- 7 weeks ago
Ricky Hatton defends his WBU Light Welterweight Title against Mikhail Krivolapov on Showtime Boxing
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00:00Ready to go!
00:30Come on!
01:00Come on!
01:30Come on!
02:00Come on!
02:04A chorus of about 12,000 bringing Ricky Hatton into the ring.
02:20What a reaction to a very theatrical entrance by Hatton.
02:25We're set for the numbers.
02:27Let's size him up as we check out the tail of the tape.
02:31Hatton six years younger, but advantage to a lot Bob of the height and reach departments
02:35at yesterday's way and both came in under the limit.
02:39And the key WBU rule.
02:45There is no standing eight count.
02:47No three knockdown rule.
02:49There is no standing eight count by the bell in any round.
02:53Now, if a fighter cannot continue due to an injury from an accidental foul,
02:57he must retire and will be declared the loser by TKO.
03:01So, here in Manchester, England, we're getting ready for our main event.
03:07We're getting ready for our main event.
03:09We're getting ready for our main event.
03:11We're getting ready for our main event.
03:13Championship eating wants to make an array of training at Jessica Raskons in America Michael
03:15and we're getting ready for our final answer.
03:20Let's get the official introductions
03:21from our ring announcer, the classy Jimmy Lennon Jr.
03:24Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please, before we continue our action.
03:34Ladies and gentlemen, as I'm sure you are aware that earlier today, Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret passed away.
03:41Before we continue our action at this time, we ask you to stand in respect for a minute of silence, followed by the national anthem.
08:18His weight, 9 stone, 13 1⁄2 pounds, the same as his opponent, 139 1⁄2 U.S. pounds.
08:28He is undefeated in his campaign in the ring with 27 wins, no losses.
08:3322 wins coming by way of knockout.
08:36Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, making the fifth defensiveest title,
08:40here is the WMU right welterweight champion,
08:44the hard-hitting, rising young star of boxing,
08:48introducing Rikki, the Hitman, Hapton!
09:01Once again, a referee in charge, Mickey Van, now to give instructions.
09:05Okay, boys, you both had your instructions in the dressing room.
09:08I want no noise with the head.
09:10Shake hands, buddy, corners, good luck.
09:14Hapton had to cope with several distractions in the days leading up to this fight.
09:22One of his favorite uncles passed away.
09:24His son taken to the hospital with a high fever, but he's okay now.
09:27In addition, Hapton injured his Achilles tendon and damaged his thumb in training.
09:31Kravok Lopov, a counterpuncher who likes people coming to him.
09:35He won't have to worry about that tonight.
09:37He'd better be ready for an all-out attack,
09:39which he didn't really have against her count.
09:41And while he has good range,
09:43he's not very active and could have difficulty with Hapton's upbeat pace.
09:49And look for the Russian to switch if he has time.
09:53Hapton coming right at it.
09:55Sound fighter, good skills, ferocious body puncher,
09:59and tremendous one-punch power.
10:01A straight-ahead, no-nonsense banger from right here in Manchester.
10:11Hapton the aggressor right out of the gate.
10:13I noticed that Kravok Lopov is not really using the jab, stepping with it.
10:17Even the sting, Hapton, but he's ducking into it and covering up like he's almost afraid.
10:22Hapton landing with a left hand.
10:25I asked the Russian how he intended to combat the smothering style of Hapton.
10:30He said he'll use the first round to discover.
10:33That's what German Mario Veit told us prior to the Joe Calzaghi fight,
10:36and he discovered he wouldn't make it to the second round.
10:38We'll see if Kravok Lopov has better success.
10:43Hapton called this his toughest test yet
10:45because Kravok Lopov is rated number four.
10:48He's 29 and at his peak.
10:51He was impressive against Durkow.
10:53You can see Hapton trying to work in the left hook to the body.
10:56He definitely wants to go to the body in a big way.
10:58Hapton missing with the left hook,
11:00scoring with a right uppercut on the inside of the chin of Kravok Lopov.
11:05Right hand is blocked by the left hand of Hapton.
11:12Kravok Lopov.
11:14With a low blow, Mickey Vann giving him the warning.
11:18And the third man of the ring out of Leeds England.
11:23The ingenacious Ricky Hapton.
11:25There was a nice jab by the Russian,
11:26but he needs to follow up in the right hand
11:28and get some combinations in Ricky Hatton.
11:29His face is slowing down.
11:31Good dunk under move there by Hatton,
11:36not known for his great defense.
11:41And then the spin-around move.
11:46Hatton's thing has gone to the body.
11:48Hatton just ate one.
11:55Krivolopov is fighting smart here in the first round.
11:58He's tying Hatton up on the inside, which is intelligent,
12:02and he's trying to get a feel, I think,
12:03for the strength and speed of Hatton,
12:05looking to tie him on the way in,
12:06but right now not being very effective.
12:08Using his jab.
12:15See, this is a pace that I'm not sure Krivolopov
12:17has been prepared to deal with.
12:19He wants to slow Hatton down. He's not able to do it.
12:21He's not been known as a very active fighter,
12:24but he's going to have to pick up the pace
12:26just to stay with Hatton.
12:28Hatton with five of his 22 knockouts
12:37in the first round, in case you're wondering.
12:40Comes off two straight second-round knockouts.
12:44There's a right hand that's scored by Hatton.
12:47Here are the final seconds of the opening round.
12:49He's looking very anxious.
12:57There's a car light.
12:59He's trying that big right hand because he's getting a little bit flooded.
13:05No problem.
13:07Every time you turn him up, you get him, right?
