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Hatton: Down, but not done

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The Boxing Year in Pictures

The Brit pack certainly made an impression on the boxing world in 2007, though it was Floyd Mayweather who was still sitting pretty.

So much for the sport being in the doldrums - the last 12 months saw some massive names go toe-to-toe and some new stars emerge, not least on home soil.

However, the year has also seen some of the biggest names of the last decade bow out.

Mexican heroes Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales - sworn enemies throughout their career - both finished on a losing note, though that should not detract from their stellar careers that have provided many good memories, not least their three wars with each other.

After suffering a third defeat in four bouts, Virgil Hill confessed at 43 the time could be right for him to hang up his gloves.

Robin Reid has made the decision to quit, a defeat to Carl Froch in Nottingham enough to tell him the time was right to get out.

The boxing world also suffered the sad loss of Diego Corrales, a fighter who was never involved in a dull night.

'Chico' was killed on May 7 in a three-vehicle accident near his Las Vegas home exactly two years to the day of his classic encounter with Jose Luis Castillo.

Hitman not so Pretty

Britain's invasion of the world was once again led by Ricky Hatton, who after a quiet 2006 fought three times in 2007.

It all started with The Hitman out-pointing Juan Urango which was followed by a fourth-round stoppage of Castillo in July with one of his trademark body shots.

That victory set up to a showdown with Mayweather, not just for the American's WBC welterweight title but also for the right to be called the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

A long press campaign on both side of the Atlantic proved there was little love lost between the pair and that only heightened the anticipation surrounding the biggest battle between two fighters from separate sides of the pond since Frank Bruno travelled across to take on 'Iron' Mike Tyson.

Over 20,000 Brits went to Las Vegas to be part of the big fight atmopshere, many snapping up tickets on the black market to make sure they were inside the MGM Grand on December 8.

The fight itself failed to live up to the expectation, the over-zealous refereeing of Joe Cortez not helping Hatton's cause as he lost the bout, and his unbeaten record, when he was stopped in the 10th.

Even in defeat Hatton lost none of his quick wit, claiming it was 'a fluke' in his post-fight interview. The loss has left many questioning the wisdom of stepping up from light-welter, a division he had dominated in the past and one that may well be where his future lies.

As for Mayweather, that win followed on from a successful outing against Oscar De La Hoya, who pushed the Pretty Boy hard for six rounds before coming out on the wrong end of a split decision. Sadly for boxing fans, retirement looks to be the next step for Floyd.

Junior Witter could be a possible opponent for Hatton. 'The Hitter' looked out-of-sorts against Arturo Morua in January but dominated Vivian Harris in September, knocking out the man from Guyana in the seventh to remain WBC champion.

Joe Mighty!

While Hatton failed in his date with destiny Joe Calzaghe shone in his, becoming the undisputed super-middleweight champion with victory in another battle between two undefeated fighters.

Mikkel Kessler arrived in Cardiff with the WBA and WBC belts but left with a first defeat, on his record, Calzaghe recording a points win in front of a jubilant home crowd.

The Welshman had already seen off former 'Contender' Peter Manfredo, meaning he is now 44-0 and ready to make a move up for his next outing - possibly against Bernard Hopkins.

Calzaghe was not the only world champion from the Principality to enjoy a stellar year, stable-mate Enzo Maccarinelli successfully defending his WBO cruiserweight belt three times.

However, the best result by a Welsh boxer in the last 12 months came in July when Gavin Rees shocked WBA light-welterweight champion Souleymane M'baye in Cardiff.

English cruiserweight David Haye also became a world champion - climbing off the canvas to stun home favourite Jean Marc Mormeck in Paris and claim the WBC and WBA straps.

IBF light-heavyweight king Clinton Woods returned from injury to beat Julio Cesar Gonzalez for the second time in Sheffield in what was one of the fights of the year.

Big names do battle

2007 saw a number of stars collide, starting in February with Juan Manuel Marquez out-pointing Barrera.

The Baby-Faced Assasin suffered a second straight defeat in October to Manny Pacquaio, who will go on to meet Barrera's previous conqueror in March next year.

Cory Spinks' decision to step up to middleweight nearly paid off, the southpaw only just losing to Jermain Taylor on a split decision.

Taylor's luck did run out later in the year though when Kelly Pavlik ended his unbeaten run in New Jersey, the Ghost causing something of an upset. The pair will do it all again in a much-anticipated re-match in 2008.

Sugar Shane Mosley became the latest man to lose to Miguel Angel Cotto but there was better news for his Golden Boy partner Bernard Hopkins, who got the better of Ronald Winky Wright in July.

The heavyweight division, for so long owned by American fighters, is now dominated by boxers from the old Eastern Block.

Wladimir Klitschko still holds the IBF and IBO titles and will next meet WBO champ Sultan Ibragimov - the Russian denying Evander Holyfield in the Real Deal's attempts to hold a title for the fifth time at the tender age of 45.

Domestic dust-ups

While British fighters did their bit abroad there was also plenty of action back home.

Amir Khan continued his rise up the rankings with five wins in the year, the last being a sensational stoppage of Graham Earl in 72 seconds.

The Bolton boxer looks to be on a collision course with Jon Thaxton, who continued his renaissance with victories over Scott Lawton and a sensational last-round KO of Dave Stewart.

While one Olympic medalist is on the up another may well be done in the business after Audley Harrison lost to Michael Sprott back in February. He has not been in action since.

Sprott's career may also be over after he lost to Michael Skelton later in the year, though Danny Williams goes on and on, the Brixton Bomber recently failing to win the IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight belt when his opponent, Oleg Platov, was cut.

Kevin McIntyre produced the performance of his career to take the British welterweight belt from Kevin Anderson, while Ian Napa currently reigns in a highly competitive Bantamweight division.