Ricky Hatton felt just like home in Las Vegas with a friendly crowd full of his countryman, who came to see him take on Jose Lulis Castillo – the biggest fight for Hatton since he beat Australian Kostya Tszyu two years ago.

The Englishman didn’t let his fans down and with a left hook to the body he knocked Castillo out in the fourth round ending the fight between the world's top light welterweights.

"I think tonight was a bit more of my best," Hatton said. "I don't think there was the excitement in my last two fights as there was tonight."

Hatton was declared winner at 2:16 of the round as the mostly British crowd cheered for their countryman.

"I felt very strong inside," Hatton said. "In my heart after the first round I didn't think he was going to last long."

The Manchester 'Hitman' increased his record to a 43-0 with this victory.

Former WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall told Setanta Sport: "To put a Mexican on the floor like that and to make him quit, that is a phenomenal performance from Ricky Hatton.

"I wouldn't be surprised to pick up a paper tomorrow and hear that Castillo has broken a rib there, it was a peach of a punch.

"He knew he had to impress. I said before it would be the ultimate victory if he was to beat a Mexican by outpowering him on the inside because Castillo is an expert inside fighter. But he was just outmuscled.

"Castillo landed a couple of low blows and the referee was right to jump in, but in the end Hatton's power just came through."

On the other hand, for Castillo, this loss may be the beginning of the end for his career as the Mexican dropped to 55-8-1 and he has problems making weight.