Gene Hatcher

Career

His nickname was "Mad Dog."

He followed that with a rematch in 1983 with Escalera. In that fight, Hatcher was dropped in round six and subsequently lost a unanimous ten round decision. In what Ring magazine called its "Upset of the Year," Hatcher scored an eleventh-round technical knockout over Bumphus.

When Hatcher knocked Bumphus down, he slipped and fell on a follow-up attempt.

He then threw Bumphus down to the mat when both fighters clinched. A post-fight melee in the ring ensued after the stoppage.

Hatcher"s first defense was against Ubaldo Sacco in December of the same year. In Hatcher"s next - and last - chance at a world crown, he lost by knockout in 45 seconds to Lloyd Honeyghan in August 1987, with Honeyghan"s WBC and IBF welterweight belts being at stake.

After losing to Honeyghan, Hatcher continued to fight.

After a victory in Fort Worth over Juan Martin Galvan in 1995, Hatcher retired.

Achievements

• Hatcher was a United States Amateur In 1980 he became National Amateur Athletic Union Welterweight His most notable early win came against former WBC super featherweight champion Alfredo Escalera in 1982, when he won a ten-round decision. After racking up a few wins, Hatcher faced WBA light welterweight champion Johnny Bumphus on June 1, 1984, in Buffalo, New New York He won a fifteen-round decision. Sacco, however, won their July 1985 rematch (and title) with a ninth round knockout win in Italy (the fight was stopped by the referee because of a Hatcher cut). He had seven more fights, losing two (one of which was to future world champion Aaron Davis). In his career, Hatcher won 32 fights and lost 7, with 23 wins by knockout.