Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera LIVE: Fight reaction and undercard results after Natasha Jonas and Frazer Clarke wins
Ricky ‘The Hitman’ faced Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition in Manchester 10 years after retiring
Ricky Hatton added to his famous story with one final dance in Manchester as the legendary British fighter shared eight rounds with Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. The Hitman maintains the bout enabled him to transform his lifestyle, lose weight and gain a better grasp of his mental health.
With no judges for the exhibition, the pair, friends away from the ring, embraced to much fanfare from those in attendance. The famous band and iconic songs immediately showered Hatton after his Blue Moon ring walk.
And Hatton displayed neat skills and a surprising amount of venom in his punches, while Barrera gave as good as he got, bruising up Hatton’s right cheek with both men retaining a degree of honesty despite an obvious lack of mean intentions compared to their spiteful days as professionals while competing for world titles.
Hatton was thrilled by the result: “Everything and more, I wondered how it would go, we're friends, but we're proud men. I thought it might be heated, it was good and entertaining, everything we wanted. When I won my world title here, my fights in Vegas, brilliant, I’ve done so many things, but this is up there with the best.”
Natasha Jonas won the world title earlier in the evening, edging out Marie Eve Dicaire on points to spark conversation over a super fight in 2023.
Natasha Jonas vs Marie-Eve Dicaire
Natasha Jonas vs Marie-Eve Dicaire is coming up next, here are the ring walks...
The IBF, WBC and WBO titles at 154 lbs are on the line here.
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
Smith: “I’ll take a big fight at a time, I’ve had a busy year, I felt a bit flat, respect to Kaisee, he’s a very good fighter.
“You can’t stick it on people all the time, I had to use my boxing ability.”
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
Smith: “I couldn’t push the pace, I had a chest infection last week, my Dad nearly pulled me out.
“These are the fights that make you world champions, you can’t always have it all in your favour.
“I didn’t train all week. I will show how good I can box.”
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
115-114, 117-112, 116-113 all in favour of Dalton Smith.
The Sheffield man retains his British title.
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
That’s it, Smith lifted up by his corner as if they know they have the win.
A big straight right in the 12th and Benjamin skipped back and only just rolled with the left hook that followed.
A good win but a fight that never really opened up fully.
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
It’s the end of the 11th and Smith looks like he’s done enough to take this.
Benjamin being urged to go for the stoppage now by his corner.
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
Do Benjamin’s legs buckle there?
He beats his chest after taking a lovely combination in the 10th.
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
Left to the body and then a big right upstairs, Benjamin capturing momentum and on top again in the ninth.
Smith trapped on the ropes again, that’s a Benjamin round.
Natasha Jonas vs Marie-Eve Dicaire is next of course...
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
A telling off for Dalton Smith and Kaisee Benjamin, a clash of heads upsetting the referee.
Benjamin with some good inside work, beating Smith to the punch in the eighth.
Another lead right from Benjamin, this could be his round after so many close ones that many seem to be leaning towards Smith.
Dalton Smith vs Kaisee Benjamin
Anthony Crolla: “It’s a tight fight, I have Dalton pulling away, there’s not much in it. The extra volume and cleaner work from Dalton.
“But Kaisee is a very good fighter. I feel like Kaisee has to land something big.
“It’s got to be educated pressure.”
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