13:11Just take your time, drinking.
13:14He's moving around the floor like you're fucking getting.
13:16You're going to put him down.
13:17We're going to put him down in just a waste of seconds,
13:19because he's going to be there, right?
13:21Ricky Hatton closing out that round very impressively,
13:23working his man back, pushing back, going to the body,
13:26coming up top, using uppercuts on the inside.
13:28Really effective toward the last 30 seconds of that round.
13:31Started to get some telling blows in,
13:33and you can see that Kribalapov is starting to fold a little bit.
13:47Hadn't known for his tenacity,
13:49but does have some good boxing skills with an array of punches.
13:58He never goes backwards.
14:00He's always coming ahead.
14:02As you can see right here, round two.
14:07Nice counter right hand by the Russian.
14:09Kribalapov is going to need to put some sting on that
14:11and to slow him down.
14:13Once again, Kribalapov in the all black
14:17has never been stopped.
14:21He's been down just once versus South Africa's Harrison Methula
14:25in April 2001, came back to win TKO 7.
14:32Kribalapov is going to win TKO 7.
14:34Sounds like a soccer crowd, not a boxing crowd.
14:37And that's how Ricky Hatton likes it.
14:45The Russian tying up Hatton.
14:47But Hatton going to the rims.
14:48You're right.
14:49They're coming back.
14:53You're right.
14:57They're coming back.
14:58They're coming back.
14:58Look at that.
14:59Look!
14:59Look at that.
15:00Look at that!
15:01Look at that!
15:03Hatton with no letup.
15:04Once again, pressing the attack,
15:06a twisting right uppercut to the chin by Hatton.
15:08Missing widely with the right.
15:10And inside, Kripalopov has been trying to tie up Hatton a lot,
15:15and one of the better punches, a right uppercutty,
15:17takes it right up the middle, right there again,
15:19in between his defenses.
15:20Very effective punch.
15:26Kripalopov trying to work the jab,
15:28but not following it up.
15:30Great body shots there by Hatton.
15:32Kripalop took him so reflexes.
15:33His idol is one of the all-time body punchers, Roberto Duran.
15:39Studied a lot of tapes of the great Panamanian.
15:46That right hand was blocked by the gloves of Hatton.
15:48And he fires him right up,
15:49because on the inside, you can see him almost automatically
15:51countering with that right uppercut there again.
15:53Hatton coming at Kripalopov from all angles.
15:59Trying to confuse the Russian.
16:05Kripalopov almost slipped.
16:07On the showtime banner.
16:12Uppercut on the inside by Hatton.
16:18Again, on the inside, a nice uppercut to the jaw by Hatton,
16:22and a straight right hand that pushes the Russian back.
16:24And a right uppercut to the chin by Hatton.
16:27Boy, that punch has been effective.
16:28He's been working the right uppercut over time.
16:30He's been great.
16:35Good head movement by Hatton to avoid those swings.
16:41Final seconds round two.
16:43Another right uppercut to the chin by Hatton.
16:45And those punches scoring repeatedly.
16:50He's going to get careful about his right hand,
16:55because he's getting fucking desperate now.
16:57He's really feeling it.
16:58All he's got to do is make himself a little bit room.
17:00You know what I mean?
17:01He's trying to smoke it inside.
17:03Just make some room.
17:04Finish on the left up.
17:05And he'll go downstairs.
17:06He'll go downstairs and finish on the left up.
17:09And I'm sure you'll get him.
17:11But he's feeling it.
17:12So expect him to throw more fucking big right hands.
17:14You know what I mean?
17:15But he stopped most of them,
17:17but he thought he was going to control it.
17:21You see early in the round, Ricky Hatton,
17:23he's pushing Cripple Apple back to the ropes.
17:24He's got his back.
17:25He's nowhere to go.
17:26He comes up the middle with his right uppercut.
17:27Time and time again.
17:29He's been effective throughout that entire round.
17:31Gets inside, gets tight.
17:33And here comes the right uppercut.
17:34Right up the middle.
17:35He's got a very, very punishing punch on the inside,
17:38especially the way Ricky Hatton's throwing it tonight.
17:44Yeah.
17:47Keep it clean.
17:50Ricky Hatton dominating from the start
17:52as we enter into round three.
17:57A very small ring,
17:58as we pointed out in the first fight.
18:0018 by 18.
18:01Yeah, if you can move in this ring,
18:04you can really move anywhere.
18:06It's a tiny ring.
18:07Kripple Apple doesn't have much room to hide.
18:09The aggressor has the advantage,
18:11and that is Ricky Hatton.
18:20There's a twisting left hand and a straight right by Hatton that scored.
18:23Kripple Apple, to his credit, fighting gamely.
18:31A little trickle of blood around the right nostril of the Russian.
18:34See, Kripple Apple's jab is too soft.
18:37He's not giving Rick Hatton anything to worry about.
18:39If you step with that jab, throwing it stings a little,
18:42you might make Hatton just hesitate a little bit,
18:45and that would be huge here.
18:4618 of his 34 wins by knockout.
18:49Kripple Apple in the black with the white trim.
18:51The hitman of the colors of Manchester City.
18:54The Russian swings widely with the right,
18:56and then the countering left hook goes nowhere for Hatton.
19:11Hatton forcing Kripple Apple into the ropes.
19:13Kripple Apple quickly gets out of trouble.
19:14But he's been in trouble from the opening bell for the most part.
19:23I'll give him credit.
19:24He's not just in a survival mode. He's trying.
