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Home » Ricky Hatton aims banter at Floyd Mayweather ref on tenth anniversary

Ricky Hatton aims banter at Floyd Mayweather ref on tenth anniversary

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  • 3 min read

Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton had some choice tongue-in-cheek words for Joe Cortez ten years on from losing his ‘0’ in Las Vegas.

Hatton, like Mayweather, took an impressive unblemished record into the fight. Labelled ‘Undefeated’, Mayweather v Hatton took place at the MGM Grand.

The Pay-Per-View blockbuster was viewed as a winnable task for Hatton at the time, as Mayweather wasn’t yet at the peak of his powers.

Mayweather had just shocked an aging Oscar De La Hoya via split decision to take over the mantle of boxing’s top PPV star.

Coming into the contest, Hatton’s chances were solely down to the Briton squeezing the space and working Mayweather on the inside.

Key to this would be referee Cortez, who at the time chosen for the bout by Mayweather and his team.

From the very beginning, it was clear Cortez would not allow Hatton do his usual work up close. Meaning Hatton’s tactics were completely derailed from the off.

Cortez constantly split the pair apart and left Hatton exposed to Mayweather’s awesome combinations. Ultimately, Mayweather was able to get the late stoppage.

Still somewhat rankled by what transpired, Hatton let his feelings be known on the decade-long anniversary.

mayweather hatton 2009 GBP

BANTER

“On this day, 8th of December 2007 – 10 years ago. I boxed Floyd Mayweather for the welterweight world title. Losing on a tenth round stoppage with some absolutely atrocious officiating from this pr***!” said Hatton.



A short time on, Hatton posted a picture of the fight with the words, ‘stop hitting my mate’ coming out of the mouth of Cortez.

“It’s only banter. A long time ago but the tool still has to have it,” concluded the ‘Hitman’.

Many Brits believed Hatton had Mayweather’s number provided he was allowed to deploy his usual style. Whilst Mayweather improved to 39-0 with the triumph.

Eighteen months later, Hatton would lose in devastating fashion to Manny Pacquiao.

Returning three years on from suffering depression after the Pacquiao knockout, Hatton retired following a reverse to Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012.