyu was one of the hardest punchers in the sport, which most saw as the deciding factor in the fight. Unexpectedly for Tszyu, Hatton was able to stand up to his punches and did not suffer any facial damage during the course of the fight. [details]
While most fans and pundits were focusing on the likes of Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto, the England bred fighter turned the entire weight class upside down with a single victory. Hatton's eleven round stoppage over Tszyu sent a shockwave throughout the sport. The whole sport was talking about Tszyu facing Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather and Judah. There were few in the sport that envisioned a dominating stoppage win in favor of Hatton.
Hatton was regarded as a decently skilled fighter who was susceptible to cuts and facial swelling. Tszyu was one of the hardest punchers in the sport, which most saw as the deciding factor in the fight. Unexpectedly for Tszyu, Hatton was able to stand up to his punches and did not suffer any facial damage during the course of the fight. [details]