Pacquiao's TKO victim Hatton: I lost to a terrific fighter

MANILA, Philippines – Ricky Hatton was upset at the way he fought Manny Pacquiao, but he didn’t mind losing to a fighter whom he referred to as “terrific."

The day after absorbing his first defeat – and worst overall – as a junior welterweight, Hatton readily extended apology to his throng of British fans who expected him to overrun the less stronger Pacquiao.

Unfortunately, the 30-year-old Englishman only lasted two rounds with the Filipino, who knocked him out cold on his back behind a solid left hook to the jaw.

“I am desperately sorry for all my fans who came over and everyone who watched on TV," he said. “It’s really tough to take this defeat, very hard."

Lawyer Garreth Williams, head of Hatton Promotions, admitted how down the Manchester native was following the humbling setback.

“He was in a somber mood. I have never seen that side of Ricky before," said Williams.

Proof that he was taking the loss personally, Hatton didn’t show up in the post-fight party in honor of him. A known boozer, the former light-welterweight champion only had a beer when he attended a pool party with his fiancée, close family and friends, and then went straight to bed.

“He is very, very upset about the fight," Williams added.

But Hatton had nothing but praise for his Filipino tormentor.

“I didn’t see the punch coming. But it was a great shot," he said of Pacquiao’s lethal left hook that all but ended his unbeaten reign as junior welterweight king.

“I congratulate Manny. He is a terrific fighter."

Hatton is 45-2, with 32 KOs. His only other defeat came at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2007 bout fought at the 147-pound division.

The devastating loss forced trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and to some extent his father, Ray Hatton, for the “Hitman" to finally call it quits.

Ricky Hatton however, has yet to decide about his future.

“At this moment, he has probably got a few mixed feelings about it. But he’ll make that decision, whichever way he wants to, and the family will support him," Ray Hatton said. –GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/159796/Pacquiaos-TKO-victim-Hatton-I-lost-to-a-terrific-fighter

Social Bookmarking