Hatton Q & A

Former two-division champ Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton made a triumphant visit to “Title Town USA” last night as he descended on Canastota, New York and the International Boxing Hall of Fame for an intimate gathering in his honor. Hatton is in the States on a whirlwind tour which started in Atlanta, site of his next fight against current IBF 140 lb. Champ Juan Urango. After last night's stay in Canastota, Hatton heads out to Las Vegas to take in this weekend's Barrera – Juarez rematch, then it's back home to his beloved Manchester, England. While graciously signing autographs and posing for photos with adoring fans, Hatton took the time to speak with FIGHTNEWS about his upcoming fight, his plans for conquering America and future opponents, as well as dream fights that never will be...
Ricky, Tell us about your trip to the States this time around.

Yeah, and I'm staying for the fight over the weekend.

I assume you're talking about the Marco Antonio Barerra – Rocky Juarez rematch.

Yeah, we're going to the Barrera fight over the weekend. Then we're announcing the fight with Juan Urango at Philips Arena in Atlanta, either December 9th or January 13th. We're gonna get it confirmed this weekend when I meet Kerry Davis from HBO.

So it will definitely be on HBO?

That's right, yeah.

Did you get a chance to see Urango's fight against Ben Rabbah?

Yeah, I did.

What did you feel about the decision? Respected fight people like Teddy Atlas who was ringside thought it was robbery against Ben Rabbah.

Yeah, it was close. A lot of people said after watching the video that they thought Ben Rabbah won, but at the time on the night, everyone thought Urango had won. So it depends what style you prefer- the negative boxing off the back foot of Ben Rabbah or the come forward pressure (of Urango). So you often see decisions like that because the styles are so opposite.

So given that, what type of fight do you think fans will see between you and Urango?

Well, it certainly won't be dull. He reminds me of a mini Mike Tyson style you know?

Ricky, What prompted your move back down to 140 from 147?

Ah, I was never a welterweight in the first place. Six or seven weeks before, I was due to fight Juan Lazcano and he pulled out injured. So then the only available and acceptable opponent was Luis Collazo at welterweight. I like the idea of becoming a two-weight world champion but you know, but sometimes you need two or three fights to grow into a weight division, I had seven weeks. I wouldn't change it for the world. I can always say I was a two-weight world champion, but really it was a light welterweight fighting a welterweight world champion.

So for the remainder of your career, is this the weight (140) that you'll stay at?

That's right, yeah. The only way I'd move up to welterweight is for one fight...Floyd Mayweather. I don't think he's a massive welterweight.

In another month, you're going to be 28. Will age be the deciding factor of how long you stick around this game or how long your body holds out?

I only want two or three more years anyway at the most, so...it has more to do with the amount of fights I've had. I've achieved the majority of my goals so I only need two or three years more to do the rest of the things that I want to do in the sport.

How do you see the fight coming up this Friday between Junior Witter and DeMarcus Corley?

I think Witter should win. I think Corley's a good fighter, top-10 ranked. But I think when he meets someone which is elite like a Judah or Mayweather or someone like that, he's fallen short. Witter should beat him. But if Witter fights like he did his last two fights, I don't think he will. His last two fights were very poor.

If you and Witter both come out victorious, is that match you can see in your future? It would be huge in England.

It's got a chance. It's got more than a chance. It's got more of a chance if he wins the title, but more importantly he's got to impress in the fight. He's not really a television fighter. When he fought Judah he stunk the place out. If he does likewise again and it's not a great performance, eh...he should perform for HBO to be interested. If he wins you know, he's not part of my immediate plans. My next three fights are sort of like...MAX OUT, providing I win obviously.

And who do those plans include?

Well, Urango of course. If I win, they want to match me up with Jose Luis Castillo. After that my contract with HBO will be up and I'd like to think I could renew it. The fight I'd like to renew with is Floyd Mayweather.

What if you're still at 140 and Cotto is still at 140?

(As if suddenly realizing he left an important name off the list)
Oh Cotto! Mayweather or Cotto!

Speaking of 140 lbs., by the time the fight with Urango rolls around, it'll be a good year and one or two months since you last fought at that weight (vs. Carlos Maussa). How do you envision the effort to get back down to that weight?

Nothing more than I've done in the past.

Have you had a chance yet to see the museum here on the Hall of Fame grounds?

