Hatton hammers Malignaggi

Ricky Hatton continued his unbeaten run at light-welterweight by outclassing Paulie Malignaggi with an 11th-round stoppage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Hatton, breaking from his trademark brawling style in his first fight under new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr, looked a different class against the slick but light-punching Malignaggi.

The victory took Hatton's professional record to 45-1 (32 KOs) in the same ring he had suffered his only defeat almost a year earlier, a 10th round stoppage by Floyd Mayweather Jr at welterweight.

Hatton had promised a more measured approach than had been seen in his recent fights and that certainly seemed the case in the opening round as the Englishman eased back on his bulldozing go forward style.

Hatton was more aggressive in the second round and had Malignaggi in trouble in the final minute, landing a big right hook that had the New Yorker hanging on to his rival.

Malignaggi tried to take the initiative in the third round as he went after Hatton but 'the Hitman' landed a big left hook in the closing 30 seconds that had the crowd on its feet. The start of the fourth was delayed as Hatton's corner made running repairs to their fighter's right glove.

But Hatton was soon back in control and caught the American with a straight left that caught his man on the nose and rocked back his head. The fifth was a more cagey affair but Hatton was back in business in the sixth, landing with the left again.

Hatton went on the offensive once more in the eighth and another straight left had Malignaggi in trouble as he appeared to wobble under the force, again reaching out to Hatton's waist as if to use his rival to stay upright.

Hatton began the ninth with another big left, this time a hook, and though Malignaggi was willing there was as yet no indication that he was on the brink of dealing Hatton a decisive blow. As the bell sounded at the end of the 10th it was Hatton who cut a far more positive figure returning to his stool.

And 28 seconds into 11th round, with Hatton once more displaying all the aggression, Malignaggi's trainer Buddy McGirt climbed onto the ring apron and referee Kenny Bayless called a halt to proceedings, much to the American's annoyance.