Ref told to get a grip on Hatton’s grappling

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The American is challenging Hatton for his Ring Magazine Championship belt, which recognises the division's best fighter.

And Malignaggi, who gave up his International Boxing Federation title in order to fight Hatton, is also calling for a strong performance from referee Kenny Bayless.

Referee Joe Cortez came in for criticism from the Hatton camp last year after the English fighter lost his unbeaten record to Floyd Mayweather. Yet Malignaggi believes the problems were all Hatton's.

"There's no problems with inside fighting unless Ricky Hatton's involved," said the New Yorker. "Nobody complains that a referee is breaking fighters except when he's fighting.

"Referees want to see action just as much as fans want to see it. They never stop the action. If you're wrestling, then you've got to be broken up. They say if one hand's free you're allowed to work. If you're the one being held you can't work and you have to be freed up."

When asked what he objected to with Hatton's style, Malignaggi said: "Holding. He'll throw a combination and then grab you so you can't answer back. He has no defensive ability so what he does is try to win the round by landing his punch and then grabbing you before you can answer back.

"Grabbing you behind your neck and holding you in place so that you can't slide away when you get underneath a punch. Then he hits you with the other hand. Just stuff like that."