19:27No, he clearly is, but he can't figure out Hatton yet,
19:29and he can't offset the strength factor.
19:31He hasn't figured out what it's going to take to offset the factor,
19:33and he's going to have to stuff a harder jab, I'm telling you,
19:36and push Ricky back at least a little bit.
19:38He's going to have to do it.
19:43Vicious lift up a cut by Hatton.
19:44Hatton looking for his 28th win.
19:46No defeats.
19:47Has 22 knockouts.
19:48Rated number two by the WBO.
19:50Number six by the WBA.
19:52His fifth defense of what's called the WBU light one away in time.
19:56Only 23 years old.
20:04Body shot attempt there by Kripple Apple.
20:08That was blocked.
20:09Right uppercut on the inside again.
20:10That's been very good for Hatton all night.
20:12And then a left hook and a right uppercut.
20:15Beautiful array of punches by Hatton.
20:18That left uppercut put a little bit of a glaze in the eyes of Kripple Apple.
20:22And a straight right hand through the gloves by Hatton.
20:30Hatton continues to be on the chase.
20:36Kripple Apple must feel like he's fighting two or three guys.
20:39Final seconds round three.
20:42Hatton like an octopus.
20:47Blanketing the Russian.
20:49Missing wildly with the left.
20:51Kripple Apple scored slightly there at the pill.
20:55Our translator for Kripple Apple is Tamara Gumbikin.
20:59Hit him on hold.
21:03Don't let him blow.
21:05Retreat.
21:06Retreat.
21:07Stay away.
21:08Hit him harder.
21:10You understand?
21:11Stay away.
21:12Don't follow the ropes.
21:14Don't follow the ropes.
21:16Don't follow the ropes.
21:17Don't follow the ropes.
21:18Don't follow the ropes.
21:19Watch his left uppercut.
21:22We talked about his right uppercut.
21:24Hatton on the inside ripping a left uppercut to the jaw of Kripple Apple.
21:28And very effective on the inside.
21:30There's another look at it.
21:31Watch him turn that uppercut all the way up.
21:32And you see him twist his body up.
21:34And he's throwing with power.
21:36He's throwing punches with bad intentions.
21:38There's a little rough out.
21:41Actually, two illegal blows.
21:43One square in the spine hit on the base of the skull.
21:45A little sort of foul play there by Ricky Hatton.
21:48And Mickey Venn is all over the Russian.
21:51He says, don't spin around.
21:53You think he's going to get on Hatton in this crowd?
21:56I don't think so.
21:58He's going to think long and hard before he does something to Hatton.
22:02But it was Hatton who was clearly at full.
22:08Round four.
22:09It's scheduled for 12.
22:13Here comes Hatton.
22:14If you're not used to this type of pace,
22:15in this type of very physical fight,
22:17I can tell you that this will start to tell on you.
22:19Round six, seven, eight, and nine.
22:20And that'll be interesting to see if Krivillapov can still hang in there.
22:23Those punches too light by Krivillapov.
22:26Making no dent on Hatton.
22:28Hatton just walked in to a straight left.
22:31But it didn't seem to faze him.
22:37Krivillapov getting burned on the inside.
22:41Those stinging right uppercuts.
22:45The crowd reacting to anything Hatton does.
22:50The Russian to his credit trying to push Hatton back there.
22:52Push him in the ropes and work him.
22:54But just doesn't really have the strength to keep Hatton off him.
22:56Hatton has never been down in his 27-fight career.
23:00But as we pointed out earlier,
23:02has had the cut problems in the past.
23:04It has been under control though of late.
23:06Ever since that John Thaxton fight where he got cut badly around the arm.
23:09Hatton eating some leather.
23:15Krivillapov coming on a little now.
23:25Hatton digging to the body.
23:33We've got a whip of a left hook there, Hatton.
23:35It missed us now.
23:37But if it connects, it's trouble.
23:39Krivillapov's corner told him to tie Hatton up on his side,
23:42but didn't explain to him how to counter that aggressive style.
23:45They need to really address that.
23:47Hatton again in pursuit.
23:49He just never goes backwards.
23:54And he's having no trouble here with Krivillapov.
23:59See, the difference here is that Krivillapov doesn't have power,
24:02doesn't have real speed.
24:03He's still moving skills defensively.
24:05Well, he slipped there.
24:06Yes, he did.
24:07Guy like Zabjou, different story.
24:08Guy like Tasha Zou, different story.
24:10But they still stack up to be great fights.
24:12Krivillapov trying just to unleash the right hand
24:16that was partially deflected.
24:22He is game.
24:26Hatton spins him around, digs to the body.
24:30Nice right hand right and left hook to the body.
24:32Hatton continues to have his way as the crowd erupts.
24:36But again from the right astral of Krivillapov.
24:43Final seconds of the fourth round.
24:45High energy level here at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England.
24:49I'm sure he's really on a fucking full pace.
24:50Do you know what I mean?
24:51He's jugging it over somewhere.
24:52He's not going to stay there.
24:53Right.
24:54But when he's going, when he's going, he's really opening up.
25:08Bobby, take us inside the run.
25:11Ricky Hatton tonight, uppercut's a staple.
25:15He is going to the inside.
25:16There's the right uppercut.
25:17Again, the right uppercut.
25:19We'll watch the left uppercut.
25:20Landing him clean and landing him hard.
25:22Another right uppercut.
25:23Right down the middle, bringing him up with power.
25:26Terrific punch for Ricky Hatton tonight.
25:28He'll probably come again first round.
25:30You know what I mean?
25:31The first part.
