Ricky Hatton admitted he was beside himself with nerves before his victory against Juan Lazcano on Saturday night.

The Hitman revealed that his first defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather last December had left doubts in his mind about whether his best days were behind him.

He overcame them to dominate Lazcano from start to finish and delighted a packed City of Manchester Stadium by securing a 120-110 118-110 120-108 win on the judges' cards.

But even if there was little sign of it, Hatton admitted it had been an anxious evening.

"I have to admit I've never been more nervous before a fight in my life," he told Sky Sports after his points win.

"I felt great in the gym but it's different once you get in there. The fans pulled me through.

"All those demons are in your mind, like can you come back as strong. Tonight I've proved it and I think I'll be better now I've got the first one out of the way."

Hatton paid tribute to Lazcano's heroic performance, and said the fight was as tough as he expected.

"Out of 43 fights I think he has only lost four, he was a fantastic challenger," he said.

"I knew it was going to be like that - when you fight someone like Juan Lazcano, who doesn't take a backward step.

"It's not like me to jab and move really. I know I keep saying I should do."

Although he won a wide points victory, there was a hint of disappointment from Hatton that he had not treated his huge following to a spectacular stoppage.

But he conceded he did not want to risk getting caught by his tough opponent.

"There was about three or four times where I thought I had him hurt and out of there," he said.

"I think if I wanted to box my way to a points victory I could have come through a lot more comfortably.

"But the minute I had him hurt with a few punches I tried to put my foot on the gas and sometimes landed myself in a bit of trouble."