His most notable early win came against former WBC super featherweight champion Alfredo Escalera in 1982, when he won a ten-round decision.
In that fight, Hatcher was dropped in round six and subsequently lost a unanimous ten-round decision.
After racking up a few wins, Hatcher faced WBA light welterweight champion Johnny Bumphus on June 1, 1984, in Buffalo, New York.
In what Ring magazine called its "Upset of the Year," Hatcher scored an eleventh-round technical knockout over Bumphus.
Sacco, however, won their July 1985 rematch (and title) with a ninth round knockout win in Italy (the fight was stopped by the referee because of a Hatcher cut).