December 8, 2007. The promoters called it "Undefeated", the greatest welterweight boxing match of all time. Some even say it surpassed the epic match between Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad.

It was a magnificent display of pugilism. Hatton was the dominant force in the early rounds, chasing down Mayweather aggressively - although the Pretty Boy was scored by judges to have landed the cleaner blows. The Hit Man’s aggressive semi-brawl style of fighting upset the rhythm of Mayweather, but the American still scored clean hits on Hatton, including opening a cut on his eye in round three.

In round six, referee Joe Cortez deducted a point from Hatton’s scorecard as he appeared to hit Mayweather on the back of the head while on the ropes. Ricky was visibly upset with the decision and it proved to be the turning point of the match. He would later admit that he was angry with Cortez and lost his calm.

'Hatton's aggressive style of boxing was said by many to be tailor-made to defeat Mayweather, but that was emphatically proved wrong'


In rounds eight and nine Mayweather was the superior combatant, landing many clean punches. Throughout the fight the Pretty Boy’s defensive wall was outstanding.

In round 10 Mayweather landed a clean hit that knocked Hatton down. He was up again on the count of eight, but Mayweather pressed the assault and moments later Cortez called a halt to the fight as Hatton’s corner threw in the towel.

It was Hatton’s first and only professional defeat, technically knocked out by a punch referred to by Mayweather as the check hook. The cocky clubber also called it "the greatest punch in the annals of boxing folklore".

Ricky Hatton, the Pride of Hyde, is technically winding down his career with a fight scheduled later this year against Mexican Juan Lazcano, as a thank-you to all his fans in Manchester, a venue he has not fought at for three years. The Hispanic causing panic is a fine boxer, but not in the class of Money Mayweather, as he is unaffectionately known.

Ricky Fatton is not the consummate boxer of some of his peers. He likes his big English breakfasts and his Guinness. It is this less-than-ideal approach that has led many to speculate why his performance doesn't last deep into a protracted match.

Floyd Mayweather Jnr, winner of six world championships at five different weight classes will go down in history as one of the greatest boxers the world has ever seen. The current WBC welterweight champion has a professional record of 39-0.

While he is defensively-minded, he is one of the cleanest hitters in the squared circle. Mayweather is preparing for a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya in what will be billed as one of the great repeats of all time.

Hatton, the working-class hero, will go down in boxing folklore as one of the greatest boxers ever produced by Britain, alongside legends such as Lennox Lewis and Ken Buchanan. But many argue that, outside the Pretty Boy, he has not continually fought big-name boxers.

Mayweather has fought elite boxers such as De La Hoya, Carlos Baldomir and Arturo Gatti. His orthodox shoulder roll style of boxing is considered not aggressive enough for the more bloodthirsty pundits of the sport, but it is this style that led to his Pretty Boy nickname as he rarely will ever field a cut or a bruise on his face.

Hatton’s aggressive style of boxing, also orthodox, was said by many to be tailor-made to defeat Mayweather. But that was emphatically proved wrong as the back-foot defensive style of Mayweather took the sting out of all of Hatton’s early trademark aggression before taking control.

Hatton’s best chance in any rematch between the two would be to knuckle down and prepare for the next 12 months - but he won't do that. He will instead no doubt add 30-40 pounds on his frame before embarking on a trademark 12-week cutdown schedule. Mayweather, meanwhile, will prepare for his De La Hoya rematch - an equally elegant fighter who, despite his age, will be a decent challenge for him.

If Hatton-Mayweather II does go ahead - no doubt with a combined $100million paycheck to both fighters - Mayweather will put his mouth and fists on the line to again take out Hatton. If the Hit Man doesn't knock down his opponent early, the game will be over.

I think the only boxer capable of defeating Mayweather is Miguel Angel Cotto, the WBA welterweight champion. But good luck to sentimental favorite Hatton if the rematch takes place.