25:32Oh no, that verse might took out of me.
25:34He might start to move.
25:35If he does start to move, just let him take for himself.
25:38And then step on the gas when he wants to rest.
25:40Sure?
25:44Okay.
25:45Don't go crazy.
25:46Wasting shots.
25:47Move.
25:52That's a bundle of energy.
25:54Five foot six Ricky Hatton.
25:56Who is relentless as we enter in around five.
26:06Hatton wearing the black, silver, and blue.
26:09Dribilopov in the black with the white trim.
26:12Hatton just pulling Dribilopov around.
26:18Dribilopov doesn't have the strength to ward off Hatton
26:21and he doesn't have the power to sting him and keep him at bay.
26:25But he is hanging tough.
26:28That's about all he can do.
26:32Just not in the same league as Hatton.
26:35Power wise or skill wise.
26:41He has been taking a lot of heat.
26:42A lot of punishment has Dribilopov.
26:46A lot of rights and left uppercuts to the chin.
26:48Hatton really hasn't connected yet with that big left hook,
26:55but we'll see what happens if he does.
26:58Here you see a combination by Krivilopov.
27:00Even when he lands, they're almost in time to crunch him.
27:03They're like, just batting flies away.
27:05He has no power to get respect and give Hatton something to worry about.
27:08And even when they break, when they separate, Hatton doesn't let up.
27:12He's punching in the midst of all that.
27:17There is no break for the Russians.
27:22Sometimes Hatton appears to be in such a hurry
27:24that he smothers his own punches and sort of overruns their effective length.
27:28Beautiful right-left combination to the head by Hatton.
27:31And the pressure continues.
27:38Hatton has to be in exquisite condition to keep this pace.
27:45He's only gone 12 once, and that was with John Thaxton.
27:53Under a minute left, round five.
27:55Look at these left hands by Hatton.
27:57Hatton to the body and the head.
28:01He mixes it up.
28:09All Krivilopov can do is hold on and dance.
28:16He is running out of gas.
28:18These punches are taking their toll now.
28:23Body shots, debilitating shots by Hatton.
28:27Just takes all the steam out.
28:30Go to the body, and the head will fall.
28:34If you kill the body, the head's got nowhere else to go.
28:35To Krivilopov's credit, he is trying to do something.
28:42He just doesn't have the power to do it.
28:43Get it out!
28:44Get it out!
28:45Get it out!
28:47Get it out!
28:49Get it out!
28:50Get it out!
28:51Get it out!
28:52Get it out!
28:53Get it out!
28:54Get it out!
28:55Get it out!
28:56Once again, our translator is Tamara Gambikin.
29:00Right.
29:01Stay put.
29:02Don't fall on the ropes.
29:03Hit him.
29:04Let him hit him there.
29:06When you hit him, hit him lower.
29:08Stay put.
29:09Be smart.
29:10Don't let him get you.
29:12Push him in the center.
29:14Push him harder.
29:15And hit him low.
29:16Low blows.
29:17Push him harder.
29:18Push him harder.
29:19Push him harder.
29:20Push him harder.
29:21Push him harder.
29:22Push him harder.
29:23We're going to watch Ricky Hatton with a very educated left hand.
29:25He's going to dig a left hook right in here.
29:27One under.
29:28Then he's going to work the uppercut up into the chin.
29:30Then come back with the left hook to the chin.
29:32He works a very educated left hand.
29:35Always working different angles, different places.
29:37There's a body shot.
29:38There's a head shot.
29:39Uppercut.
29:40Back to the body.
29:41He is very, very smooth with that left hand.
29:43We call that an educated left hand.
29:45Yes, Hatton is ferocious and relentless.
29:49But as you point out, he can also step off to the side
29:52and punch with combinations.
29:54He shows creativity.
29:55He's got skills.
29:56Very so.
29:57One of the few times he's thrown a nice overhand right,
30:00which landed clean.
30:15I know you said that you didn't think Hatton was quite ready,
30:21as of yet, for a guy like Kass Jisoo.
30:23But how would you rate him thus far?
30:25You have to be impressed with what you're seeing,
30:27even though he's up against a lesser fighter.
30:29And there's the hard part to truly assess just how good he is.
30:32But I'm very impressed with his power.
30:34He's shown a good chin, although the fighter doesn't have power.
30:37He's shown great endurance.
30:38I watch him in the corners barely breathing.
30:40He's keeping a heck of a pace.
30:41So right now, I'm becoming a fan.
30:43I want to see him against some more Americanized styles,
30:46people who will slip and bang him back,
30:48and have a little pop.
30:50Dribble up-up has gone only six rounds,
30:54once in his last six fights.
31:02Again, that road uppercut,
31:03followed by a right cross by Hatton to the head.
31:05Devastating shots to the head and body by Hatton.
31:09The wear and tear is starting to tell.
31:20Hatton continues to hammer away in a one-sided affair.
31:37The head's coming awfully close.
31:42So far, no cuts for Hatton,
31:45which has been a problem in years gone by.
31:49A nice overhand right by Krivillapov.
31:51Now, to his credit, he is trying.
31:53He's not just trying to survive,
31:54but eventually, he may be reduced
31:56to just survive the distance
31:58and not succumb to all the pressure
32:00and the power and the punches.
32:02But he just doesn't have the power to keep Hatton off.
32:04Hatton doesn't show any signs of slowing down, Steve.
32:07Well, Bobby, we knew coming in,
32:08the Russian Krivillapov was, at the very least,
32:12a rugged performer.
32:14A record of 34 and 218 knockouts,
32:16but not many recognizable names on that ring record.
