HATTON v CASTILLO thread... (constantly updated with pics and interviews etc)

The fight is nearly here so here's some recent pics of The Hitman sparring 8)
http://www.rickyhitmanhatton.com/for...?topic=15665.0
Thanks to Gibbo at www.rickyhitmanhatton.co.uk ;)

In the high-pressure atmosphere of Manchester sport, Ricky Hatton and Wayne Rooney would seem unlikely friends. Hatton is the world’s No 1 light-welterweight and an unflinching City fan, Rooney is England and Manchester United’s top striker. Somewhere between Rooney’s love of boxing, Hatton’s love of football and their joint love of a night out, the red and blue rivalry became irrelevant and the two became firm friends.

So much so that Hatton has chosen Rooney, as well as Marco Antonio Barrera, the Mexican three-weight world champion, to carry his IBO and The Ring belts to the ring when he faces José Luis Castillo in Las Vegas on June 23. The decision has not gone down well with some of his regular fans.

“I can’t stand Man United, but just because I don’t support their team doesn’t mean I don’t admire them as players,” Hatton, who has an executive box at the City of Manchester Stadium, said.

“A few City fans have asked if it’s true Wayne’s carrying the belt in, and when I’ve said ‘Yeah’, they’ve said ‘Oh, well we ain’t going’. I see where they’re coming from, because nobody probably hates United more than me, but really they are not Ricky Hatton fans then, are they?

“When I fight I do it for Manchester in general whether you’re City or United. I am quite pally with some of the players from United, half of the team were in the gym the other week, but come derby day I hope we kick them all over the pitch.

“I will have a little chuckle when Wayne carries the belt out to Blue Moon.”

Rooney comes from boxing stock. He went to an amateur club in Liverpool as a teenager and sparred, but when the potential in his feet was beginning to be realised, Everton made it clear that they did not want the risk of him getting injured in the ring.

“I boxed with his cousin, Richie Rooney, when I went to Russia with England Schoolboys,” Hatton said. “Graham, his brother, was an amateur boxer. The whole family are big boxing fans. He was made up when I asked him.

“I like Wayne’s attitude. For him to remain the way he is is as impressive as anything. Wayne’s in the spotlight every day. He’s like me in the sense that he has no airs and graces. In the day of celebrity nobodies who haven’t achieved anything, Wayne, with everything he’s got, is so grounded – that’s what I like about him.

I always admired Hatton's attitude. He is going for a more regal ring entrance this time. Always a good fellow, he will probably lose this fight against Castillo. The Mexican is at least slightly better in every department, unless stamina tips to Hatton.

CC Smash - I'll have a proper look later

HATTON GIVEN EDGE OVER JOSE www.skysports.com
Wednesday 30th May 2007

Boxing 'Golden Boy' Enrique Colin Reyes believes Ricky Hatton has what it takes to beat Jose Luis Castillo when the pair meet in June.

Hatton and Castillo face one another in Las Vegas on June 23 in a much anticipated fight between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing, and Reyes gives The Hitman the edge.

Castillo, known for his aggressive style and a record of 55 wins, including 47 knock-outs, seven loses and one draw, is expected to offer Hatton one of his toughest fights to date.

But Reyes, who boxes under Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy promotion, has been sparring with Hatton in Manchester ahead of the fight and he feels the Mancunian has the attributes to win.

Reyes, who has a professional record of 29 wins and 3 loses, is better placed than most to offer an opinion as the Mexican also trains with Castillo in the Creea Gymnasio in Tijuana.

"Hatton is very, very, strong. I have been a professional fighter for eight years, and I have never sparred with someone as strong as him," Reyes told The Daily Telegraph.

"The way Hatton comes forward makes him a monster. I would give him the edge over Castillo in this fight.

"Hatton is a real Machista fighter, who is much stronger physically than Castillo, who has all the shots, and can box more.

"The styles mean it will be a great fight. We already refer to Hatton as 'the White Mexican' and he fights with the heart of a Mexican Warrior," Reyes added.