Yeah I have. It's impressive... tremendous stuff!

How would you like to see yourself enshrined here one day?

I certainly would yeah. That's another one of my goals. For that to happen, I've gotta keep winning you know...catch some more big scalps like Castillo and another world title if I can take it from Urango. Stuff like that would help push me in that direction.

Is the goal and part of the plan to have all these fights to be in the States?

Yeah, they'll all be in the States. It's where I wanna try and make me name now. Floyd Mayweather said initially he would come to Manchester and knock me out in me backyard and stuff like that. But since I've done what I have in the last eighteen months, he's done a double shuffle, changed his mind and says he doesn't wanna come to Manchester now. So I figure I'll have to come to the States but that's not a problem from my point of view.

You've spoken before about Las Vegas being the mecca for boxers to perform. Is that still a dream of yours?

Yeah well, I've boxed in Madison Square Garden, I've boxed in Atlantic City. I wouldn't like to finish me career without fighting in Las Vegas so that's one of me goals.

Have you ever thought about dream matches between you and your predecessors in this division? How would a fight between you and Julio Cesar Chavez go?

(laughing) Brutal for as long as it lasts you know! We fight quite similar actually, body punching, stuff like that...dream fight.

How about another great champ at this weight- Aaron Pryor?

Another great champ. They are two of the best Junior Welterweights of all time really.

Well Ricky, I want to thank you for taking the time to talk with FIGHTNEWS tonight. Do you have any words for your fans about your next fight?

I'm just looking forward to being in the States again. There was a lot of circumstance why my last performance wasn't certainly what I'm used to. I'm gonna put that behind me and I think it'll be the real Ricky Hatton that will show up in December or January!

* * *

Hatton continued to sign photos and gloves for the gathered fans who braved the cold, rainy night. Upon hearing that legendary Hall of Famer Carmen Basilio was in the building, Hatton dropped everything to take a break and meet one of his idols. Ever the tough guy, the 79 year-old Basilio was his trademark self, catching an unsuspecting Hatton with a quick hook to the jaw when Ricky was reaching out to shake the legend's hand. Hatton feigned being stunned and on rubbery legs. When Basilio was informed by a fan that Hatton was the welterweight champion, he asked what Ricky weighed right now. Hatton shared with the former welter and middleweight champ that he's currently walking around at 165 lbs. Basilo barked, “You're outta shape!” As Basilio invited Hatton closer as if to impart some sage advice, he delivered two more love-tap uppercuts to Hatton's chin. Perhaps that's all the “Hitman” will need to boost his confidence going into the Urango fight!

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Think he relized he would of lost if he had stopped at 147lb with the big boys!
He is walking around at 165lb he needs to get training doesnt he if he is that big?

cc for that good read. i think hatton should of been more vocal on his plans as for what weight division he planned to fight in, this clears things up. i understand his point of views and his options and agree fully. and i honestly believe ricky will prove himself in time [not that he hasnt already] i feel he can beat both corrales n castillo and will do nxt year. cotto n mayweather im not sure but no 1 and i mean no one will have a easy nite with the hitman.

CC great read as always from Hatton although I must admit,I would be dissappointed if he fought in Jan,that would mean he only fought once this year,that is not good for someone who a} wants to retire in the near future and b.}wants to cement a great legacy!

Ricky has gone on record in saying his fighting weight is 140lbs. The only reason he took the Collazo fight was the fact all opponents that were lined up originally were either pricing themselves out of the fight or picked up an injury close to the date.

As Rick has a contract with HBO, it was them that wished this fight to take place, therfore he had to take it. Now considering he took the fight at short notice, had to jump 7lbs in weight ( which has to be the hardest move to make for a boxer in any weight divison ) and to take on a southpaw, that was also a world champion, in his first big fight in the states, then i feel he done himself proud. I honestly cannot see the likes of Mayweather taking such a risky fight overseas.

I personally see Ricky plying his trade in the 140lbs division untill he retires, except maybe for Mayweather, if he dare take the fight.

;)

That was a great read cool click for you littlebif , thanks for that, most enjoyable.

its totally pissing me off that him n mayweather dont fight, they should actulli be made to haha, or they need don king to offer them each 12 million or something :P then they can bugger off to zaire or something, dont rly care as long as they fight haha