On this day in 2001: Ricky Hatton stops Freddie Pendleton in two rounds
Hatton, then 23, kept his WBU light-welterweight title when the fight ended 2:40 into the second round at the MEN Arena in Manchester.
Ricky Hatton knocked out Freddie Pendleton at the MEN Arena in Manchester 25 years ago today, on 27 October 2001, to retain his WBU light-welterweight title. The win kept the belt with a fighter who was four years into a professional career that would take him to the top of the sport.
The bout was scheduled for 12 rounds. It ended 2:40 into the second, with Hatton the winner by knockout.
Hatton went on to hold multiple world championships at light-welterweight and one at welterweight. In 2005 he was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America, ESPN and BoxingScene, recognition that confirmed his standing well beyond the British scene.
Known as "the Hitman", "the Pride of Hyde" and the "People's Champion", Hatton boxed professionally from 1997 to 2012. After retiring he worked as a promoter and trainer. He died in September 2025, aged 46.
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Reported by the Combat Sports UK desk. Times are UK and Irish time, and we update the report when the facts change. How we work.