SOURCE: Press Association

Boxer Ricky Hatton's dramatic 10th-round defeat in the WBC welterweight title bout in Las Vegas has saved bookies from their biggest-ever payout on a British sportsman.

Up to £20m was gambled on the big fight and a win for Manchester boxer Ricky would have landed an eight-figure knockout blow on bookies.

Graham Sharpe, spokesman for bookmaker William Hill, said: "As Ricky's fans have beaten us 43 times in the past, we are only getting back some of the money we have lost to them over the years."

One William Hill client was celebrating after his £60,000 bet on a Mayweather win at 4/7 landed him a £94,000 payout.

Hatton's extraordinarily brave bid to wrest the title from American Floyd Mayweather ended when he was dramatically knocked out in the 10th round.

Mayweather clattered Hatton to the canvas via the ring post with a left hook and after the Briton clambered gamely to his feet, the champion finished the job with another huge left hand.

Hatton had attempted to out-hustle Mayweather from the start but his tactics seldom worked and the American held a huge points advantage by the time the fight was stopped.

Hatton's fans continued roaring their hero's name as he was counted out on his back on the canvas before he was helped back to his corner on unsteady legs, but soon recovered.

Hatton is now a 10/1 chance to win the BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Award with William Hill, with Lewis Hamilton 1/3 favourite and Joe Calzaghe 5/2 second favourite.