Matthew Hatton vs. Roberto Belge RBR

OK, this one is actually happening (after the disappointing blackout of Hasegawa-Burgos this morning).

Sky Sports is showing the hype pieces and the boxers are having their gloves taped up. The ring walks should be up very soon.

Sidebar: Ricky looks fit!!!! :shock: He's wearing a loose white dress shirt that actually looks a size too big on him - he must be down near fighting weight!

 

Belge is already in the ring.

Hatton trots out to "You're the Best Around!"

 

Round 1

They immediately clasp together with Belge's head slamming into Hatton's left pec, with a jab whizzing by him. They split and begin to circle and jab, with Hatton landing his more sharply. Belge's is sort of stuffed up into Hatton's face, usually in pairs or triplets but slow and telegraphed and not that straight. Belge takes flush hooks off the Hatton jab and some right crosses mixed in; one stuns him badly and he totters on one foot before regaining his balance. Belge throws his own right hand too high and wide and doesn't touch any scoring area with it. Belge clinches up and slaps Hatton on the inside. Hatton is stronger in the clinch as on the outside and shakes him around before releasing him. Hatton drives the Swissman to the ropes with a pair of right hands, then controls the final moments with his jab.

10-9 Hatton

 

Round 2

Belge rushes in and tries to smother Hatton but is shoved off and countered on the separation. Hatton is warned for nodding his big noggin down into Belge's face in the clinches. Hatton lands nicely from range with jabs and right hands but winds up getting grabbed when he gets in close. Belge keeps firing his meandering right hands and going well wide left of Hatton's head. Hatton comes forward pressuring with his elbows pointed out and his gloves at his face, blocking just about anything Belge doesn't miss.

20-18 Hatton

 

Round 3

Belge looses soft little flurries on the way into clinches and Hatton simply covers up and waits for him to finish and then pushes him away hard. Hatton blasts him from mid-range on the way in and out and Belge is KTFO with a left hook to the body!!!

 

Honestly, for all the poking fun that people do Matthew Hatton is a decent boxer...a solid B to B+, maybe just shy of world-class.

That was a very nice liver punch.

 

Promoter Ricky Hatton says that matching his brother against Junior Witter is a very real possibility, perhaps after a mandatory.

 

Witter says Hatton "struggled because he was trying too hard" before ultimately giving him credit for getting the job done. :blood

He says he's got the speed and skill to win, and that it would be a good fight.

His next date is either going to be on the Pascal-Hopkins undercard or in January.

He says he's still hungry for a world championship and that he sees Matthew as an opportunity to exploit.

 

Martin Murray vs. Carlos Nascimento, middleweights

Round 1

Murray drops a jab down the middle through Nascimento's guard, then digs a few hooks to the body...circling close and boxing well. Nascimento keeps winging straight combos, headhunting but a bit uncoordinated. Murray is much sharper and more accurate as he keeps Nascimento turning. Nascimento weaves a bit, but Murray just holds off and waits for him to stand still before getting back into his jabbing rhythm. Nascimento tries to fake Murray out with looping overhand rights and then go quickly to the body with his left. Murray is too quick and aware to fall for it and makes Nascimento miss the whole lot. Murray walks himself into the ropes and covers up, while Nascimento unloads on his gloves.

10-9 Murray