Full fight report - Brook/Hatton

Taken from http://www.thecornerstool.co.uk

Written by Ed Devanney

Photos by Danny Hill

Saturday night, the 17th of March, saw the long anticipated clash between Sheffield’s unbeaten and precocious talent, Kell Brook and Manchester’s tough and talented Matthew Hatton. Brook was putting his WBA Intercontinental belt on the line, Hatton had his IBF International strap up for grabs. Although this bout was for these two lesser regarded titles, it was more important in the context of the British Welterweight scene. Matthew Hatton, well established with World Championship experience under his belt, facing the young, up and coming talent of Kell Brook. We would have a better indication of where both warriors’ careers are heading at the conclusion of the contest.

Matthew Hatton, 42(16)-5-2, was the first to enter the arena, his ring walk drowned out somewhat by 10,000 fans showing their support for the local lad, Brook. Hatton looked like a man making his 50th appearance in the paid ranks who had recently fought Saul Alvarez on foreign shores. He did not look phased by this reception. Brook, unbeaten in his 26 professional bouts (18 by KO), on the other hand, was offered a rapturous reception; he looked to be enjoying his ring walk.

The fighters looked in fantastic shape prior to the first bell. Both looked toned and strong, as always, both entering a contest in the best physical shape possible. Hatton and Brook both weighing in at 10st 6lb. When the first bell rang both men came out and tried to establish themselves behind their jabs during a rather cagey opening couple of minutes. Brook seemed to settle into his rhythm the quicker of the two, looking to draw Hatton in and then counter with sharp, solid shots. Hatton had some joy, following up a job with a good left hook to the body, however, this was as good as it got for the Manchester man. Brooke took control later in the round, landing some very accurate jabs and a solid right hand, drawing blood from Hatton’s nose. The second and third rounds were controlled by Brook using his superior speed of hand and foot, constantly keeping Hatton guessing as to where the shots were coming from. It was beginning to have the look of a long nights work for Hatton who could not find a rhythm due to Brooks movement and punch picking.

Hatton came out for the fourth round looking fired up and like a man who knew he had to do something quickly to get back into the contest. He picked up his work rate and was trying to rough Brook up, having some joy with his straight right hands and a good looking right uppercut on the bell. This was Hatton’s best round of the fight so far, however, Brook still did enough to make it a close one to call.

The middle rounds again were controlled by Brook. Using his jab well to set up stinging right hands and left hooks to both the head and body of Hatton. Hatton was trying to close Brook down, but every time he did so he was met with sharp, accurate punches which were stopping him getting into range to unload with his own shots. Round six saw Brook on the front foot and try to crank up the pressure on Hatton, teeing off and switching angles very well to keep Hatton constantly off balance and unaware as to where the shots were coming from. Every time Hatton missed, Brook punished him with solid shots which looked as if there were beginning to take their toll on the Manchester fighter.

Hatton battled through the next couple of rounds showing the heart and toughness that was evidenced in his fight with Saul Alvarez, there is no quit in Hatton at all. Even though he was way behind on the scorecards he kept pushing and trying to get close to the Sheffield man, taking a lot of shots on the way in. It was, however, beginning to look ominous.

At the start of the ninth, Hatton came out throwing more shots, simply trying to land a telling shot on Brook. One of these shots, a wild looking left hook, was rolled and countered by Brook with a lovely left hook of his own, dropping Hatton for the first time in the bout. Hatton never looked hurt, I think it was a combination of a solid shot and Hatton being off balance from the wild swing. Hatton rose at 7 and began to try to walk down Brook, looking like he knew he had to take some risks to have any chance of getting to Brook often enough to hurt him. Brook ended the round with a solid right hand as if to remind Hatton that he was in control.

The last rounds of the fight followed a similar pattern, Hatton was walking forward trying to get to Brook and land some shots to slow him down. The tenth was arguably Hatton’s best round of the fight, landing, most notable a solid overhand right which seemed to momentarily stun Brook. He was throwing more and looking busier than in the previous few rounds, however, Brook was still landing the accurate, more eye catching shots. The eleventh and twelfth rounds saw Brook in total control, picking Hatton off whenever he left himself slightly open. Hatton had to go for it and did not disappoint, marching forward, again showing the heart and toughness of a true warrior. Brook was still landing the more accurate shots right up to the final bell.

The judges were, unsurprisingly unanimous in their verdict. Dave Parris had it 118-109, Howard Foster, 119-108 and Phil Edward 119-107. All in favour of the new, rising star of British boxing, Kell “The Special One” Brook.

Many questions will now be raised about where both Hatton and Brook go from here. In my opinion there is no reason why Matthew Hatton cannot look at challenging for the domestic titles, however, his time may be limited, simply due to the miles he has on the clock.

On the other hand, it appears that Kell Brook has the world at his feet and should really be looking to challenge some of the big names in the division over the coming year. I personally would like to see him in with a fringe level fighter who has fought the best in the division and still has something to offer. For me Paulie Malignaggi would be a good option, the slickster would definitely pose a different proposition to any Brook has faced so far. He has been in with some of the top names in the welterweight and light welterweight divisions including Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Juan Diaz and Amir Khan. If Brook should face someone of this calibre and come through with the victory then he would be looking at the likes of Victor Ortiz, Andre Berto and the other top names in a very strong Welterweight division.