Ricky Hatton has said sorry to the thousands of fans who travelled to Las Vegas to watch his second-round defeat to Manny Pacquiao. The Manchester-based fighter was confident of victory over the ‘best pound-for-pound fighter in the world’ but suffered a second-round knock-out in the IBO light-welterweight world title match-up with the Filipino star.
An estimated 20,000 British fans made the long trip to the Nevada desert to watch their hero in action for less than six minutes, as he was knocked down twice in the first round before failing to beat the count in round two.
The defeat was the second loss of the Brit’s career and many in the sport are calling for the 30-year-old to retire, but Hatton’s first thoughts were for the army of supporters who had spent their hard-earned money to make their pilgrimage to the home of professional boxing.
“I’m so desperately sorry for you all,” he said. “I thought I would win but it went wrong. I’m OK but so upset for all the supporters who came out here.
“I didn’t see the punch coming, but it was a great shot. I congratulate Manny. He is a terrific fighter.”
