29.12.06 – With less than a month to go before his IBF title clash with Juan Urango in Las Vegas, Ricky Hatton is just eight and a half pounds above the light welter 140 lb weight limit. “Ricky officially weighed in at ten stone eight and a half pounds (148.5 lb) last week,” said father/manager Ray Hatton. “He’s well in front of schedule from what he normally is a month away from a fight. Ricky is out to prove a point as a lot of people said that they didn’t think he’d make the ten stone (140 lb) limit. He’s actually busted his weight schedule wide open.”
Another point the Hattons will have to prove is whether or not Ricky can compete in America, in light of a victorious but decidedly rocky showing against Luis Collazo in Boston last May. “We’re not ashamed to admit that we cut a few corners during the Collazo fight,” remarked Ray. “Ricky wasn’t doing the little things that we feel make him a bit special, in terms of footwork and movement.
“Instead of being on his toes and using his boxing abilities, he just stood there and battled it out. I think that after many fights in an unbeaten career, Ricky got a bit stale. But the extra long layoff we’ve had has been a good thing because he’s got his hunger back, you can tell by his demeanor in the gym.”
Hatton has been working in trainer Billy Graham’s Phoenix Camp gym, logging many rounds with “The Preacher” wearing the infamous piece of equipment that has long been an integral part of the Hitman’s preparations. “Ricky has been doing a lot lately with Billy on the body belt,” said Ray. “When you’re sparring and someone is throwing punches at you, you can’t always get the movement together, so working with Billy on the body belt, the movement and footwork is back.
“We’re going to start the sparring soon here in Manchester and then carry it on with a few really good sparring partners when we get to Vegas. We know Juan Urango is a very dangerous opponent and we’re taking nothing for granted for this fight.”
Dennis Hobson/Fight Academy and Banner Promotions, in association with Top Rank, Inc., present Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Urango for the IBF Light Welterweight Championship of the world on January 20, 2007 at the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. HBO World Championship Boxing will televise live starting at 10PM ET/7PM ET. Tickets can be purchased by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com