Open Letter from Stevie Johnston to Ricky Hatton

ByBoxing Press

Dear Ricky,

I have all the respect in the world for you and what you’ve accomplished in
boxing. You are a true champion with a big heart. I’m writing this letter to
call you on some of the comments you made a few weeks ago as a guest on
ESPN.

You said that you’ve come to America to train and fight, let the American
public have a chance to see you in action, and test your skills against the
best fighters America has to offer in your weight class.

I am the best available light welterweight contender in America, bar none.
Floyd (Mayweather) is moving up to fight Zab (Judah), forget about Chop Chop
(Corley). He’s had three title shots in the last three years and lost them
all to (Miguel) Cotto, Mayweather and Judah.

You didn’t come all the way to the United States to fight a non-American,
did you? If you sincerely want to fight the best American light welterweight
May 13 at Foxwoods, on HBO, well, I’m the man!

Check out my pedigree: I’m the present 140-pound IBO champion. I held the
WBC lightweight belt twice between 1997 and 2000 with seven successful title
defenses. I’ve beaten six world champions — Sharmba Mitchell, Jean
Ba[tiste Mendy, Saul Duran, Cesar Bazan, Angel Manfredy and James Page –
seven if you include Jose Luis Castillo. I really beat him, but they changed
it to a draw a half-hour after the fight ended.

You’re tough, real tough, but I’ve overcome a car accident that could have
killed me. It kept me out of the ring for 2 ½ years. I went right through
the windshield and had to have more than 100 stitches in my face.

First, I read that you were going to fight Juan Lazcano, who ended up
breaking his finger in training, and now I’ve heard you’re going to fight a
mandatory defense against (Naoufel Ben) Rabah. I thought you wanted to fight
the best American? Lazcano’s from Mexico, Rabah’s Australian.

I was born and raised in Denver (CO) and now live in Vero Beach (FL). You
can’t get any more American than me. I’ll wear red, white and blue trunks
with stars and stripes if you like. Whatever it takes to get you in the
ring, let’s get it on.

Styles make fights. Hatton-Johnston is a classic match-up. You’re a power
puncher; I’m a boxer. You’ve never fought anybody like me. I’ll show you
things you’ve never seen before. HBO loves me. Boxing fans all over the
world know what I bring every time I go up those three steps.

Ricky, it’s time for you to back up what you said on television. Are you
“The Hitman,” or “The Hidden Man?” Accept my challenge, Ricky, or go back to
England with your tail between your legs.

Respectfully yours,

Stevie “Lil’ But Bad” Johnston

Silverhawk Boxing challenges Fight Academy for Hatton-Johnston fight

LAS VEGAS (March 20, 2006) – Silverhawk Boxing, on behalf of former two-time
world champion Stevie “Lil’ But Bad” Johnston, has issued a challenge to
Fight Academy for a title fight May 13 at Foxwoods Resort Casino against IBF
& WBA junior welterweight champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.

“I’m personally asking Hatton’s promoters, Dennis Hobson and Robert
Waterman, to accept our challenge for Hatton to defend his belts against
America’s top junior welterweight contender, Stevie Johnston,” Silverhawk
Boxing owner Dennis Rider said. “Stevie’s beaten the world’s best fighters
the
last 10 years and he’s proven to be most deserving of a world title shot
against Hatton.

“Styles make fights and Hatton-Johnston would be a classic puncher-boxer
match between two world-class, champion fighters. The public wants to see
Hatton in against an opponent who isn’t just going to stand in front of him.
Stevie Johnston is the answer.”

For more information about Silverhawk Boxing visit its web site at
www.silverhawkboxing.com.