It was Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton who proved the bodysnatcher Saturday night in Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center as he stopped Jose Luis Castillo with a vicious liver shot in the fourth round of their junior welterweight fight. Many of the diehard Hattonites traveled from England to watch Manchester's favourite son do his thing while chanting "Rocking in a Hatton Wonderland!" in the stands.

Hatton, 43-0 (31), remains undefeated and retains his Ring Magazine pound-for-pound title. He jumped right on Castillo from the opening bell and immediately proved to be faster and slicker, although his ugly holding style was still apparent. Castillo, 55-8-1 (47), came out quick too, but was troubled by Hatton's trademark mauling style and let his opponent get the better of him in the first two rounds. Castillo did better in the second round, where he was able to get a little breathing space--but not much--and get in some jabs and left hooks. In the fourth, referee Joe Cortez deducted a point from Castillo for a low blow. Then Hatton landed the fatal blow, right below Castillo's ribcage. Castillo grimaced, turned around and took a knee. Surprisingly, he stayed down for Cortez's full count.

The much anticipated fight, though it started out promisingly, was anticlimactic. "El Temible", like fellow Mexican great Erik Morales--"El Terrible"-- is probably a shot fighter, although Hatton's spirited attack, ugly style, and relentless punching was definitely a factor. Castillo will forever be linked to Diego Corrales as participants in one of the greatest przefights of all time.

In an emotional moment after the fight, Corrales' wife embraced Hatton. Hatton-Castillo did not come close to living up to Castillo-Corrales, but no one can say Ricky Hatton didn't live up to his end of the bargain.