Brad Rea produces epic first-round KO as stinging uppercut from Ricky Hatton prospect leaves opponent needing oxygen
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 […]
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.
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“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.