Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton
Richard John "Ricky" Hatton, MBEis a British former professional boxer and current boxing promoter. During his twelve-year career he held the WBA, IBF, IBO, British, The Ring magazine and lineal light-welterweight titles, as well as the WBA welterweight title. Following a loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2009, Hatton put his career on a long hiatus, with rumours of a comeback circulating the media. On 7 July 2011, Hatton announced his retirement from the sport, but on 14 September 2012, more...
ProfessionBoxer
Date of Birth6 October 1978
CityStockport, England
This is the position I've always dreamed of being in.
Frank has got a shock from our witness statements. He feels it's better if they are cross-examined - but he should be prepared for the truth to come out.
I don't know who it will be yet, it is genuinely still being negotiated but I expect to know by the weekend.
I have been very pleased with Dennis Hobson, ... We spoke to many people about the prospect of working with them and Dennis delivered. He put his money where his mouth is and delivered the fight.
Ricky's never been interested in the business side of things, ... All Richard is interested in is boxing. Even when I could get him to come along to meetings he'd sit there and text his mates the whole time and wouldn't pay a bit of attention. After some meetings I've turned to him and said 'Do you want to know what that means?' and he's just said 'No, you deal with that, dad, I just want to fight'.
It's always been my dream to come to the United States for a big fight, ... But the paymaster likely is going to have the final say. The crowds we could generate in Manchester for say a Floyd Mayweather fight would make it difficult to go anywhere else.
It's an opportunity to become a double-weight world champion and the owner of three world titles. It is a real fight, a real title and a real opponent.
It will be a shame if it does go to court. It's not ideal preparation, but it's just making me more determined.
Over the last couple of years we have been offered deals by other promoters but we have always stayed with Frank because we like him.
Dennis has put his money where his mouth is and put this deal on the table because he said he could get me what I wanted.
I'd shout 'Hey Dan! Can I have your sausage?' and he'd nod yes. Then: 'Hey Dan, how about the bacon?' - and then the eggs, and then the toast - and he'd say 'yes, yes yes'.
Both of us don't go backwards and I think that is the key to the fight. Whoever ends up going backwards is going to lose.
I think that headband and that brylcreem and that gel on his hair will do him no good should we get it on.
What is happening is not ideal. Sometimes nothing goes smoothly in the preparation for fights, and that is when you have to show what kind of champion you are and deal with whatever is put in front of you. This is just another obstacle, and if it does go to court then I will be as equally determined to overcome it.