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It took Ricky Hatton three seconds to decide to turn down a six figure offer to appear on Celebrity Big Brother – and now he says sibling Matthew, 25, doesn’t need his big brother watching over him, either.
“Magic’ Matthew – 3 years younger than his world champion brother – steps up in class on the undercard of Ricky’s big Las Vegas debut Saturday night to take on Frank Houghtaling over 12 rounds. It is the biggest fight of the younger Hatton’s six year career and a chance for him to begin to etch his own reputation separate and distinct from his famous brother.
“Matthew is a good fighter in his own right,” said the Hitman. “He doesn’t need his big brother to do his fighting for him and he doesn’t need to make a reputation off of my name either. He’s going to achieve big things all on his own just like he’s already started to$.”
Matthew added: “Of course I’m very lucky to be fighting on a huge bill in Las Vegas at this stage of my career but I think I’m earned the right to step up to 12 round level and I think it is time that I take on a top level American journeyman like Houghtaling .
“I’m waiting for a shot at the British Title back home and if I can be impressive against a man who gave (former world champion) Sharmba Mitchell a hard time I think that will take me to the next level as a fighter.”
Hatton junior’s fight is the first on the bill here at the Paris Hotel, and will kick off at 4:45PM in the afternoon, more than three hours before Ricky will be gloved up for his showdown with IBF junior welter king Juan Urango.
And that timetable suits the battling brothers just fine.
Ricky said: “That gives me plenty of time to watch him hopefully score one of the biggest wins of his career and then settle my nerves down from watching Matthew to getting prepared for my own fight. I have always got more nervous for Matthew’s fights than my own and he does for me. But then we think of our poor mum and dad who have to go through this twice in one night.”
Matthew added: “Three hours between my fight and Ricky’s means that I’ll have chance to get back (in the changing rooms) and get showered and join me mum and dad to watch Ricky win another world title.”
Ricky Hatton takes on IBF 140lbs champion Juan Urango at the Paris Hotel this Saturday, Jan 20, live on HBO in the US and Sky Box Office in Britain.
