Hatton surprised by Marquez’ size

MANILA, Philippines - It was Manny Pacquiao’s knockout victim Ricky Hatton on the line, calling from Hong Kong the other day and the Manchester Hitman expressed surprise at Juan Manuel Marquez’ power in scoring a one-punch disposal of the Filipino ring icon in Las Vegas last weekend.

Hatton got on the phone after Filipino promoter Aljoe Jaro dialled The Star. They were both involved with Hong Kong impressario Jay Lau of DEF Boxing to produce an 8-fight card at the Convention Towers and Exhibition Center in the former British Crown Colony last Tuesday.

“I was surprised how big (Marquez) was,” said Hatton.  “He was extremely big. I don’t think it was a lucky punch that hit Manny. Marquez waited for his chance. It was a perfect punch. Manny got careless coming in and Marquez took advantage of the opportunity. Manny was winning the fight when it happened. I thought he did well until the knockout. He was quick, strong and looked impressive.”

Hatton, 34, said it might’ve been Marquez on the canvas if Manny held on. “Can Manny come back?” continued Hatton. “Of course, he can. I don’t see signs of slowing down. But what else does he need to prove? He’s a 10-time world champion in eight divisions, nobody can top that. I saw how heartbroken his wife was when he went down. Maybe, he should consider giving it up while he’s still physically fit and on top of his game. You don’t want to go out with your senses shaken up. It’s his decision. It really depends on his goals, how he feels.”

In his case, Hatton took a three-year rest after losing to Pacquiao by knockout then came back only to be stopped by Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Senchenko last November. Hatton was ahead on the three judges’ scorecards when the end came. He announced his retirement with finality after the setback. During the three-year hiatus, Hatton battled fits of depression, took drugs and even attempted suicide.

“Everybody is different,” said Hatton. “Manny isn’t me. I couldn’t tell him what to do. My advice is to think of his family and kids. It’s always a hard decision to quit boxing but Manny should do what will make him and his family happy.”

Hatton said he’s open to visiting Manila particularly as now, his promotions outfit has reached out to Asia-Pacific. “I’ve got about 30 fighters in my stable,” said Hatton. “Our Hong Kong show was a major success. At the moment, we have no plans of staging a show in Manila but we’re considering the possibility. We’ve got fighters from Australia, Kazakhstan and England ready to go anywhere in the world.”

In the Hong Kong promotion, three Hatton fighters posted resounding wins – Australian 6-4 heavyweight Lucas (Big Daddy) Browne, 33, halted Jason Gavern to raise his record to 14-0, with 13 KOs, Australian Olympian lightmiddleweight Cameron Hammond, 23, outpointed China’s Zhi Xiang Jiang and Kazakhstan bantamweight Zhanat Zhakiyanov stopped Indonesia’s Erick Diaz Siregar. Two Filipinos weren’t as lucky in the bill – Roldan Bullong was decisioned by Nepal’s Sures Gurung and Randy Megrino lost a split decision to Thailand’s Ekapol Yothinpanawet.  Filipinos Bruce McTavish and Ferdie Estrella were among the referees and judges who were assigned to work that night.

Jaro, who manages former WBC flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro and WBC No. 1 minimumweight contender Denver Cuello, said he’s negotiating with Hatton and Lau to produce an international card in Manila next year. Jaro’s protégé Rex Tso, 26, headlined the Hong Kong show and halted Kyrgyzstan’s Timur Shailezov for the vacant WBC Asia Council Continental superflyweight title. Tso, a Hong Kong favorite, trained 1 1/2 months in Jaro’s Binangonan gym for the fight. His record is now 8-0, with 5 KOs.

Lau said Hatton was mobbed by Hong Kong fans during his visit. “We brought in about 1,750 for the show and that’s a big crowd for us,” he said. “Ricky made it a success. He’s very popular with the English community in Hong Kong and the locals also recognize his achievements as a fighter. We’re excited to bring Ricky to the Philippines and hope we can promote a big card in Manila soon.”

Hatton turned pro in 1997 and compiled a 45-3 record, with 32 KOs. His only losses were to Floyd Mayweather, Jr, Pacquiao and Senchenko, all inside the distance. His last win was an 11th round knockout over Paul Malignaggi, now the WBA welterweight champion, in 2008.  Hatton’s most devastating loss was when he was knocked out cold by a single blow from Pacquiao at 2:59 of the second round in 2009. Coincidentally, Pacquiao was knocked out cold by a single shot from Marquez, also at the 2:59 mark of the sixth last Saturday.  In both fights, the referee didn’t bother to count.