Hitman set for dream night

Ricky Hatton's homecoming fight will be shown live on Sky Box Office

Last updated: 18th March 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hitman set for dream night

Hatton: Diehard City fan

It is absolutely mind-blowing. The best way I can repay all those fans who followed me to Las Vegas is by bouncing back with a fantastic win and making it a night to remember.

Ricky Hatton
Quotes of the week

Also see

Ricky Hatton is expecting his homecoming fight at the City of Manchester Stadium to be a 'mind-blowing experience.'

The 'Hitman' will take on Mexican Juan Lazcano on May 24 in front of a crowd of 55,000 and the diehard Manchester City fan is relishing the chance to put on a show for his supporters.

Around 15,000 Brits followed Hatton to Las Vegas in December for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather and the IBO light welterweight champion sees this as the perfect opportunity to repay their loyalty.

He told Sky Sports News: "I have had 44 fights now and I am coming down to the home straight of my career. Before I retire one of my goals was to top the bill at Manchester City's stadium.

Proud

"Being a proud Mancunian - whether you are a red or a blue - it's always been a dream to fight there. It's not just going to be one hell of a fight, it's going to be a real party occasion, a real atmosphere."

Hatton was guest of honour for City's 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday and after experiencing the reception from 40,000 fans he is excited about his own big night in May.

"I walked out onto the pitch and thought to myself - 'flippin heck there's going to be an extra 15,000 on top of this.'

"It is absolutely mind-blowing. The best way I can repay all those fans who followed me to Las Vegas is by bouncing back with a fantastic win and making it a night to remember."

Click Here for Your Free Bet

Comments (18)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

J Fost says...

In response to Michael Davis, "Ricky Hatton should be priveliged to fight Mayweather" Some of what you say is true and makes sense. You do however ruin it all with the above comment!! Mr Hatton deserved his fight with Mayweather and that is not something you can question!! The qutcome is something that will be debated for years. Bitter, unqualified sounding comments like yours will not

Posted 06:36 28th March 2008

John B says...

The only reason that Witter is giving it the big one about Hatton is because he's the one after the 'big pay day', he knows he's got no chance but also knows that the cash he'd get from that would set him up, can't say I blame him either. But why should Ricky let him have it, he's not got that many years left, so why waste a fight on witter. Hatton is the best at 140, without a doubt, but Mayweather, like him or loathe him, is the best pound for pound out there. Hatton to win inside 3 rounds.

Posted 21:23 21st March 2008

Gary Shaw says...

Sorry but there is some real bull being spoken on here. Eddie Green says that Hatton was fighting 2 men in the ring when he faced PBF. That is complete rubbish, sure Cortez didn't do Ricky any favours but PBF was the hometown fighter and he is always going to get the rub of the green (pardon the pun), its the same in football when teams play away from home. Even if Cortez would have let Ricky hold and hit like he usually does it would have not made any difference to the outcome. Ricky was and always will be his best at 140. He moved up a weight to meet the pfp best boxer on the planet. He was never going to win if you are being realistic, he was out boxed in every department. Now let us turn our attention to "The Hispanic Causing Panic" - Lazcano is not the big name we have become used to seeing Ricky fight. Although he is probably a good fight for Ricky to have after his loss to PBF. I predict a late stoppage or UD to Ricky. After this I hear he is going to fight Pauli Malignaggi which is a good match up, Rickys all action brawling style against Mouthy Mali's slick boxing skills. Again I see a late stoppage or UD win for Ricky. Then I think we will see Ricky's last fight at 140 when he should finally face Witter. I think this is a much closer fight but as long as he prepares in the right way I think Ricky will win it on points, maybe even a SD. After that I think we'll see Hatton make a few bucks up at 147-150 vs the likes of De La Hoya and possibly PBF again. Whatever happens I am sure Ricky will keep us all on the edge of our seats. Peace

Posted 22:17 18th March 2008

Michael Garner says...

Hatton should make Witter his next opponent so he can silence him. All Witter has ever done is big himself up and belittle Hatton. What top boxers has Witter beat or even fought? He should keep his mouth shut and just respect the champion. God help him if he get's his chance. It will be Hatton-Mayweather all over again but with Hatton making Witter look like the amateur this time. Long live Hatton!!

Posted 22:10 18th March 2008

Gary Shiels says...

Unfortunatly Hatton didnt come up against a good champion in vegas he came up against a GREAT champion and in his heart of hearts he knew no matter if he had fought his best he still only had a slight chance of beating mayweather and no matter how poor ref was the result would never have changed..And i agree with those who say hatton is a different class to witter but like haye and enzo these are the fights the british fight fans love ..benn eubank,bruno lewis and i for one would love to see ricky shutting juniors mouth once and for all

Posted 21:27 18th March 2008

Craig Machon says...

Ricky Hatton is not overated, and would destroy Witter. Witter has done well, and I like his ambition, but I'm afraid to say that's all it is, ambition, because he will never be at the height Hatton is. I believe Witter is overated, he's okay, but not as good as everyone thinks. If Mayweather dropped to Hatton's weight, like a true champion he is, then Hatton would pick up the win, at Mayweather's weight, he would win: that's the way it goes. By the way, David Haye is about to conquer some of the heavyweights, but not all - He is great!

Posted 18:27 18th March 2008

Neil Brook says...

Come off it people. Hatton vs Witter would be no contest. Hatton is supreme to Witter. You don't get a record like Ricky's by running scared of opponents. Hatton could have been scared to take on Mayweather but did he?? No. He could have easily not taken Mayweather on and retired with a perfect record. Witter has done nothing but bad mouth Ricky so why should Ricky give him a shot? That is what Witter is trying to get by bad mouthing him all the time. Stuff him. But one day Hatton will fight Witter, knock him out then he will sit him on a stool and make him consider his future.