32:18Oh, no!
32:19Except for one,
32:20a highly-regarded Akne Erkel,
32:22who gave Kostya Zou some difficulty.
32:26Whoa!
32:27There's that signage again
32:29that we keep seeing fighters slip on.
32:34And wouldn't you know it,
32:35as you pointed out earlier,
32:37it's a Showtime Inn.
32:39The other side of Schiltzman.
32:40Final seconds of the sixth.
32:41Hatton again pouring it on.
32:42The crowd erupts.
32:44Twisting left uppercut to the jaw
32:46by Hatton near the bill.
32:48It was the nicest punch of the night for Krivillapov.
32:58He throws a nice right hand right over the top of it.
33:01But again, he's not a power puncher.
33:03One punch will never get it done.
33:04He needs combinations behind the stiff jab.
33:07Watch him hit the sign.
33:08There you see his foot,
33:09gets caught on the Showtime,
33:10the Sports Network sign.
33:11He slides right out of the ring.
33:12Ending around, Hatton trying to close it out again,
33:14throwing some nice combinations.
33:15And again, the Russian catching them.
33:16And slowly but surely wearing down
33:17just a little bit more each round.
33:18And there you see that.
33:19He's got a nice right hand right over the top.
33:21But again, he's not a power puncher.
33:22One punch will never get it done.
33:23He needs combinations behind the stiff jab.
33:26Watch him hit the sign.
33:27There you see his foot,
33:28it's caught on the Showtime,
33:29the Sports Network sign.
33:30He slides right out of the ring.
33:32Ending around,
33:33Hatton trying to close it out again.
33:35Throwing some nice combinations.
33:36And again,
33:37the Russian catching them.
33:38And slowly but surely wearing down
33:39just a little bit more each round.
33:42This is only the second time
33:48Hatton has been taken past round six.
33:50And in that encounter,
33:51he won a lopsided 12-round decision
33:53over the aforementioned John Thaxton.
33:56Kevilopov has been this far
33:5813 times previously.
34:03Halfway through,
34:04and it's been a fight
34:05totally dominated by the local favourite,
34:07Ricky Hatton.
34:08One thing is it's easy to score.
34:10That's for sure.
34:12Every round,
34:13to Hatton.
34:18I think as the next year progresses,
34:20as Hatton works on the defensive skills,
34:21he may also want to address
34:23that he really loads up sometimes
34:25and gets wide open telegraphed
34:26and some blows
34:27that might land
34:28had he not told everybody they're coming.
34:30No knockdowns in this fight.
34:42Speed, Bobby, as you know, in boxing
34:44is such a difficult thing to judge
34:46and you just don't know
34:47how that will measure in
34:49when he goes up against the elite,
34:51the top fighters.
34:52That's true speed,
34:53and also they have comparable power
34:55with that speed.
34:56Also another asset
34:57that he has to deal with.
34:58Drupalopov turning it up just a notch,
35:02but again not having any difficulty
35:05is Ricky Hatton.
35:06Hatton said next he
35:09will probably go after
35:11Eamon McGee,
35:12the Commonwealth champ
35:13who won earlier tonight.
35:14And then maybe
35:16Chop Chop Corley,
35:17the WBO champ,
35:18and then maybe
35:19Tosh Brazil.
35:20And he backs the Russian
35:21into the corner now
35:23who wisely extricates himself.
35:25Well, Hatton talked about him
35:27wanting to keep the fight distance short.
35:28Can't get much shorter
35:29than he's been most of the length.
35:30Right up on top of
35:31Yubalopov looking in his face.
35:32Also, he's working the body,
35:33trying to break the Russian in half.
35:34His keys to victory winning
35:35and on the other side of the coin.
35:36Oh, Yubalopov.
35:37And that sent the Russian
35:39staggering backwards.
35:40Yubalopov has not been able
35:53to establish a jab.
35:54He's not been able
35:55to keep the distance
35:57in his counterpart.
35:58He has not been effective.
36:00None of his keys coming through.
36:01Therefore, such a one-sided losing effort.
36:03One of those big left hooks
36:05offered up by Hatton.
36:06One of those big left hooks offered up by Hatton,
36:09this time landed, and Krivolov felt it.
36:19We approach the final 30 seconds of the seventh.
36:23It's been all Hatton with tape flying
36:27from the right glove of the Russians.
36:36Hatton missing with the left.
36:43Good head movement by Krivolov to avoid that one.
36:48Back comes Hatton, and now Krivolov offers up some counterpunches.
36:57We'll take you into the Russians' corner again
36:59for our interpreter, Tamara Gambikin.
37:02Hi, Miss Mark.
37:04Hold him, hold him, hit him lower than his back, swing.
37:08Try to hit him on left and right hook.
37:11He's lower than you.
37:13You should hit him lower, lower hit.
37:15And don't fall, stay put, don't fall on the mobs.
37:18Hit it, hit it.
37:20Left hook, left, use your left hand.
37:24Try to use swinging.
37:30Here's some left hooks being thrown by Ricky Hatton,
37:32again, an educated left hand.
37:34He loves to leap in with that big shot.
37:36And there you see him snap the head back of Krivolov.
37:38But he's not getting the big one through.
37:42Here's another look at it.
37:43He leaps in, you see him dive in with that left hook,
37:46landing clean on the button of the challenger.
37:51Hurting him a bit but not getting him out.
38:00Crowd eight.
38:01It's scheduled for 12.
38:05On the line is the WBU Light Runaway Championship held by Ricky Hatton,
38:09his fifth defense.
