Going undefeated for 10 years, former world champion Ricky Hatton is considered a true legend of the sport.
‘The Hitman’ was known for his crushing bodywork, as well as great finishing ability.
Among his 45 wins, 32 came by way of knockout, with even the best fighters succumbing to Hatton’s finishing ability.
Hatton’s resume includes names such as Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Paul Malignaggi before retiring in 2012.
Although Hatton had plenty of fantastic performances, one of his best came in a world super lightweight title unification fight.
Ricky Hatton scored a brutal knockout in 2005
In November of 2005, Hatton would face Carlos Maussa, as he looked to unify the Ring, IBF, and WBA World Super Lightweight titles.
Maussa was a Columbian fighter, who went into his bout with Hatton with a record of 20-2. The pair would fight in the Sheffield Arena as Hatton looked to extend his unbeaten record to 40-0.
It would be an incredible performance from Hatton, who was the better fighter throughout the bout. In the ninth round, he was able to round off his excellent showcase with an almighty knockout.
With just over a minute left in the round, a swooping left hook from Hatton would catch Maussa, who was leaning back. The blow shook the Columbian’s head before the fighter crumbled to the ground.
The brutal knockout would see Hatton unify the division’s titles, helping him to secure his legacy.
Ricky Hatton’s unbeaten record was broken by Floyd Mayweather
After his Maussa performance, ‘The Hitman’ would go on to win his next three fights, including the toughest fight of Hatton’s career, setting up a welterweight title opportunity.
Taking on Mayweather, the champion was then the holder of the WBC and Ring World Welterweight titles.
However, just over 10 years after making his debut, Hatton tasted defeat for the first time in his career. After a largely one-sided performance, Mayweather would get a stoppage victory in round 10 of 12.
The second loss of Hatton’s career would come to another legend, losing to Pacquiao in 2009. Pacquiao had a brutal knockout over Hatton, in what would be the second-last fight of his career.
However, in 2012, Hatton would hang up the gloves after his third and final loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester.