Matthew Hatton

Matthew Hatton
Hatton in 2010
Statistics
Real name	Matthew James Hatton
Nickname(s)	Magic
Rated at	Welterweight Light-middleweight
Height	5 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (174 cm)
Nationality	British
Born	15 May 1981 Stockport, Greater Manchester, England
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	52
Wins	43
Wins by KO	17
Losses	7
Draws	2

Matthew James "Matty" Hatton (born 15 May 1981) is a British former professional boxer who held the European welterweight title, challenged once for the Commonwealth welterweight title, and once for the WBC light-middleweight title. He is the younger brother of former world champion Ricky Hatton, and fought on the undercard of many of Ricky's biggest fights. In November 2008, Matthew was ranked number 38^[1] in the world and number 6^[2] in the UK at welterweight by BoxRec.

Biography

Hatton was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England to Ray and Carol. Before becoming a professional boxer, Hatton worked for the family carpet business as a carpet fitter. He and his girlfriend Jenna Coyne have a son named Jack, who was born in 2006. Unlike his brother Ricky, dad Ray, and the majority of his family who are supporters of Manchester City, Matthew supports Manchester United.^[3]

Amateur

Hatton began boxing at the age of 12,^[4] and had 22 amateur contests, winning 18.

Professional boxing career

Hatton's career as a professional boxer began in late 2000 with a point's victory over David White, on the undercard of brother Ricky's fight with Giuseppe Lauri. Hatton was undefeated in his first 13 fights before a point's loss to journeyman David Kirk in 2003. In 2004, Hatton went on to defeat Robert Burton to win the British Central Area welterweight title, and six months later defeated the same man to claim the light middleweight version of the title.

British Title

On 20 October 2006, Hatton was disqualified for low blows in the tenth and final round of a British Welterweight title eliminator against Alan Bosworth. Victory may well have given Hatton a shot at the British Welterweight title which was held at the time by Scottish boxer Kevin Anderson.

In 2007, Hatton won the IBF International welterweight title by defeating American Frank Houghtaling, and in his next fight defeated Puerto Rican Edwin Vazquez to win the IBF Inter-Continental title. Both fights were held in Las Vegas, Nevada on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's fights with Juan Urango and José Luis Castillo.

Commonwealth Title

On 28 May 2008, Hatton lost to Craig Watson on a points decision with scores of 116–112, 117–112 and 118–111 in a challenge for the Commonwealth welterweight championship.^[5] The fight was held at the City of Manchester Stadium on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's fight with Juan Lazcano.

A short time after his loss to Watson, Hatton decided to leave long-time trainer Billy Graham and his Phoenix Camp Gym. Hatton would go on to be trained at Bobby Rimmer's Boxing Academy based in Stalybridge under the guidance of Lee Beard, who is also assistant trainer to Ricky Hatton.^[6]

Hatton vs. Ben Tackie

Hatton fought former World title challenger Ben Tackie on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's fight with Paul Malignaggi at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on 22 November 2008. Tackie was defeated by Matthew Hatton over 12 rounds in December 2003. Hatton defeated Tackie via a convincing unanimous decision with scores of 98–92, 98–92 and 97–93 in a performance which has been described as the best of his career.^[7]

Hatton vs. Bami

On 28 March 2009, Hatton defeated Ted Bami via a 6th round stoppage in an eliminator for the IBO welterweight Title.^[8]

Hatton vs. N'dou

Hatton was scheduled to fight Zab Judah on 19 September 2009 at the MGM Grand arena in a welterweight bout as part of the undercard of the Mayweather-Marquez fight.^[9] This fight was postponed due to the main bout being postponed owing to a rib injury to Mayweather. Instead Hatton fought Lovemore N'dou for the IBO Welterweight title at Fenton Manor in Stoke-on-Trent on 13 November 2009, the contest was scored a draw.^[10]

Hatton vs. Branco

Hatton claimed the vacant European welterweight title with a unanimous points win over Gianluca Branco in Dagenham on 26 March 2010. Branco, having only lost twice previous to this fight (against Arturo Gatti & Miguel Cotto), came into the fight as Hatton's toughest test to date. Branco caught Hatton with a right hand in the first round which seemed to have him hurt, but Hatton overcame it and went on to claim the decision, allowing him to fully escape older brother Ricky's shadow and become "The European Welterweight Champion Of The World".

Hatton vs. Álvarez

In March 2011, Hatton lost to Saúl Álvarez in a bid for the WBC light-middleweight title. The bigger and stronger Alvarez was docked a point in round seven ultimately leading to all three judges scoring the bout at 119–108 in favor of Alvarez.^[11]

Hatton vs Brook

In March 2012, Hatton lost to undefeated Kell Brook in an all-British clash at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield. The quicker, more technically astute Brook outclassed Hatton over 12 rounds, and won the fight via a Unanimous Decision.

Hatton vs Lomax

In October 2012, Hatton won a 1st round knockout to journeyman Michael Lomax. It was a comeback bout after his disappointing defeat to Kell Brook, and a determined Hatton took the fight easily.

Hatton vs Van Heerden

In his first fight of the year in February 2013, Hatton lost a unanimous decision to IBO Welterweight champion Chris Van Heerden. The South African outclassed him throughout with a smarter skillset that may have shattered future title hopes for the British boxer.

Championships held

• IBF Inter-Continental Welterweight title
• IBF International Welterweight title
• British Central Area Welterweight title
• British Central Area Light-Middleweight title
• European Welterweight title

Professional boxing record

See also

• Ricky Hatton
• List of European Boxing Union welterweight champions

External links

• Professional boxing record for Matthew Hatton from BoxRec
• Matthew Hatton profile from Ricky Hatton's official website

References

1. "World active welterweight ratings". www.boxrec.com. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
2. "United Kingdom active welterweight ratings". www.boxrec.com. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
3. "Hatton Jr in a hurry". www.skysports.com. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
4. "Matthew Hatton Interview". www.cnpprofessional.co.uk. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
5. "Elementary for Watson". www.skysports.com. 2008-05-25. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
6. "Hatton splits with Billy Graham". www.livefight.com. 2008-07-11. Archived from the original on 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
7. "Matthew mirrors Hitman's win". www.skysports.com. 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
8. "Hatton beats Bami". Manchester Evening News. 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
9. "Magic Man handed Judah shot". Sky Sports. 22 May 2009.
10. "Hatton held by N'dou in IBO bid". BBC News. 13 November 2009.
11. Blake, Brian O. "20 Year Old Saul Alvarez Defeats Matthew Hatton to Become WBC Junior Middleweight Champion". Breaking News. Sports Betting World. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
12. Matthew Hatton - Boxer