HATTON STOPS DANE IN SIX By George Elsasser

No surprises here that the Manchester hit man Ricky Hatton would continue the unbeaten roll … which he did to the tune of TKO6 over visiting Danish ring veteran Dennis Holbaek Pederson.

It is pretty much a rare nite when a last minute substitute upsets the proverbial apple cart … and were the 30 years of age Dane to pull it off, it would have likely rocked the very foundation of the  fistic fraternity.

Not to be … Hatton  needed no more than the opening stanza to see what he had in front of him … which was pretty much a pugilistic pacifist in a survivor role.

Hatton picks up the pace in round two … in charge but not as sharp as in past recent outings … happens that way when a gimme fills in for a legit foe with punching power, such as that Pinto guy from Aracaju country down South America way.

All Hatton in number three … drops Pederson early on in stanza four with the patented hurtin’ body punches … Dennis survives two knockdowns in the round but is something of a pugilistic version of a dead man walking.

Hatton uses round five to sharpen them body punching tools … he then completes the shutout when in round six a compassionate referee Dave Parris calls it 'no-mas' with Ricky pitching and Pederson catching at the 2:32 mark.

Post Scripts: Ricky Hatton: This one was nothing more than a keeping busy showcase carrying a nice price tag. As for the pigeon for an opponent, really nobody to point finger at with the joint sold out courtesy of the hard working Manchester, England blue collar clientele wanting to see its favorite son. As for the Hatton performance, he does what comes natural … and is now at an undefeated 35 with 26 by KO … sloppy at times, but understandable, can get away with it against a non-threatening type of dance partner. The Hatton beat goes on … and is good for the game.
                      Dennis Pederson: Wears the handle "Dennis the Menace" on the fite robe …  judging off last nite’s misadventure think it should read "Dennis the menace to Himself."  That 44-2, 23 resumé looks good on paper alone … and cannot improve at a now age of 30.

GEL

04-3-2004