38:10He's 27 and 0 with 22 knockouts.
38:13Hatton just walked into a straight right hand and you saw the sweat fly.
38:17But that's about all he was able to move, the Russian.
38:19He does not have power.
38:21He had to sweat off his hair and that's about it, Steve.
38:25Felt good here, a little air.
38:28Krivolopov, 34-2, 18 knockouts.
38:32Doesn't have much pop to that punch.
38:35Hatton, a different story, although he has not been able to put the Russian down yet.
38:39To the Lappos showing courage.
38:45He has withstood quite a bit of punishment here.
38:52Body shots like that one.
38:54The best right hand, the best right hand he's landed all night,
38:59the Russian just landed but did nothing, the Ricky Hatton.
39:03Hatton continues to pursue Krivolopov.
39:05Kravilovov chasing him from corner to corner.
39:13Warning for a low head of Ricky Hatton.
39:17He came in with his head down and slammed into the Russian's face.
39:20Here's a straight right hand that tags Kravilovov on the head.
39:25But he's tough.
39:26Comes back, but with pitter-patter punches.
39:31The Russian has a lot of resolve.
39:33I don't know how much more of this, though, he can take.
39:36Do the left hook of the body, and you see the Russian put his hand at it and say,
39:39Come on, give me some more.
39:40Yeah, is that all you got?
39:43He's gutting.
39:46We'll give him that.
39:49Hatton trying to take him out.
39:52Straight right hand that got through the defense by Hatton.
39:56That was right on the nose.
39:58Literally.
39:58Literally.
39:58Hatton continues to press forward.
40:07Kravilovov throwing punches, but not getting him very far.
40:14Hatton's face looking totally undamaged.
40:18But Hatton's eating some leather here on the inside.
40:21And I think that in the bravery department for the Lopov, it's one of the few fans at the Burden League.
40:26Yes.
40:28Fighting, going backwards, that's about all he can do.
40:36Hatton again, sending the Russian to the ropes.
40:40And hammers away to the body and the head.
40:43Cutting shots.
40:50A left of the...
40:51Oh, my goodness.
40:52To the midsection by Hatton.
40:54He almost lifts the Lopov off the ground with that hook.
40:56That was some punch by Hatton.
40:59A Hollywood left hand by Ricky Hatton.
41:03What's happening?
41:04You're not stepping down and getting the side.
41:06You're not catching him square with the punches.
41:08You know what I mean?
41:08I know he's catching a bit of effort, but if you can just step round him a little bit, it's because of where he holds his hands, you know what I'm saying?
41:15He's protecting his sides well.
41:17But you're not stepping down, you just try to get the head close and tight.
41:20Just touch him, step round, bang.
41:21You have to do that.
41:22What's wrong with your not saying?
41:23You understand?
41:24You have to do that again.
41:27You have to go, you understand?
41:29My round.
41:31The ninth round.
41:31Some great bodywork by Ricky Hatton.
41:48We're going to watch that left hook.
41:50He digs it underneath.
41:51He just really buckles for the Lopov.
41:54Working that left hook overtime to the head and body, but especially to the body in that last round.
41:58Some fighters are total headhunters.
42:01Hatton seems to thrive on going to the body.
42:05Krivolopov just registered a straight right hand, and now Krivolopov fighting with a purpose.
42:12But again, those punches just don't have the power that Hatton's does.
42:20Round nine, scheduled for 12.
42:22Something they said in the corner to Ricky Hatton, he told him to just step around a little bit more for the right angles, and he can land his punches clean and not his glancing blows.
42:37But Hatton, yeah, continues to just score at will here.
42:41Krivolopov came out with an aim, but then suddenly he was thwarted by the local Manchester favorite.
42:52And now Hatton regains total control.
42:55And a right uppercut that twisted the Russian's head.
42:58And then a right hand to the temple by Hatton.
43:03Krivolopov is so worried about his side, he keeps his elbows in tight, but at the middle, it's wide open.
43:08Hatton taking advantage.
43:09He's left him right uppercut all night long.
43:11Again, right there.
43:11Right-left combination to the head on the inside by Hatton.
43:14Oh, a corkscrewing right uppercut by Hatton to the jaw.
43:24And Hatton just marches the Russian around the ring.
43:30Amazing work rate by Hatton.
43:32But this kid, Krivolopov, is so game, but just not in the same league with Hatton.
43:44Over here! Over here! Over here! Over here! Over here!
43:51Krivolopov's on his last leg.
43:55Oh, that right hand would have really staggered the left hook to the body.
43:59Krivolopov is sucking air.
44:01He's having trouble moving with his legs now, Steve.
44:04That leaping left hook by Hatton did damage.
44:07Krivolopov doesn't want any more.
44:11Krivolopov looking on closely.
44:14The crowd's sensing the finish.
44:17Can Krivolopov escape this madness?
44:22He's got 30 seconds to do to get outside of this round.
44:24That's it. It's all over.
44:31You can see it coming.
44:39Here in round nine, Ricky Hatton stays unbeaten, having his way from the get-go.
44:47It was just a matter of time.
44:55And the crowd saluting their hometown favorite, Ricky Hatton.
45:00About 12,000 strong, and they're all standing.
45:06As he's hoisted to the shoulders.
45:12Took him a little longer than usual, but he got the job done.
45:15Well, he fought a game fighter who was also pretty tough.
45:19No real power, but durable.
45:21And had a real, you know, he showed a big heart.
45:23He had a real will to win.
45:24He didn't just survive, he fought back.
45:26Gotta give him credit.
