Fighting on the undercard of Leigh Wood v Can Xu at Matchroom HQ Garden, Campbell ‘Hurricane’ Hatton continued the promising start to his professional career with a decisive points victory over Jakub Laskowski.
IN THE BLUE CORNER – CAMPBELL HATTON
Coming into this fight with a 2-0 record, Hatton looked all business with a fresh buzzcut, and was likely looking for the first stoppage win of his career after two straight decisions on the scorecards against Jesus Ruiz and Levi Dunn.
On paper, this would be a stiffer challenge for Hatton, with Laskowski carrying a 4-4-1 (2KO) record into this contest, as opposed to the combined pre-fight 0-14 record of Ruiz and Dunn. Speaking to DAZN before the fight, Hatton acknowledged the increased challenge, saying “this is a step up, he’s tricky and a tall fighter. It’ll take a bit of figuring out – it’ll be a bit awkward. It’ll be a good learning experience for me.”
IN THE RED CORNER – JAKUB LASKOWSKI
A former Muay Thai fighter hailing from Poland, Laskowski was the first opponent Hatton had faced with a win to his name and would be hoping to upset the odds and leave England with a winning career mark after this bout.
After a hot start to his professional career, Laskowski entered this contest on a four-fight losing streak, having been stopped in his last two fights by Volkan Gokcek and Damian Tymosz respectively.
IT’S SHOWTIME
Laskowski was first to the punch in the opening round, pawing at Hatton with an energetic jab and showing good head movement, Hatton responded with a three-punch combination that landed mostly on the arms of his opponent. Laskowski stepped in to hold on to Hatton but received two blows, complaining to referee Mark Bates that one connected with the back of his head.
Hatton landed another solid blow to the head before being wrestled back onto the ropes by his Polish opponent. The Hurricane started to find his range and land clean shots, but Laskowski continually moved forward to clinch and push Hatton back, interrupting any momentum. The face of Laskowski was starting to redden as the bell rang on a close opening round that was likely shaded by Hatton who landed the heavier shots.
When round two opened, Hatton positioned himself in the center of the ring and fought behind the jab before backing Laskowski onto the ropes and applying pressure with several offensive flurries. Hatton continued to stalk his opponent and led with a left to the face before doubling up with a strong hook to the body as Laskowski retreated.
The Polish fighter grabbed hold of Hatton to halt momentum, but the pair were quickly separated by referee Bates. Hatton remained on the front foot, landing blows to the body and head before Laskowski landed several punches in the last 30 seconds that were likely too little, too late in a dominant round for Hatton.
Hatton split the guard of Laskowski with two straight punches to open the third round, before landing several thudding shots as the Pole backed onto the ropes. Hatton then forced Laskowski further back with a vicious left hook to the body before the pair exchanged blows and Laskowki’s mouthpiece fell out to cause a brief stoppage as it was replaced in the corner. It was to be a brief respite for Laskowski, as Hatton continued to stalk forward and land percussive jabs interspersed with hooks and uppercuts.
Laskowski attempted to interrupt the Hurricane’s momentum with a three-punch combination that barely registered. Undeterred, Hatton spent the last minute of the round on the front foot and banked another 10-9 round that likely left Laskowski in need of a knockout to win the fight.
At the start of round four, Hatton did not take a backward step and threw a left-handed jab followed by sharp right-handed blows. Laskowski circled in search of an opening and threw two and three punch combinations on the counterattack. In the final minute of the fight, Laskowski continued to jab and looked for a decisive blow to swing the momentum of the fight, it was not to come and Hatton closed out what looked like another decisive points victory in his early career.
At the end of the fight, the combatants touched gloves and Hatton gave his opponent a respectful wink before it was confirmed that referee Bates had scored the fight 40-36 in favor of Hatton to move his professional record to 3-0.
WHAT THEY SAID
Speaking to DAZN after the fight, Hatton said “I’m happy again really, I thought my defense was a lot better. I was a bit more composed again.” Hatton was honest in his self-assessment, admitting he hurt Laskowski at times but made the error of getting too close and smothering his own punches. Hatton did say it was not a big concern at this stage of his career, “I need the rounds more than I need a stoppage.”
WHAT NEXT FOR THE WINNER
Hatton continues to come out on the winning end and his front foot, pressure fighting style makes him an entertaining young prospect. Accompanied by the fighting lineage if he carries, Hatton is a great addition to any undercard with the September 25th (Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk) card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the next major Matchroom event where we will likely see the Hurricane in action.
The name of Hatton will be a good addition to Laskowski’s resume, and he will now likely be looking to break his five-fight losing streak against a less high-profile opponent next time out.
Author’s scorecard (round by round)
Hat-Las
Rd1: 10-9
Rd2: 20-18
Rd3: 30-27
Final: 40-36