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Ricky Hatton grew up in a large, grim council estate on the edge of Manchester known as Hattersley. The development was built in the 1960’s, intended as a large overspill estate by the Manchester City council.
As a small boy, he trained in the basement of the pub he and his family lived in and to this day, returns there on a regular basis to spend time with the people who reside on the estate. Despite the sometimes threadbare conditions they find themselves in, the people of Hattersley are warm, generous, funny, straight forwardly honest and most of all, hardworking.
Even after years of success, Ricky Hatton is still a Hattersley kid, carrying around all the attributes. It’s this attitude that has shocked the American press as they are coming to know “The Hitman” this weekend in Las Vegas as Hatton prepares to challenge Juan Urango for his old IBF 140 lb title.
SaddoBoxing caught up with Ricky in this exclusive interview that shows just how much his roots mean to him and why he will always mention his gratitude to his fan base and the responsibility he feels towards any fans that take the time and effort to watch him fight.
SaddoBoxing: You’re obviously busy, so just a few quick questions; how to do you feel about the massive amount of fans that have followed you over here from England?
Ricky Hatton: “All the people from my hometown of Manchester have been saving up for years, waiting to watch me fight in Las Vegas. The lift I’m getting from all the British fans here is just unbelievable and I just want to give them good value for money.”
SB: So many times you have talked about wanting to fight here in Las Vegas, how is it to be so close to doing so?
RH: “I’ve been asking for the last 4 or 5 years to fight over here but it’s only in the last 18 months that it’s even started to happen that I might actually fight in Vegas, so I’m living my dream.”
SB: Thanks for taking the time Ricky, any final thoughts?
RH: “I came from fighting in working men’s clubs, social clubs, in and around Manchester, to now having my name up in lights on the strip here in Las Vegas. I’m very fortunate. From where I come from on the council estate, it’s a proud moment for myself, my family and friends.
“We’ve been promised for years that I would be able to fight in Vegas and all my friends from back home have been putting away 5 – 10 pounds a week during that time, waiting for this. It’s just incredible to me that 2000 – 3000 of my fans have come over here to support me and I’m going to give them a great fight. I can’t wait to get in the ring.”
