Match of the Decade

I'm not a big boxing fan, I'll admit. What some people stupidly call 'a noble art' is really just two sweaty men pummeling each other in a ring - which is really nothing more than a sanitised version of the gladiatorial arena.

However, last night's match against 'The Best Boxer in the World,' Floyd 'Prettyboy' 'Money' Mayweather and scrappy British upstart Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton was such a global phenomenon that even I got swept up the in the excitement.

And I also got to watch the match, thanks to my brother-in-law Justin. He had it on Pay Per View and accompanied by large glasses of Johnny Walker Blue, we sat down to watch the spectacle.

And I have to admit, it was pretty awesome stuff.

Justin and I were obviously rooting for Ricky. The plucky Mancunian had 43 wins in 43 matches and was the plucky underdog in this clash of the titans. The fact that he was ginger, too, gave it a bit of a personal edge and last night, he was certainly the Most Famous Ginger on the planet.

But Floyd Mayweather Junior was one hell of an opponent. Six time boxing championship winner, in five different classes, he had 38 victories with no losses and his statistics showed him to clearly be The Best Boxer in the World (pound for pound.)

And last night he proved it.

Despite a brilliant start by Hatton, who was always on the offensive and backed Mayweather into the ropes on more than one occasion, Floyd Mayweather used tried and trusted tactics to subdue the Brit. Ricky hit him here, there and pummeled him in the close quarters - but Floyd kept his distance, played it defensively and waited until the perfect opportunity.

And then BANG!

Every single punch was carefully calculated and hit it's target.

It was a fearsome display of discipline and accuracy. While Ricky deserved to win - he was a fearless and scrappy fighter who attacked relentlessly - Mayweather stayed true to form. His tactics, skill and accuracy did the unthinkable and knocked Ricky Hatton on his arse in the tenth round.

Justin and I were disappointed - but I can't argue with the astonishing skill of Floyd Mayweather. While Ricky set out on the warpath, hoping to subdue the American with his blistering speed and relentless offensive, Floyd was in it for the long run.

He bided his time, he took his hits and when he did dare to unleash a punch, he made sure it was accurate and powerful.

To his credit, not many fighters could have lasted as long as Ricky Hatton. But watching the punches replayed in slow motion, it was pretty clear after the first two hits that Hatton was going down.

Following the match, Mayweather wisely threw in the towel on his own career, indicating that he was going to become a promoter. And Ricky Hatton?

Taking a well deserved break, apparently. But I don't think we've seen the last of this fearless, scrappy Brit.