Philippines, 12 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


REFEREE BAYLESS: HATTON GONE IN FIRST ROUND


PhilBoxing.com


LAS VEGAS, Nevada ? Referee Kenny Bayless admitted he thought of stopping the fight in the first round after Ricky Hatton hit the canvas for the second time but decided to give the Briton a second lease of life when he sensed Hatton could still punch despite the savagery in the ?The Battle of East and West? at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here.

?I thought he was okay after the two knockdowns but I nearly stopped the fight in the first round when I sensed he was already hurt,? Bayless explained in an exclusive interview minutes after the 12-round IBO and Ring Magazine championship duel.

Bayless said he did not anymore bother to administer a mandatory eight-count in the second round when Hatton collapsed spread-eagled in the middle of the ring after being chopped by Pacquiao?s powerful left hook in the chin ?as he was totally out and there was no way for him to get up.?

Bayless said his primary concern was Hatton?s safety as he was clobbered by a powerful single punch and fell like a log.

Was Hatton?s condition okay after Bayless pulled the plug? ?He need the immediate assistance of ring doctors and two ring doctors immediately attended to him while he was still laying on canvas for several minutes,? Bayless said.

After a few minutes, Hatton (45-2, 32 KO?s) got up and shook his head in apparent shock and frustration. He and his entourage left the ring to the hospital ?for precautionary measures,? announced Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaeffer in a post fight press conference.

Schaefer said Hatton was fine that they needed to ensure his safety. Golden Boy Promotion boss Oscar De La Hoya accompanied Hatton in the hospital together with Hatton?s family members.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., Hatton?s trainer, did not show up in the post fight press conference. He was reportedly disappointed when Hatton ignored his instruction not to engaged Pacquiao (49-3-2, 36 KO?s) in a toe-to-toe brawl which Hatton did.

Pacquiao got the best angle and best distance and his speed and power were so awesome, said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who hinted that if former world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. ?wants a piece of the small Filipino, he is welcome to the club.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.