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
I've got a lot to prove because of the criticism over my weight and moving back down a division.
It's unbelievable really. For something that started off as a hobby, I ended up getting paid for doing it.
If you want to watch two guys knock hell out of each other, watch us.
I was leaving the hotel to get to the fight when my phone went and someone said 'Hello Ricky, it's Tom'. I said 'Tom who?' and when he said 'Tom Jones' I told him to eff off! I thought it was a wind-up!
He's won't push me back on the night and he certainly wasn't going to push me back up there.
Dad's tiny - his passport picture is a full-length shot. He looks like he just hopped off a key ring. Mum is a different matter, she's a bit of a handful to say the least. I love her more than anyone on this Earth. But she's a monster.
Winning the IBF title was the greatest night of my life. To give it up outside the ring is truly painful.
I'm a Mancunian born and bred and I feel I'm no different to the man in the crowd and it's nice to reward them. I want to become a great champion.
I had to come to the United States to prove myself. I fought for a long time in England and a lot of people thought I was a protected fighter.
It was just 12 months ago that I was the one doing the chasing and looking for all the big names. I guess now I'm universally recognized as No. 1 in the division and they're all looking for me. To be in a position where I can pick my opponents, wow, that's a fighter's dream, really.
I'll go gentle on him, ... I promise not to rough him up too much. I just think him saying stuff like that is just him. He's like the Junior Witter of America, he hasn't got a good word to say about anyone expect himself. Personality wise, he's very different to me, that's for sure.
As an amateur, I couldn't get many fights. No one would fight me when I was a schoolboy.
It's still one of the proudest moments in my career boxing at Madison Square Garden. Some fighters who have won titles and championships have never boxed at Madison Square Garden. For a little kid just off a council estate to do it was a dream come true.
I have no fear in moving up (in weight) and fighting.