HATTON DEFEAT GOOD NEWS FOR BRIT BOOKIES

14 December 2007

With over GBP 20 million on the line, this could have been the biggest boxing payout yet


Gritty Brit boxer Ricky Hatton's dramatic 10th-round defeat in the WBC welterweight title bout in Las Vegas over the weekend has probably saved UK bookies from their biggest-ever drubbing on bets made on a British sportsman.

Up to GBP 20 million was gambled on the big fight and a win for the plucky Manchester fighter - dubbed The Hitman for his undefeated record prior to Vegas - could have landed an eight-figure knockout blow on bookies.

Graham Sharpe, spokesman for bookmaker William Hill, told The Guardian newspaper: "As Ricky's fans have beaten us 43 times in the past, we are only getting back some of the money we have lost to them over the years!"

One William Hill client was celebrating after his GBP 60 000 bet on a Mayweather win at 4/7 landed him a GBP 94 000 payout.

Hatton's extraordinarily brave bid to wrest the title from the classy and experienced American boxer Floyd Mayweather ended when he was dramatically knocked out in the 10th round.

Mayweather clattered Hatton to the canvas via the ring post with a left hook and after the Briton clambered gamely to his feet, the champion finished the job with another huge left hand.

Hatton had attempted to out-hustle Mayweather from the start but his tactics seldom worked and the American held a huge points advantage by the time the fight was stopped.

Hatton's fans continued roaring their hero's name as he was counted out on his back on the canvas before he was helped back to his corner on unsteady legs, but soon recovered.

Hatton is now a 10/1 chance to win the BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Award with William Hill, with Lewis Hamilton 1/3 favourite and Joe Calzaghe 5/2 second favourite.

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