RICKY HATTON charge Brad ‘Sting’ Rea scored a sensational round-one knockout win on Saturday.
The middleweight powerhouse detonated a sickening left uppercut on Ireland’s Craig McCarthy that collapsed him to the deck, needing ringside oxygen.
The Stretford lad went 12-0 – on the Amir Khan vs Kell Brook undercard – with the ruthlessly rapid KO but he also looked relieved when McCarthy got back to his feet having recovered.
The heavy-handed ace beamed: “It’s one of the best day of my life.
“I know that I’m capable of that. I hit hard – this was a message to the other middleweights.
“Craig is a good fighter, I was pleased he took the fight because it would help me show how good I am.
“I know I have that power but a lot of work goes into making sure the shots land.
“And the most important thing, after the victory, is that Craig gets up and goes home safe to his family.
“I just want more of these potential hard fights and opponents so I can move up the rankings and start targeting titles.”
Orthodox fighter Rea landed a handful of brutal rights in the second minute of the fight.
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But it was the left-handed shot he pivoted into with full force that robbed McCarthy of his senses.
With British ring legend Hatton beaming in his corner, Rea put on a brief but faultless performance to thrill his local crowd.
After strutting to the ring to Hatton’s favourite local band – Oasis – he boxed like a Rock-n-Roll star in a cracking cameo appearance.
