Originally posted by *AKO PA HA!
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Goodbye '00s: A Salute to the 20 Greatest Fighters of the Decade
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1. Matthew Hatton (37-4-2, 14 KO's)
Biography
Hatton was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England to Ray and Carol. Before becoming a professional boxer, Hatton worked for the family carpet business as a carpet fitter. He and his girlfriend Jenna Coyne have a son named Jack, who was born in 2006. Unlike his brother Ricky, dad Ray, and the majority of his family who are supporters of Manchester City, Matthew supports Manchester United.[3]
[edit] Amateur
Hatton began boxing at the age of 12,[4] and had 22 amateur contests, winning 18.
[edit] Professional Boxing Career
Hatton's career as a professional boxer began in late 2000 with a point's victory over David White, on the undercard of brother Ricky's fight with Giuseppe Lauri. Hatton was undefeated in his first 13 fights before a point's loss to journeyman David Kirk in 2003. In 2004, Hatton went on to defeat Robert Burton to win the British Central Area welterweight title, and six months later defeated the same man to claim the light middleweight version of the title.
[edit] British Title
On 20 October, 2006, Hatton was disqualified for low blows in the tenth and final round of a British Welterweight title eliminator against Alan Bosworth. Victory may well have given Hatton a shot at the British Welterweight title which was held at the time by Scottish boxer Kevin Anderson.
In 2007, Hatton won the IBF International welterweight title by defeating American Frank Houghtaling, and in his next fight defeated Puerto Rican Edwin Vazquez to win the IBF Inter-Continental title. Both fights were held in Las Vegas, Nevada on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's fights with Juan Urango and Jose Luis Castillo.
[edit] Commonwealth Title
On 28 May, 2008, Hatton lost to Craig Watson on a points decision with scores of 116-112, 117-112 and 118-111 in a challenge for the Commonwealth welterweight championship.[5] The fight was held at the City of Manchester Stadium on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's fight with Juan Lazcano.
A short time after his loss to Watson, Hatton decided to leave long-time trainer Billy Graham and his Phoenix Camp Gym. Hatton would go on to be trained at Bobby Rimmer's Boxing Academy based in Stalybridge under the guidance of Lee Beard, who is also assistant trainer to Ricky Hatton.[6]
[edit] Hatton vs. Ben Tackie
Hatton fought former World title challenger Ben Tackie on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's fight with Paul Malignaggi at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on 22 November, 2008. Tackie was defeated by Ricky Hatton over 12 rounds in December 2003. Hatton defeated Tackie via a convincing unanimous decision with scores of 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 in a performance which has been described as the best of his career.[7]
[edit] Hatton vs. Bami
On 28 March, 2009, Hatton defeated Ted Bami via a 6th round stoppage in an eliminator for the IBO welterweight Title.[8]
[edit] Hatton vs. Judah
Hatton was scheduled to fight Zab Judah on September 19, 2009 at the MGM Grand arena in a welterweight bout as part of the undercard of the Mayweather-Marquez fight. [9] This fight was postponed due to the main bout being postponed owing to a rib injury to Mayweather. Instead Hatton fought Lovemore N'dou for the IBO Welterweight title at Fenton Manor in Stoke-on-Trent on Novermber 13, 2009, the contest was scored a draw.[10]
Hatton vs. Mayweather
British daily newspaper The Sun reported on 30 December 2009 that Hatton could face Floyd Mayweather Jr in a shock fight after Mayweathers proposed fight against Manny Pacquiao looked like it would not go ahead.[11]
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