by James Slater – According to a shocking news article that has appeared as an exclusive on RingTalk.com and has since been picked up by a number of other boxing web sites, trainer of the hour Freddie Roach will become the new trainer of a certain Ricky Hatton very soon! According to the breaking story put out by RingTalk.com, a “stunning announcement is forthcoming..”
Not only is this claim a real shocker, the fact that Hatton has, apparently, made the decision to box on is also something of a surprise. For one thing, Ricky sure made his mind up quickly – especially when you bear in mind the fact that “The Hitman” was starched by Manny Pacquiao less than five weeks ago and that the Manchester warrior said himself that no-one should go expecting any rapid decision from him about whether or not he will fight on.
Another surprise (assuming the news is in fact wholly correct), is the fact that Roach would agree to work with a fighter who he said only recently should think about hanging ’em up. This will be the third different man Hatton has had training him. First it was the man who discovered him, Billy Graham. Then the father of the first man to defeat him was brought on board, in Floyd Mayweather Senior. Now the trainer of the fighter who annihilated him is being brought in.
It’s easy to see why Hatton has looked at Roach. Freddie’s talents have been much publicised and proven many, many times. Who better to have working your corner when you are a fighter in serious need of a career revamp? Then again, as talented and gifted as he is, Roach cannot work miracles. If, as some critics have suggested, Hatton’s punch resistance has completely gone, what on earth can the owner of the famous Wild Card gym do about it?
Hatton MAY be taking a lead from fellow Brit Amir Khan. Khan, as we know, had his suspect chin smashed inside a minute by puncher Breidis Prescott last year, and who did he turn to almost immediately afterwards? That’s right Freddie. And now, if the claims can be believed, Khan is a much better fighter defensively, and the hit-and-not-be-hit approach drilled into him by Roach will make him a world champion. If anyone can reinvent Hatton as a hard-to-hit boxer, it’s Roach. Sure, it would be an even bigger turnaround for Hatton than it has been for Khan – a fighter who always was in possession of sharp skills and slickness – but Ricky did use some more head movement under Mayweather Snr in the win over Paulie Malignaggi.
We have yet to hear any official announcement that he will indeed try, but if Freddie Roach can get Ricky Hatton back to the top, his past achievements may well pale in comparison