MANCHESTER, England -- Ricky Hatton overcame a first-round cut to his eye and beat Vince Phillips in a 12-round unanimous decision Saturday to defend the WBU light welterweight title.

Hatton improved to 32-0 in his ninth defense.

Australian judge Des Bloyd scored the fight 120-107, American judge Howard Goldberg had it 120-108, and British judge Reg Thompson 119-109.

The 39-year-old Phillips is a former IBF light welterweight champion.