© Paul Speak

Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton is at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas today to lend support to WBC Super Featherweight Champion Marco Antonio Barrera, who faces rugged challenger Rocky Juarez in a rematch to their bout earlier this year. Ricky has been in

Vegas since Thursday when Marco was excited to see his old friend and both Team Hatton and Team Barrera relaxed and talked about Marco's big fight with Juarez.

Yesterday, Ricky attended the weigh in for the Barrera v Juarez fight where Marco looked very confident and strong at the weight. Following the weigh in, Ricky and Team Hatton were honored to be guests of Marco, his team and his family for a private meal at the MGM.

Tonight, Hatton will be ringside showing his support for the "Baby Faced Assassin", as the highlight to what has been a busy week in America for the English Mexican.

Ricky had flown to Atlanta, Georgia this past Sunday in advance of his next fight, which is expected to be against Juan Urango in Atlanta,Georgia in January 2007 for the IBF Light Welterweight title.On arrival he was met by another old friend and star of the Television show "The Contender", Ebo Elder.

Later that same night, Ricky and Team Hatton, including his promoter Dennis Hobson, were guests of Ebo and his father Greg Elder for dinner in downtown Atlanta. Monday saw Team Hatton check out the two main stadiums in Atlanta, the 76,000 seat Atlanta Dome and the Phillips Arena, which seats 18,000.

Team Hatton also checked out some local boxing gyms, including the Crunch Gym as well as Ebo Elder's training facility. Tuesday saw Ricky have lunch with the Atlanta press at Chops Restaurant.

On Wednesday, Ricky visited the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY. Ricky assisted with a fund raising reception which saw him donate $1,000.00 towards an extension of the Hall. Former Welterweight and Middleweight World Champion Carmen Basilio attended the occasion to welcome Ricky, who hopes to one day be elected to the hallowed institution.

Thursday saw Ricky return to the Hall of Fame where a cast was taken of his fist. This will form part of the already extensive collection of hand casts at the Hall.

Viva Barrera!

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