Boxing News Boxing News
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When I arrived at the Town Hall in Manchester on Friday at around 10.00 am, fans had already started to gather outside in Albert Square – despite the fact that Ricky Hatton was not scheduled to appear outside until 12.00 midday and despite the fact that it was raining.
Inside, amongst the media in attendance were boxers, which included Amir Khan, John Murray, Paul Smith and Jane Couch, along with Carol and Matthew Hatton and a number of people from the boxing community.
Oscar De La Hoya entered the Town Hall down the central red-carpeted aisle grinning and clearly enjoying the occasion. Ricky “Hitman” Hatton followed, waving a Union Jack Flag as “Rule Britannia” rang out around the hall accompanied by rowdy applause and cheers from onlookers. Next came Floyd Mayweather with his usual confidence but he wasn’t wearing as much bling today!
The top table consisted of (from the left) Adam Smith for Sky Sports, HBO’s Kerry Davis, Floyd Mayweather and then on the other side of the podium was Ricky Hatton, Billy Graham, Ray Hatton and Charlie Giles of the British Boxing Board of Control. Oscar stood for the duration in the middle.
There was no question and answer session with the press today and, as is usual, the majority of the talking was saying “Thank you” to a number of people, mainly sponsors, promoters, TV companies…etc.
Billy Graham spoke about the first time he’d seen Ricky as a young lad and he’d said straight away that “one day he’ll be the undisputed Champion of the World… I said he’d win against Kostya Tszyu, when everyone doubted us, and he won! And now I’m telling you, he’s going to win against Floyd Mayweather!”
The four man band that accompanied Hatton to Las Vegas was there to support him inside the hall and Oscar was delighted to start them off on “There’s only one Ricky Hatton”
Ricky thanked his supporters, saying he was sorry that there were only 3900 tickets for British fans but that he’ heard there would be about 20,000 fans going over to Vegas anyway. “I’m gonna do you proud,” he said.
Ricky gave Floyd credit, saying that he was the best pound for pound fighter in the world then he thanked Mayweather “for giving me the opportunity to take what he’s got”.
Ricky had spent the week enduring a verbal winding up from Floyd and had handled it in his normal mature, cool way, refusing to be drawn into a public slanging match with the so-called “Pretty Boy”. But today was HIS day, in HIS beloved Manchester with HIS fans and Floyd was going to get some verbal back!
As Floyd danced along in front of the podium, waving a Union Jack Flag, Ricky quipped “If that’s how you’re gonna dance on that Dancing programme you’ve got no fucking chance, mate! Everyone was laughing, including Rick’s mum, Carol Hatton, who sat behind me.
“It’s been a tiring week,” Ricky continued, I’ve missed my son, but I’ve spent the week with another fucking six year old! gesturing to Floyd. Ricky rolled his eyes in exasperation as the crowd laughed again, yeah, WOW, he said, that’s all I can say about that…WOW.”
“You know, Floyd’s been trying to wind me up all week with the comments, but I just gotta tell you mate, you’re pissing in the wind !” Ricky spoke looking directly at Floyd. Floyd found this amusing and slapped his hand down on the table in front of him as he laughed.
Floyd donned a Manchester United shirt before he spoke. He talked about his fans and Ricky’s fans and said that at the end of the day it was just the two of them in the ring. “I want you to bring over 20,000 fans, in fact, bring the whole country over!”
Golden Boy President Richard Schaefer made comparisons between the two fighters: “Floyd has been a world champion for nine years, Ricky’s been one for two years. Floyd is a five weight division champion and Ricky is a two weight division champion.” But Schaefer also said he thought it would be a great fight.
Outside, Oscar and Ricky addressed the hundreds of fans who stood under a sea of brollies. Ricky thanked them for their support and was visibly choked that so many had turned out for him and were getting soaked through in the, now very heavy, rain.
Oscar said publicly that he thought Ricky would win and the crowd cheered their support.
When Floyd took to the stage it was a very different atmosphere. I was standing inside then but could see plastic bottles, flags, rubbish – in fact anything (!) being thrown at the stage where Floyd stood.
The crowds had been watching the press conference on the big screens provided outside the Town Hall and they clearly didn’t like some of Floyds comments. Mayweather stormed back inside the Town Hall shouting about what he was going to do to Ricky.
The Pretty Boy was pretty angry!
Hatton Mayweather fight tickets are still available at RazorGator.com See our tickets guide for more information to get you in.
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