INQUIRER Sports

LAS VEGAS? FOR A WHILE THERE, referee Kenny Bayless thought of stopping ?The Battle of East and West? right in the first round after Manny Pacquiao sent Ricky Hatton down to the canvass for the second time.

The veteran that he is, however, Bayless decided to give the Briton another chance, sensing that there?s still some fight left in Hatton despite the vicious punches he absorbed from Pacquiao.

?I thought he was OK after the two knockdowns, but I nearly stopped the fight at first when I sensed he was already hurt,? Bayless said after the abbreviated 12-round showdown for Hatton?s International Boxing Organization and Ring Magazine light welterweight crowns.

Bayless said he did not bother to go through the mandatory eight-count in the second round when Hatton got tagged by a thunderous left hook to the chin that sent the Briton flat on his back.

?He was totally out and there was no way for him to get up,? said Bayless, who was also the third man when Pacquiao exacted revenge over Erik Morales in 2006 and wrested Juan Manuel Marquez?s WBC 130-pound title last year.

Bayless said his primary concern was Hatton?s safety after he fell like a log from a single punch.

Bayless, who also worked the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Oscar De La Hoya superfight in 2007, added that two ring doctors immediately attended to Hatton while he lay motionless in the center of the ring for several minutes.

When he regained his senses, Hatton wobbly got up, shaking his head in shock and frustration. Assisted by two members of his entourage, Hatton went down the ring and acknowledged a few hundred fans who stayed behind and consoled him.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer later announced during the post-fight conference that Hatton was taken to the (Valley) hospital ?for precautionary measures.?

Hatton, who suffered his first loss in the 140-pound division and dropped to 45-2, was accompanied by family members and Golden Boy Promotions head honcho Oscar De La Hoya, who earlier predicted a victory for Hatton.

Schaefer said Hatton was fine, but they needed to ensure his safety.