Rugby League stars Paul Johnson, Adrian Morley and Martin Gleeson took time out ahead of their crunch Gillette Tri Nations match with Australia on Saturday to see first hand how Ricky Hatton was preparing ahead of his “Unification’ fight in Sheffield with Carlos Maussa.

Click for larger image

Hatton, the IBF Light Welterweight World Champion, faces WBA Champ Maussa at the Hallam FM Arena on Saturday 26th November, and the Great Britain lads were certainly impressed with the “Hitman’s’ condition, after being invited along to meet Hatton courtesy of the event promoters, Fight Academy.

Adrian Morley said: “It was superb to come along and see Ricky in training. He looks in fantastic shape and as a fellow professional sportsman I can appreciate the hard work and dedication that he shows ahead of every fight.chester lad myself I’ve followed Ricky closely and I’m sure he’ll get past the hurdle of Maussa, and continue his bid to unify the Light Welterweight division.”

Paul Johnson added: “We do similar aspects of Ricky’s training but to see him first hand was superb. I have great respect for him – rugby league is a tough sport like boxing but we have other blokes out there with us, for Ricky there is no one else around once you enter the ring.”

Martin Gleeson concluded: “Ricky was a top bloke and I’d like to wish him all the best for the Maussa fight. It’s the same night as the Tri Nations Final at Elland Road so hopefully we’ll have our own reason to celebrate that evening too. The Final will be finished before Ricky takes to the ring, and Sheffield is obviously only down the road from Leeds, so hopefully we’ll be there to cheer him on.”

Fans can still guarantee their tickets for Ricky Hatton’s fight with Carlos Maussa by calling the Hallam FM Arena box office on 0114 256 5656 or online at www.hallamfmarena.co.uk.

Picture caption: (left to right) Paul Johnson, Martin Gleeson, Ricky Hatton and Adrian Morley get in the ring ahead of the “Hitman’s’ Unification fight with Carlos Maussa.

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