Hatton has sixth-round TKO over Pederson

MANCHESTER, England, April 3 (UPI) -- Local favorite Ricky Hatton did not disappoint an enthusiastic crowd Saturday as he stopped Denmarks' Dennis Pedersen in the sixth round.

Hatton (34-0, 25 KOs), fighting for the first time since a one-sided decision over Ben Tackie of Ghana in December, twice dropped Pedersen in the fourth round before the referee stopped the bout two rounds later.

The 25-year-old Hatton punished Pedersen (44-3) early with a fierce body attack, with both knockdowns coming after hooks to the ribs. Pedersen was a replacement for Brazilian Kelson Pinto, who pulled out earlier in the week due to illness.

In the co-feature, Sharmba Mitchell retaind his interim IBF junior welterweight title with an unanimous decision over fellow American Michael Stewart.

The 33-year-old Mitchell (54-3, 30 KOs) knocked down Stewart (35-2-2) three times to win his seventh straight bout.