Campbell Hatton's Unbeaten Streak Ends as James Flint Dominates Rematch in Manchester

James Flint Outclasses Campbell Hatton in High-Stakes Rematch

The boxing world watched closely as Campbell Hatton, son of Manchester’s own Ricky Hatton, stepped through the ropes for a grudge match against James Flint on October 26, 2024. The scene was set in Manchester, buzzing as Hatton, once unbeaten, prepared to rewrite the story after losing their first bout in Sheffield earlier this year. But Flint, riding the momentum of that first win, walked into the ring brimming with confidence—and he delivered on every expectation.

This rematch was anything but a slow burn. Right from the opening bell, both light welterweights fired off heavy shots and exchanged flurries almost without pause. Flint’s approach was measured—his footwork crisp, his defense tight—but he knew when to crank up the heat, especially in the crucial middle rounds. In the third and fourth, Flint’s right hand found its target cleanly, and he started sneaking sharp left hooks past Hatton’s guard, leading to visible swelling under the younger fighter’s eye. As the rounds wore on, Hatton struggled to match Flint’s technical precision and seemed to fade as exhaustion crept in.

No Excuses, Plenty of Questions for Hatton

Hatton’s corner kept up the encouragement, with his uncle and trainer Matthew Hatton calling for more discipline and composure. But the momentum just wouldn’t swing. Flint stayed urgent, cutting off the ring and using his reach to keep Hatton at bay. Each time Hatton rallied, Flint countered smartly and smothered any danger. When the final bell rang, it was clear from the body language in both corners who felt victorious.

The judges echoed what most ringside fans already knew: scores of 97-94, 96-95, and 96-94 all leaned Flint’s way. Unlike their first meeting, this one was closer, but Flint’s output, defense, and patience deserved the nod. After the fight, Hatton refused to make excuses and admitted he’d fallen short against a sharper man. Flint, still catching his breath, praised Hatton’s relentless spirit but said his game plan made all the difference—"I just stuck to my boxing, kept my focus, and didn’t let the crowd, or his bursts, pull me away from what I needed to do."

There was no shortage of drama outside the ring either. Promoter Eddie Hearn didn’t hold back, publicly saying Hatton had shown "no progression" and was simply not ready for the world’s best. Hearn’s comments, pointing out the bout’s questionable status on the main card, sparked plenty of talk among fans about favoritism and the tough reality for fighters who carry famous names. Hatton, who entered the year with a spotless 16-0 record, now faces a make-or-break moment as Matchroom Boxing may look in another direction.

Meanwhile, Flint’s reputation is no longer a quiet secret. Improving to 15-1-2, he’s forced his way into serious conversations among light welterweights. With these back-to-back wins over a high-profile opponent, Flint has options to move up the ladder or even challenge for bigger domestic honors. For Hatton, plenty of hard questions need answers—and plenty of hard work if he’s to bounce back from his first two career defeats.