Bloodied Hatton Adds WBA Belt

IBF light welterweight champ Ricky Hatton won the WBA belt with a grueling ninth-round knockout of Carlos Maussa in Sheffield. Hatton used relentless pressure to wear down Maussa and finally finished him off with a big left in the ninth. However, Hatton absorbed a lot of damage as well -- finishing the fight with cuts over both eyes that required plastic surgery and will keep him out of the ring for at last six months. Hatton now wants a unification bout with WBC champ Floyd Mayweather. Boxing fans would love to see such a fight but Hatton's management would be wise to get their fighter another payday against Miguel Cotto or Arturo Gatti before putting him in the ring with Mayweather.