Last UK Appearance For Hatton Before Launcing Boxing Invasion On America!
***FULL AUDIO COVERAGE AND PHOTOS***
Click for larger image © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Ricky Hatton was in a relaxed mood today when he arrived for a Fight Academy press conference at the home of his beloved football team, the City of Manchester Stadium. Due to fly out to Boston this weekend, Ricky was happy to talk to the media about his jump up to welterweight to take on the WBA Champion Luis Collazo of Brooklyn.
At the press conference table, facing the media were (from left to right) Hatton’s trainer Billy Graham, Ray Hatton, Ricky Hatton, Fight Academy promoter Robert Waterman, IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Clinton Woods, Fight Academy promoter Dennis Hobson, Woods’ trainer Richard Poxon and Gareth Williams.
Unfortunately, the legendary Don King, Collazo’s promoter, was unable to attend due to his wife’s illness.
Former European Super Bantam titlist Esham Pickering was also not at the press conference as it was announced this week that he had sustained an injury and was unable to challenge for the IBF Featherweight title against champion Valdemir Pereira.
The majority of the media present seemed more interested in whether Ricky would be “allowed” to contest for the WBA title or not. This is regard to whether or not the Hatton – Collazo bout will be sanctioned by the WBA as there are disputes by third parties who claim that their fighters are due title shots instead of Hatton. According to Dennis Hobson, Fight Academy would know the decision this week, though Team Hatton were confident that there would be no problem.
Afterwards, Ricky laughed while he was photographed ‘taking tea’
Click for larger image © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Listen to to full conference below…
[audio:Hatton-Woods-conference.mp3]
