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.
Ricky Hatton reacts after exhibition bout against Marco Antonio Barrera
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.”
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
Hatton with a gorgeous right in the final round.
Another chopping right, Barrera back with an impressive combination.
Both men let their hands go as the bell sounds, they hug, a moment of class and sportsmanship after that exhibition.
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
Into the seventh round then...
A flick of a jab and then Hatton goes through his full arsenal of shots.
Straight right now as Barrera ducks away. Hatton’s body is vulnerable to those straight counters from the Mexican.
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
Hatton and Barrera wrestling a touch in the sixth.
Impressive stamina from both men.
Hatton jogs in from range, high guard, bobbing and weaving, the left to the body, then whipping another around Barrera’s whiskers.
Barrera’s angles still mightily impressive though, timing Hatton well and unloads at the bell. They had some venom on them.
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
Hatton left with some swelling by his right eye.
Another embrace at the start of the fifth...
Huge right from Hatton lands, Barrera takes it well!
Barrera suddenly not enjoying the pace, goes for a wander. The Mexican needs to dish out some punishment to deter the Hitman.
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
Good hand speed from Hatton, but Barrera’s counter skills are still on display.
Some sneaky shots catching Hatton as he comes in.
Now the pair tie up and Hatton goes downstairs.
Barrera with a heavy straight right just as the fighters look to take a break.
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
The heads almost coming together again.
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
Campbell Hatton is ringside taking in the contest.
His father with a big right chopping down and landing square on Barrera, who was shaken momentarily.
Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera
A veteran move from Hatton as he almost holds with the lead and then whips in the uppercuts.
The heads almost coming together, Barrera holding his ground and looking to deliver a classic one-two combination.
Hatton moving his head well, excellent reactions too.
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