45:28And that's exactly what Ricky Hatton is doing right now.
45:31And he raises the arm of his opponent.
45:35And gives him a round of applause himself.
45:37Good sportsmanship.
45:38So chalked up another W for the hitman.
45:49And he keeps his unblemished record alive.
45:5228-0, 23 knockouts.
45:557-0 now in his hometown of Manchester.
45:58Holds on to his belt.
45:59The fifth successful defense
46:02of the WBU light well-to-weight crown.
46:09Referee Mickey Vann
46:10protecting, I guess you could say,
46:13Mikhail Kribalapa from further damage
46:15by stopping the fight
46:16mercifully
46:17at the 231 mark of round nine.
46:21That type of fighting style
46:23that Hatton has
46:24will cause opponents
46:25to feel
46:26the enormous amount of attrition
46:28over a long period of time.
46:30Oh yeah.
46:30Well you saw Kribalapa
46:32as he falls to 34-3.
46:34And this is the first time
46:35he's been stopped.
46:37So what does the immediate future
46:39hold for Hatton?
46:40Well he said if
46:40he won convincingly tonight,
46:42which I guess you could say he did,
46:44he wanted a big UK matchup
46:45with Eamon McGee
46:46in the spring.
46:47And McGee
46:48cooperated by winning earlier tonight
46:50over John Thaxton.
46:52And perhaps then
46:52the WBO 140-pound champion
46:55DeMarcus Chopchop poorly.
46:57And perhaps then,
46:59who knows,
46:59a unification fight
47:00in early 2003
47:01with the undisputed champ
47:03Kostya Zhu.
47:04That might be a little too much,
47:06a little too soon.
47:07Yeah, that's what some people feel.
47:09That he may be in a
47:10too much of a hurry,
47:13just a little bit of a hurry
47:14to get to the division's elite
47:17at 140 pounds,
47:19which has become
47:20one of the more interesting
47:21and exciting divisions
47:22in the sport of boxing today.
47:26But of course,
47:27by the fierce
47:28Mr. Kostya Zhu,
47:30who's from the same
47:31neck of the woods,
47:32the Uro Mountains,
47:33as the Manhattan beat tonight,
47:35Mikhail Krivalapa.
47:36So we're standing by for our
47:38ring announcer,
47:39the dapper Jimmy Lennon Jr.,
47:41the classy Jimmy Lennon Jr.,
47:42to provide us with the official
47:44word on tonight's results
47:47as Ricky Hatton goes to 28-0
47:49with 23 by way of knockout.
47:52Ladies and gentlemen,
47:56we have the time of two minutes,
47:5831 seconds in round number nine.
48:01Our referee in charge,
48:03Mickey Vance,
48:03stops the contest,
48:05the winner by way of
48:06technical knockout.
48:07He is still undefeated
48:09and still the WBU
48:11light welterweight champion,
48:14Ricky,
48:15the hitman,
48:18Hatton!
48:19So the fans get what they
48:25came to see here,
48:27about 12,000 strong
48:28at the MEN Arena
48:29as their hometown favorite,
48:31Ricky Hatton,
48:32prevails
48:32in convincing fashion,
48:35winning every round
48:36up until the TKO
48:38in round nine.
48:39A very nice array of punches
48:41by the hitman
48:43throughout the evening,
48:44particularly on the inside
48:45with those uppercuts,
48:46rights and lefts,
48:47doing much damage
48:49to the Russian
48:49all night long
48:51with Kyle Kribalapov.
48:52And there he is
48:53exhibiting the championship belt.
48:58You're going to take a look
48:59at this.
48:59Now you watch,
49:00here's the Russian's head.
49:01He gets hit with an uppercut
49:02under here.
49:03His head swings
49:03all the way back to here.
49:05The whiplash from this punch
49:07early in the round
49:08and he's just caught up
49:09with him.
49:09Early in the fight
49:10and early in the round,
49:11he just kept getting hit.
49:12Look at his head snap back.
49:13The leverage that Ricky Hatton
49:14used on that red uppercut
49:15was tremendous
49:16on the inside.
49:16And here we have
49:18the end of the fight.
49:20He's getting teed off on.
49:22He really isn't offering up
49:23much in the way
49:23of coming back
49:24and the referee steps in
49:25and says that's enough.
49:26Mickey's seen enough.
49:27He realized that
49:28the Russian had no real chance
49:30of winning the fight
49:31and a chance of actually
49:32getting hurt.
49:37The incoming in round nine
49:38as this crowd remains
49:43on its feet
49:44in exuberant celebration
49:47for their man,
49:49Ricky Hatton,
49:49who had to have won
49:51every round prior
49:52to the stoppage
49:53in round nine
49:54and we're getting
49:54the thumbs up on that.
49:55All three judges
49:56had Hatton in command,
49:58obviously winning
49:59every round.
50:03So Hatton posing
50:04to the ringside
50:05photographers right now
50:06as he holds
50:09that precious belt
50:10to his shoulder.
50:15Take a look at some
50:15of the action
50:16from the final round
50:17of the night.
50:18We were watching
50:18Ricky Hatton.
50:19He's starting to really
50:20get to the first real
50:21signs of deterioration
50:23and you see there
50:24legs are bad.
50:25He's offering his arms up
50:26almost as if he said
50:27come and get me.
50:28Ricky Hatton is pressing
50:29him and pushing him.
50:30Pressing him and pushing
50:31him, working the body,
50:32trying to get the uppercuts
50:33working on the inside
50:34to take this man out.
50:37Trying to keep his arms
50:38free.
