USA: Ricky Hatton defeats Juan Urango to take title for IBF light welterweight championship

Ricky Hatton scored a unanimous decision over Juan Urango to win the International Boxing Federation light welterweight championship in Las Vegas on Saturday (January 20). All three judges scored the bout 119-109 but the fight was far from easy for the Manchester-based "Hitman." Urango, the powerfully-built defending champion from Colombia, never looked in serious trouble from the Englishman's punches and stung Hatton with some solid counters. But Hatton showed vastly superior footwork and hand speed, and piled up points by landing one or two shots and then floating away from danger. "He's a wonderful fighter, very strong, and he kept coming," said Hatton, who strayed from his usual all-out brawling style to show more craft against Urango. "I think I showed another side to my game tonight that I can not only mix it up and brawl, I know when to hold and and have a rest and survive," he said. "I think I showed a side to me, certainly in the first six rounds, that I've got a boxing brain, I've got some good boxing ability as well as the rough and tumble stuff." It was the first defeat for Urango, who falls to 17-1 (13 KOs). Hatton remains unbeaten at 42-0 (30 KOs). It was the fourth world title belt in as many fights for Hatton, who previously won the IBF light welterweight title in May 2005 and added the World Boxing Association belt six months later. He relinquished both when he stepped up to welterweight in a successful challenge of WBA champion Luis Collazo last May. Hatton's next bout will also be in Las Vegas, on June 2, against former world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico, who scored a close split decision victory over previously unbeaten Herman Ngoudjo in the main supporting bout.

ITN Source | January 21, 2007

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