Hatton hits weight limit

Ricky Hatton made weight right on the limit for Saturday's junior-welterweight fight with American Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Stripped down to his underwear, Hatton, 30, climbed onto the scales and belied suggestions circulating in American boxing circles that he was struggling with his weight as he looked a lean and trim 140 pounds.

Malignaggi, 27, comfortably made weight, tipping the scales at 139 pounds a little over 30 hours before challenging for Hatton's Ring Magazine and IBO world championship belts.

Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) was forced to listen to a deafening chorus of Hatton chants from the estimated 2,500 fans who had started assembling in the Grand Garden Arena some 90 minutes before the weigh in.

The New Yorker appeared pumped up by the hostile atmosphere as he made weight, gesticulating to the crowd as Hatton took his turn on the scales before leaving the stage without comment.

Afterwards, Hatton was handed the microphone by ring announcer Michael Buffer and thanked his fans for turning out.

"I'm going to make you proud again," Hatton promised to a chorus of approval.http://www.rickyhitmanhatton.com(Ricky Hatton's official website)