Hatton has been pushing himself through some of the most effective training of his career ahead of the bout as he looks to wow a large Mexican boxing fan base.

The IBF light-welterweight champion, unbeaten in 42 fights, will be keen to impress after regaining his title in stuttering style against Juan Urango in January.

http://www.itv-boxing.com/News/Story...158587,00.html

Saw this Smash...thought it'd be important to the thread ;)

Hatton slams 'so called experts'

Ricky Hatton has hit back at those who have 'the cheek' to say he's past his peak and that the end of his career is approaching quickly.

With his Las Vegas bout against Jose Luis Castillo on June 23 looming large, it appears the 'The Hitman' needs to prove a growing number of doubters wrong with an impressive victory if he's to stand a chance of putting himself in the frame to take on either Floyd Mayweather or Oscar De La Hoya.

Since his sensational year in 2005, when he dramatically defeated world number one Kostya Tszyu inside a packed MEN Arena before becoming the first man to legitimately knock out Carlos Maussa in their IBF and WBA light-welterweight unification bout in Sheffield, the 28-year-old from Hyde has been below par.

Despite beating Luis Collazo and Juan Urango in his two most recent bouts, critics claim the scrappy nature of these triumphs indicate his best years might be behind him.

However Hatton, who puts his IBO light-welterweight title on the line against Castillo, has shrugged off the pressure and insists some critics just don't understand the sport.

Asked if he felt extra pressure, he told sportinglife.com: "No not really. Only to prove to myself.

"A lot of the doubters obviously don't know their boxing because since the Kostya Tszyu fight I've won four world titles in my last three fights in two weight divisions and some people have the cheek to say I've had a stuttering last few years really. And I think that's nonsense.

"Anybody knows that you can't fight a Kostya Tszyu every time you fight and likewise the last couple of opponents I've had have been southpaws and tricky so I've not really had the best of opponents to shine in.

"You'd expect these so-called experts to notice that. But sometimes they don't."

Hatton accepts a thrilling fight is almost as essential as victory against Castillo if he's to make that final step to the very top.

He said: "If you have a fight, even though you may win, and you stink the place out then obviously not as many people are going to come and watch you next time. Every time you fight you're putting yourself in the shop window if you like and it's very important that you win and win in style."

And if he can deliver the goods at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, then he can't see any reason why Mayweather or De La Hoya wouldn't want to face him.

He said: "If they still want to continue fighting on then they would be massive scalps should I take them. I think they would see me as a big draw now with the amounts of tickets I sell, the following I have and how exciting I am to watch and stuff like that.

"So when you think of who is out there, a big name and an attraction who De La Hoya or Mayweather would like to fight then I would hope I'd be up there amongst them."

Recently even Hatton's trainer Billy Graham has warned his star pupil to call it quits soon and avoid ending his career beaten on the mat.

But while 'The Hitman' admits there might only be three years of his fighting career left, he's adamant there's no point constraining himself by setting a final date yet.

"I don't want to say I've got one fight left in me or six fights left in me. I think a fighter knows when they've reached their peak and their best and I think it would be an easy decision for me to make.

"I know a lot of fighters go on past it but I'm not going to start contemplating retiring when I know how well I'm performing in the gym and I know how much I'm improving still," he said.

"I mean Billy himself and everyone in the team including my brother and my father know I'm still improving so I can't consider stopping while I continue to do so."

Nice one ;)
Anyone else heard the rumour that A certain Noel Gallager from Oasis will be walking him to the ring as well as Wayne Rooney 8)

WONDERBRAWL
Submitted by eugmc on 24 May, 2007 - 8:37am.

FOOTBALL ace Wayne Rooney is facing a wonderbrawl with Oasis legend Noel Gallagher in the boxing ring.

The sworn soccer enemies will each carry title belts for world champ Ricky Hatton when he fights in Las Vegas next month.

Manchester United star Wayne, 21, and guitarist Noel, 39, are both massive fans of ring king Ricky, 28.

They leapt at the chance to accompany him into the ring for his IBO light welterweight world title fight against Mexico’s Jose Luis Castillo on June 23.

