The crowd had been billed as one of Ricky Hatton’s biggest assets against Floyd Mayweather Jr, but it became his greatest liability when large sections of the overwhelmingly British crowd disgraced themselves by booing the national anthem of that the country that was hosting them.

The crowd loudly joined in when Sir Tom Jones sang God Save The Queen. But when Tyrese, the R&B singer, stepped forward to sing The Star- Spangled Banner, the United States national anthem, he was almost drowned out. The singer gamely plugged on, but many were outraged. HBO’s commentators were quick to condemn the fans they had been praising moments earlier and one HBO technician in the ring gave a middle-fingered salute to the crowd.

It certainly seemed to galvanise the American support behind Mayweather. Where they had been very quiet, chants of “USA, USA” were shouted when Mayweather got on top.

“I was in the changing-room when the anthems were sung, but if that’s what happened, I’m disappointed,” Hatton said. Mayweather had only praise for British fans who had given him such a tough time all week. Joe Cortez, the referee, was among those who seemed deeply agitated at the crowd’s reaction to the anthem.

The New York-born official had a bad night and it was Hatton who seemed to get the worst decisions. At times, Cortez seemed to completely lose control. Early on, he let Mayweather get away with blatant holding, and also seemed to turn a blind eye when he used his forearm.

In round six, Hatton landed well with a right hand and, as Hatton tried to follow up, Mayweather turned and was caught by a punch around the back of the head, which forced the American partly through the ropes.Cortez deducted a point from Hatton, who then remarkably, turned around and stuck his backside towards Mayweather. The gesture seemed to disgust Mayweather, who poured in a barrage of punches, while Hatton appeared to have lost his composure.

“I got frustrated with it all,” Hatton said. “I was doing my fair little bit of naughty stuff, but he was able to get away with it. I expect to get two or three warnings, I’ll watch tape but I don’t think I did get those warnings for rabbit-punching. My head went. He kept putting his elbow in and turning his back and that’s why I sarcastically turned my back on him as if to say, ‘Go on, hit me there’.

“I do feel I was a little bit out of control, that’s why I feel a bit of a mug that I left myself open, I’m too experienced for that.”

It is usual in WBC title bouts for the referee, and often all three judges, to be from neutral countries. But the Nevada State Athletic Commission insists on its own officials, hence the referee and all three judges came from Nevada, where Mayweather lives.

Chorus of protest

Times Online readers were quick to take offence at the booing:

“Way to go, Brits. You drink 24 hours a day while in Vegas. You boo the American national anthem, when not one American booed yours. This was just a night that showed how badly America outclasses you in every respect.”
— Irv Botelho, Santa Clara, USA

“Unfortunately, the English fans were a complete embarrassment.”
— Adam, St Helens, UK

Have your say at timesonline.co.uk/boxing

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