REFEREE BAYLESS: HATTON GONE IN FIRST ROUND
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 03 May 2009
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.
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