But rivalry could flare between United striker Wayne and Manchester City fan Noel.

“We hope the main fight takes place inside the ring – and doesn’t involve Wayne or Noel,” said a boxing insider.
http://www.oasis-news.com/ ;)


Check this site 8)

Ricky's Promoters Banner have lauched an official website for the up and coming event.
click on the link for more http://www.gladiatorsthefight.com/portal/

Hatton arrives in Vegas (video)

http://www.gladiatorsthefight.com/portal/

Castillo finishes sparring
www.fightnews.com

Two-time lightweight world champion Jose Luis "El Temible" Castillo will have his final day of sparring this Thursday as he puts on the final touches to his preparation for his mega fight against British Ricky Hatton on June 23 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Castillo has being training in Tijuana for the past six weeks under the watchful eye of veteran trainer Romulo Quirarte who took Manuel "Mantecas" Medina to five world titles in the featherweight division. "I feel great here in Tijuana. We have worked very hard for this fight and it will show on June 23 when I take on the "Hitman" Ricky Hatton," said Castillo from the CREA GYM (Located in the Zona Rio of Tijuana. Castillo will arrive in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 19th. Promoted by Banner Promotions and Fight Academy in association with Top Rank, the 12-round Hatton-Castillo rumble will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10PM ET/7PM PT.

Check here for constant updates on Hatton v Castillo

http://www.gladiatorsthefight.com/po...nt/view/59/43/

Hatton's trainer Billy Graham speaks

Ricky Hatton’s trainer Billy Graham believes that Jose Luis Castillo will bring the best out of the “Hitman” when the two meet in Las Vegas on June 23rd.

Graham believes the old adage of “styles make fights” will be shown when the two meet.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Graham said: “I am expecting Castillo to bring out the best in him, but Ricky will also bring out the best in Castillo. Their styles will gel and the fans are in for a real treat.”

Graham also blasted the critics who have slammed Hatton’s performances since beating Kostya Tszyu over two years ago, saying: “When he was a kid I told him he would be judged very harshly by the press because of how talented he is. But they have taken it to the extreme. I can’t believe some of the negative things that have been said.”

Since that win over Tszyu, Hatton has stopped Carlos Maussa for the WBA light welterweight title, he stepped up to welterweight to outpoint WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo, and last time out he claimed the IBF light welterweight title by outpointing Juan Urango on his Las Vegas debut.

Some sections of the media have stated that Hatton is past his peak, and his peak fight was that against Tszyu, but Graham disagreed and said the critics would be proved wrong when Hatton fights Castillo. Graham said: “He is really fired up for this fight. It hurts him when he gets panned by the critics after doing everything right. He should have been praised for his last three performances - all difficult opponents and one of them at a higher weight.”

Graham spoke of how the British fans and critics should get behind Hatton, saying: “He is the best ambassador British boxing has ever had, and I also believe he is the best fighter British boxing has ever had. Anyone who can’t get 100% behind Ricky Hatton has something wrong with them.”

Meanwhile, Hatton has been in Las Vegas this week promoting the fight. He was pictured traveling down the strip on an open top bus and speaking to reporters and fans outside the Caesars Palace resort.

WE ARE IN FOR A REAL TREAT FROM SETANTA
FULL FIGHT SCHEDULE 8)
www.rickyhitmanhatton.com
The following programming will be on Setanta Sports 1 in the week Leading up the Ricky v Castillo

Daily from 18th June to 23rd June at 7.30pm "Ricky Hatton Hits Vegas" this will feature interviews/press conference/access to training camp/Weigh in etc. Programmes will be repeated at 9.30pm that night, then 12.30 the following lunch time.

The full fights of the following bouts below) will be shown at the following times:
Ricky V Carlos Maussa
18th June - 8pm
19th June - 12:50pm

Castillo V Corrales (the first one)
19th June - 7.50pm
20th June - 12:50pm

Castillo V Corrales (the rematch)
20th June - 7.50pm
21st June - 1.20pm

Cotto v Judah
20th June - 11.20pm

"Hatton Hits Las Vegas" a documentary on Ricky and his trip to Vegas and other bits and pieces -
21st June - 11.30pm

Programming on the night will follow a full evening of USPGA Golf and the Boxing Coverage will start at 11pm on Saturday 23rd.

