Bearing The Weight Of Hatton’s American Boxing Gatecrash

WBA Light Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton’s strength trainer and nutritionist Kerry Kayes is one of the world’s preeminent bodybuilding coaches. The Manchester, England native’s usual assignment of making Hatton as strong as possible for each fight developed an added dimension when it was announced that “The Hitman” would go up in weight to challenge reigning WBA Welterweight kingpin Luis Collazo on Saturday, May 13 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA.

Click for larger image © Team Hatton

“A lot of people have asked me is it going to be easier for Ricky to make 140 pounds instead of 147,” said Kayes. “My answer is a very simple no. It would be easier if we were having a light welterweight with an extra seven pounds of body fat on but we don’t want that. What we’ve done is deliver a 140 pound fighter with what I hope will be five pounds of extra muscle.”

By the time Hatton climbs through the ropes, he has historically outweighed opponents by as much as two weight classes. Surprisingly, Kayes reveals that the Mancunian will likely scale the same in the ring on May 13 against Luis Collazo as he did competing as a light welter. “Ricky fights well at about 156 or 157 pounds, and fought Kostya Tszyu at that weight” stated the ex-bodybuilding champ. “Although it’s ultimately up to trainer Billy Graham, Ricky will probably get into the ring against Collazo at the same body weight but with more muscle.”

Eager to clear up misconceptions that fans may have concerning Hatton’s move up to a heavier class, Kayes makes the situation clear. “A lot of people think that Ricky has gone up to welter because he can’t make 140 pounds anymore, but the Collazo fight was the only available, sellable contest that the TV companies wanted,” he said “If the powers that be decide that they want Ricky at light welter for the next fight, then light welter is what he’ll be and he’ll make the weight just as easy as he’s always made it.”

Team Hatton is taking nothing for granted but Kayes can only see one outcome when Hatton and Collazo meet in Boston on May 13. “I believe that boxing is 20 to 30% pushing, shoving and grappling,” said the coach. “The more that percentage is employed in a fight, the more the advantage goes to the stronger man and I think without a doubt that Ricky Hatton will be the stronger fighter against Collazo. A lot of people give me a pat on the back because Ricky is powerful in the ring, but all I’ve done is make a strong man stronger. He’s a fantastic boxer and underestimated in a few departments, but in reality, one of Ricky’s major advantages is his bullish strength”

Fight Academy and Banner Promotions present the Ricky Hatton – Luis Collazo WBA Welterweight title clash held on Saturday, May 13 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com