SURGERY KEEPS HATTON OUT FOR SIX MONTHS(skysports)

[adi 101]

Ricky Hatton was taken to hospital for surgery immediately after his unification win over Carlos Maussa - and will be out for up to six months.

The Hitman, who is now the IBF and WBA light-welterweight world champion, was cut over both eyes in a gruelling opening against the ungainly Colombian.

The first, over his left eye, came courtesy of a butt within 51 seconds of the first bell and the second came in the third - after Maussa had been warned for rubbing his glove in the first wound.

Hatton missed the post-fight press conference to go to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure, but trainer Billy Graham revealed the extent of the damage - and possible bad news for Hatton's plans to face Floyd Mayweather or Miguel Cotto in the new year.

"One cut is quite bad and the other is not so bad," Graham said. "As a precaution, we're getting it stitched by a plastic surgeon.

"He's going to be out for six months, but it's been a hard year for him and he really needs a rest."

It means Hatton, who had already vowed to swap quantity for quality in his schedule, will not fight againt until May 2006. But Graham also insisted that when he does return WBC champion Mayweather is next on the Hitman's wishlist.

The ringside talk in Sheffield was of a blockbusting New York showdown with Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti, but the man they call the Preacher wasted no time in calling out the Pretty Boy on behalf of his two-title world champion.

"We want Floyd Mayweather," he said. "He's a great fighter and you've got to go in against the best. The boxing world is screaming out for it."

[adi 101]

really really really bad cut!

[HAFRIDI]

ouch

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

imagine what floyd mayweather would do if he saw an opportunity like that

[HAFRIDI]

yeh i think thats a big advantage for the opponent-his cuts opening quick, i think if floyyd won it would be because of the cuts issue

[Geordie Ahmed]

I like Hatton and i want him to do well BUT there is no way i can see him beating Mayweather - well unless Mayweather has a nightmare of a fight!

Mayweather would be simply too good for Hatton - there is no way Mayweather would have let Hatton won if he was in Maussa's position, Mayweather would have danced til the end! the guy is lightning quick and has good power! The only way Hatton could possibly win is if he turned it into a slugfest BUT i think Mayweather is too clever and experienced to let that happen

[adi 101]

true if he had a cut like that early on against mayweather or miguel cotto they would have killed him

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

i agree GA - mayweather is too smart a fighter to get caught up in a slugfest!

[khanpuria]

but he done it with kostas so u never know, Hatton only needs a bit of luck and then anything could happen

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Koth_rotti but he done it with kostas so u never know, Hatton only needs a bit of luck and then anything could happen

Kosta was kinda past it to be honest! Mayweather is on another level, you just have to see him to see how good he is! he is too smart for Hatton imo -

[khanpuria]

never understimate ricky tho. he deserves some kind of respect, he is world champion x2

[HAFRIDI]

mayweather is a clever boxer, thats what seperates him and hatton imo