The first repeat for those who are too tired/gassed to see/remember is 10.30 on the Sunday morning.

There may be slight changes to the programming schedule and more information can be found here

http://gb.setanta.com/portal/systemc...b&dateadjust=7

There is a special offer running at the moment on the setanta website www.setanta.com/hatton or by calling before midnight on the 17th, pay for 1 month and get 3 months viewing taking you through the first month or so of the football season. There is NO contract associated with the offer.. There are slight variations for Ireland/Northern Ireland and Freeview on the offer, but as a whole its all the same deal.

Info courtesy of PJ

Disclaimer
The contents of this post are not officially linked to Setanta Sport in any way.

Gotta say that Ricky looks in the shape of his life if anyones been following the Setanta Sports build up ;)

www.sportinglife.com

Billy Graham on Ricky's Fitness
Ricky Hatton is completing preparations for Saturday night's Las Vegas super-fight against Jose Luis Castillo with a frightening intensity which lends weight to trainer Billy Graham's claim that he will answer the opening bell in the best shape of his career.

Graham believes Hatton has been determined to push himself beyond his normal boundaries not only by the prospect of facing the fearsome Castillo, but also by the desire to revert to type after two relatively unimpressive recent performances.

Graham, who has been putting Hatton through his final paces at Zuffa's gym on West Sahara Avenue this week, said: "Ricky won his last two fights in difficult circumstances but this time he finds himself under more pressure to perform.

"People have come to expect Ricky's fights to be about constant excitement but they have got to understand that sometimes it is impossible if you are fighting a slick southpaw or if you are not feeling 100%.

"But this time Ricky is looking the best I have ever seen him. He is faster and sharper and I am convinced this is the kind of fight that will bring out the best of both of them. Their styles are going to gel and I have a feeling it is going to be a really special night."

Castillo is a man after Graham's heart. A keen student of the fight game, Graham grew up watching films of some of the great Mexican fighters and it is a source of great pride to him that Hatton would look as much at home in a seething Azteca Stadium as the MEN Arena back home.

Graham added: "I love all the Mexican fighters, especially the great bantamweights, so being involved in a fight like this is really exciting for me. Guys like Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate and of course Julio Cesar Chavez are my idols.

"The best in Mexico is usually the best in the world. They're so entertaining and passionate. It is the ultimate thing for me to be able to say that the guy I train is as good as any Mexican fighter out there."

Any criticism of Hatton's recent performances is unwarranted, according to Romulo Quirarte, Graham's opposite number in the Castillo corner who was previously involved in the career of Chavez and also led Manuel Medina to five world title wins.

Hatton moved up to dethrone WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo via a narrow points verdict in Boston last year before making his Las Vegas debut with a one-sided if largely frustrating points win over Juan Urango in his last fight in January.

But veteran Quirarte spoke for many Mexican fight figures this week when he paid a glowing tribute to Hatton, and admitted Castillo - who at 33 may be fighting for his own pay-per-view future - is facing one of his toughest fights.

Quirarte said: "Hatton is a complete fighter, a proven champion. The key word with Hatton is 'fighter', because he has a real shock about his punches and a great desire in his body every time he fights.

"We have a great respect for Hatton and we know this is going to be one of Jose Luis's hardest fights. It is going to be like a chess game with warriors, unleashing all their pieces and armoury in attack.

"We know Hatton will never take a step backwards when he is under attack. He has a great heart. That is why he is like a Mexican in style.

We have worked twice as hard as we would normally to get things right for this fight."

[youtube=425,350]f5A0sbJKp44&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Esaddoboxing%2E com%2Fboxing%5Fforum%2Findex%2Ephp%2Ftopic%2C49442 %2E0%2Ehtml[/youtube]

Weigh is (Vegas time) today at 14.30 hours

Anyone see Ricky on the Scales..? Looking chisled and ready for war 8)