Hatton's career as a professional boxer began in late 2000 with a point's victory over David White, on the undercard of brother Ricky's fight with Giuseppe Lauri.

On 20 October 2006, Hatton was disqualified for low blows in the tenth and final round of a British Welterweight title eliminator against Alan Bosworth.

Victory may well have given Hatton a shot at the British Welterweight title which was held at the time by Scottish boxer Kevin Anderson.

A short time after his loss to Watson, Hatton decided to leave long-time trainer Billy Graham and his Phoenix Camp Gym.

Instead Hatton fought Lovemore N'dou for the IBO Welterweight title at Fenton Manor in Stoke-on-Trent on 13 November 2009, the contest was scored a draw.

[8] Hatton claimed the vacant European welterweight title with a unanimous points win over Gianluca Branco in Dagenham on 26 March 2010.

In his first fight of the year in February 2013, Hatton lost a unanimous decision to IBO Welterweight champion Chris Van Heerden.