50:38You'll see him just
50:39forcing the pace,
50:40forcing the punishment
50:41and the referee
50:42eventually has to come
50:42in and stop him.
50:43Yeah, it was a
50:44merciful stoppage
50:45by Mickey Van.
50:46What was the use
50:47of letting it continue?
50:49There was no way
50:49the Russian was going
50:50to win anyway.
50:51So that's the story
50:54as Ricky Hatton
50:55prevails once again
50:56and let's send it over
50:57to our man Colin Hart.
51:00Ricky, can you believe
51:01he took that amount
51:02of punishment
51:03for nine rounds?
51:04Not really, no.
51:05He was very, very durable.
51:06I think that's the
51:07Russians for you.
51:08They're very, very tough
51:09people by nature
51:09and that's what he proved
51:10tonight in the ring.
51:12Now, everybody's talking
51:14about you fighting
51:14Costa-Suzou.
51:16Do you think you're
51:17ready for him now
51:18or do you still think
51:19about a year's time?
51:20Well, I've always said
51:22when I fight the likes
51:23of Costa-Suzou,
51:24he's the number one man
51:25and rightly so
51:26and I've never said
51:27that I'm ready for him
51:28right away.
51:29I said in a few fights
51:29time, a little bit
51:30further down the line,
51:31I will be ready.
51:32You know, Costa-Suzou's
51:33at his peak at the best
51:34he's going to be now
51:35and I'm still 23
51:35and improving
51:36and I need that fight
51:38really.
51:38There's a lot of hype
51:39and a lot of support
51:40around me
51:40and a lot for me
51:42to live up to
51:42and you know,
51:43sometimes you believe
51:44your own hype
51:45when you're knocking
51:45people out in two
51:46or four rounds.
51:46That's what I needed
51:47and I think my next
51:48performance will be better
51:49because of that.
51:50What the people
51:50probably don't know
51:51is that you had
51:52a disrupted build-up
51:53to this fight,
51:54didn't you?
51:54With an uncle dying
51:55and your baby sick.
51:56How is your son
51:57by the way?
51:58He's a lot, lot better.
52:00We had him one day
52:01and he just started
52:02coming over
52:03with a very high temperature,
52:04sweating
52:04and he fainted
52:06so I had to rush him.
52:07This was the night
52:07before the way
52:08and straight to the hospital.
52:09It was a bit of
52:10a worrying moment
52:11so it's not been ideal.
52:12I lost my uncle
52:12who was my number one fan
52:14two weeks ago
52:15and he had a couple
52:16of niggles
52:17on Achilles tendon
52:18and a thumb injury
52:19but it's easy
52:20to bring out the excuses.
52:22I'm not bothered.
52:23I was happy
52:24with performance
52:25and I'd been more worried
52:26if there was nothing
52:27for me to improve on.
52:28I think it's the second time
52:31you've been more
52:31than six or seven rounds.
52:34That fight tonight
52:34was much better for you
52:35than just a two-round job,
52:37wasn't it?
52:37That's right.
52:38Sometimes I know
52:39what I'm capable of.
52:40I'm capable of going
52:41right to the very, very top
52:42but this shows me
52:44that when you've gone
52:45maybe five or six fights
52:46on the bounce
52:47not going more than
52:47four rounds
52:48and just blasting people away
52:49this sort of brings you
52:51back down to earth.
52:51You've got to go back
52:52to the gym
52:52and work a few things
52:53but it costs you
52:55a few fights
52:56further down the line
52:57but fights like this
52:58is what I need
52:59and I'm absolutely
53:00looking forward
53:00to going fighting
53:01on the stage.
53:02I hope I've impressed
53:03them tonight.
53:03I hope I've given value
53:04for money
53:04and I can't wait
53:05to come over there
53:06and show them
53:07some more tear-ups.
53:09Frank,
53:09it's obviously a joy
53:10to promote.
53:11Where do you go from here?
53:12Is it Eamon McGee
53:14at next?
53:16I think that's the fight
53:17we would like to do
53:18but it's all about
53:18us sitting down
53:19next week
53:19and working on that
53:20and that's a fight
53:20I'm sure the fans
53:21would like to see.
53:22Ricky wants it
53:22and I know that Eamon McGee
53:23wants it
53:23but we've got to sit down
53:24and work a few things
53:25out first of all
53:26and once we do that
53:27we're announcing it
53:28but that's the plan
53:28is Eamon McGee
53:30a couple more fights
53:31and I would think
53:31down the end of the year
53:33beginning of next year
53:34it costs a zoo.
53:35I know Vlad Wharton
53:36he's a promoter
53:37and manager
53:37has got some commitments
53:38already for cars
53:39so once I think
53:41Ricky gets some more
53:42exposure
53:42some more fights
53:43a couple of fights
53:44in the stakes
53:45I think then we can go
53:46for that fight
53:46which will be a tremendous fight
53:47big fight
53:48two exciting fighters
53:49and I'm sure
53:50would be one of the fights
53:51of the year.
53:52I'm certainly looking forward
53:53to it
53:54thank you very much Ricky
53:55and brilliantly done
53:56and back now
53:57to Steve Albert.
53:59Alright Colin
53:59so a lopsided victory
54:01for the personable
54:02Ricky Hatton
54:02Bobby from what you've seen
54:04tonight
54:04is Hatton ready
54:05for a major world title fight?
54:07Well I was impressed
54:07he's ready for a major world title fight
54:09and he may do well
54:10but I just don't think
54:11against Kostya Zou
54:12any of the other top elite
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