BOSTON, May 14: Ricky Hatton added the first world welterweight title to his haul with a unanimous points decision over World Boxing Association champion Luis Collazo over 12 bruising rounds on Saturday.

The Englishman, who stepped up from junior welterweight to improve his record to 41-0 (30 knockouts), floored Collazo 15 seconds into the fight and had him bleeding from the mouth and forehead throughout, but southpaw Collazo battled back in a gruelling tussle.

In a tight contest Hatton was ahead on all three cards -- 115-112, 115-112, 114-113 -- to give the pride of Manchester the belt to add to his junior welterweight world titles.

After Hatton floored his heavier opponent, Collazo produced the more venomous selection of punches and almost put his riva on the canvas in a thrilling final round.

Hatton fought the last three rounds with a severe swelling under his left eye, but apparently never bled from the injury.

Collazo, who fell to 26-2 with the loss, started the second defense of the title in shaky fashion.

He said he was caught by a Hatton left after the referee told the fighter to break, but he rallied and took the entertaining bout to Hatton.

Prior to the Hatton fight, a moment of silence was observed by the crowd of 7,915 for former heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, who died on Thursday at the age of 71. —Reuters