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At City's home with the Hatton

Ricky certainly didn't stick the knife into Junior. After his own loss to Floyd Mayweather, Hatton was sympathetic, saying that Witter can hold his head up that he lost his world title to a very good opponent in Bradley.

Adam Smith
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THE HOMECOMING
Ricky Hatton v Juan Lazcano
IBO Light-Welterweight title
Live on Sky Box Office
7.30pm, Saturday, May 24
Call 08442 410888 to book
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Last Thursday I spent a couple of hours with Ricky at the mightily impressive City of Manchester stadium.

Britain's most popular boxing star looked like a kid in a sweetshop - he is, of course, a lifelong blue and this really is a dream come true to be starring on what, for him, is hallowed turf.

It was great having a tour around. We went in the changing rooms, where Ricky was charting his own tactics on the team's board into his private box, where he cheers on the boys; then onto the pitch, where the players will be watching him.

He is treated like a complete hero in his own right at City. The staff love him and he told me he always has a brew with the old ladies behind the scenes, before the game.

He so excited and looked well, but word has come out this week that he's been suffering from a nasty chest infection, which has hampered his training.

He is, though, feeling much better and plans to show he's absolutely fine at an open media training day on Thursday. Hatton is more determined than ever to shine on Saturday week.

Under-estimated

Cheerier news for Ricky would surely have been the poor performance by arch rival Junior Witter last week-end, as he lost his world Light-Welterweight title to the 6-1 underdog Timothy Bradley. The American had done his homework; maybe Witter had over-trained or simply under-estimated Bradley.

I'm sure he also had half an eye on that potential Hatton fight. This now looks more unlikely than ever - and Witter suddenly looks older at 34.

It was Junior's first loss in eight years and you have to feel a bit sorry for him. Things just haven't fallen into place. He's pretty misunderstood, a good guy who, under the excellent Ingle regime, has worked extremely hard and has always had plenty of raw talent.

It just hasn't always fallen into place for Witter. I hope he's made decent money through a tricky but distinguished career, and I hope he can rebuild. He did ever so well to recover from that sixth-round knockdown, but the damage to his fighting stature - in front of a US television audience - will be tough to come back from. It will be a real test of Witter's character.

Ricky certainly didn't stick the knife into Junior. After his own loss to Floyd Mayweather, Hatton was sympathetic, saying that Witter can hold his head up that he lost his world title to a very good opponent in Bradley.

The two old rivals will soon be planning for life after boxing. Ricky has applied for his promoter's licence and building is under way on a brand new gym for the Hatton's to run in Hyde.

With Billy Graham finishing when Ricky does, the Hitman will also start training youngsters; the first, obviously expected to be brother Matthew.

Challenge

The younger Hatton, as ever, plies his trade in the background. But May 24th is a real chance for Matthew to take some of the limelight. He has an important fight, and a hard challenge for the Commonwealth Welterweight title against the useful southpaw Craig Watson. In a cross-city clash, expect a really good trade match.

Matthew has been in some solid sparring sessions with Jamie Moore, who also appears on the mega Manchester show; but don't underestimate the ambition of Craig Watson.

He's matured well over the last 18 months and will be in no mood to let his belt slip to a Hatton. Craig once floored Amir Khan in the amateurs, so he's used to putting one over on the big names.

Finally Ricky has been the star of his own reality television programme, so don't miss 'At Home With The Hattons' - on Sky One this Sunday at 10pm.

I've seen many glimpses of the banter around the Hatton household over the years and with his hysterical mum Carol, and two terrific Grans, it should be a great watch!