Posted 15:53 18th March 2008

Dave Davey says...

Come and Fight at Parkhead and experience over 60,000 in the seated area of the stadium and probably an extra 15000 on the pitch!

Posted 15:51 18th March 2008

Charie Taylor says...

Eddie Green are you mad??!!! Beat Mayweather in six rounds. Mayweather could be a lightweight and Hatton could have a baseball bat and he still wouldn't win.You're living in a deam world. He should be figting Witter! We all know that. Hatton has always been overated. So don't believe the hype.

Posted 15:47 18th March 2008

Chris Waldron says...

I use to like hatton but for his comments about witter not being much of a payday come on? what a joke! i think hatton has made enough money in his career so just get the fight on with witter and let your fans (who pay alot of money to see you fight) see somebody who they want too see! Also the people saying hatton was robbed and the ref wasnt fair etc..... Mayweather is a class act and would beat hatton 10/10 fights he is a world above hatton in everyway stop kidding yourselves! I hate americans but mayweather is class hattons not simple as that!

Posted 15:17 18th March 2008

Billy Jones says...

The reason why Ricky Hatton won't take on Junior Witter is because he knows that Witter will beat him and that would destroy Hatton's career. I used to like Ricky, but in the last two years, he's become more and more big headed and arrogant. So if Ricky ever does find the courage to fight Witter (but I bet he won't) I'd support Junior and watch as he knocks Ricky out inside 4 rounds. Witter is the better of the two, and Ricky knows it.

Posted 15:09 18th March 2008

John Smith says...

Ricky Hatton is the most overrated boxer i've ever seen. Like eddie says, he had no plan B against maymeather. Selling tickets means nothing. Im a newcastle united fan, we sell 50,000 tickets every home game, it means nothing because we will never be considered a great club. Outside britain ricky hatton is never going to be considered a great boxer.

Posted 15:01 18th March 2008

Snake Plisskin says...

Another blog I read to see that people who speak their highly opinionated minds make me angry enough to write a response. HAS ANYONE ACTUALLY WATCHED A JUNIOR WITTER FIGHT? If you answer yes then how could you possibly suggest he is anywhere near the level of Ricky Hatton, and I'm not even a boxing fan, don't get me wrong I have watched all the great fights, but I remember watching Witter fight some nobody a year ago and he won the match on points. I can honestly say that the sport relief boxing match was better than the poor and extremely slow fight I had to endure... Witter has proved himself amongst the B-class of boxing but as for A-class fighters like Hatton, he isn't even in the same league and I want to see a Witter-Hatton fight just to shut all you misinformed idiots up, and of course teach Witter a lesson he has had coming to him. Best in his weight... my eye.

Posted 14:26 18th March 2008

Michael Davis says...

IN RESPONSE TO EDDIE GREEN, You sound like you are related to Ricky Hatton. Excuses Excuses, Its boxing Mayweather is the champ, Beaten better opponents and is the big attraction. Remember, Hatton should be priveliged to have had the occasion and get his biggest pay day. Hatton is good but like our other major sports stars highly over rated just because he was born on our boring and unreasonable shores

Posted 14:23 18th March 2008

Daniel Foot says...

i cant wait for the hitman's return to the ring!! i have been lucky enough to have got my ticket for homecoming and cant wait until may 24th its going to be a great night and a good fight for ricky and is just what he needs after the mayweather fight theres only one RICKY HATTON

Posted 13:45 18th March 2008

Richard Allen says...

I like Ricky Hatton but i think he could have a give the British public a better home coming than this guy . Junior Witter hes the WBC holder and wants the fight all this rubbish about not giving Witter he best pay packet since when have pay packets ever been the reson for someone to prove their the best??? Benn-Eubanks,Hay -Macrenelli,Bruno-Lewis,Benn-Watson,Watson-Eubanks ,Collins -Benn ,there was alway a reson not to fight but they did. Come ON Hatton give us the Fight we want before you lose to someone we dont Know!!

Posted 13:30 18th March 2008

Khalid Saleem says...

What a legend. Even if the opponent he has chosen is an old wash out, this is going to be a memorable occasion. Ricky Hatton simply has nothing to prove to his home faithful, and is repaying the loyal fans who have followed him to the other side of the world. Anyway, a fight is a fight, and after 3 months of hard training any boxing fan knows that both will bring their a-game. So I wouldnt be too complacent about this Luczano fella. Personally I would like him to fight either Mallanangi or Witter in his next fight. I reckon he'll beat Mallinangi, but against Witter he will be fcaing a wbc champion in his prime, so that could be a lot closer. Either way, both fights are mouth watering prospects.

Posted 13:12 18th March 2008

Eddie Green says...

Only Ricky Hatton could sell 50,000 tickets in less than 2 hours he is amazing shame hes a city fan though(only joking). I do think Hatton will come back strong after his defeat to Mayweather. I still believe Hatton fought the wrong fight against Mayweather there did not seem to be a plan B. He was up against it he was basically fighting two men in the ring that night the ref was a disgrace and was simply there to stop Hatton fighting is fight and to get in his head and mentally disrupt is focus. I thought the Mayweather camp were very clever in their approach, the fight was totally on their terms from the weight, it being in the states to even the size of the ring. Plus the obviously well paid Cortez I am sure the Mayweather camp paid him a handsome bonus after the fight. I know it won't happen but I would like to see Hatton fight Mayweather at Light welterweight or a catch weight in this country and on more equal terms this including not having a ref named Joe.. If this were to happen Hatton would stop Mayweather inside 6 rounds. Never say never hey Ricky. Salfords behind you Ricky.

Posted 13:08 18th March 2008
  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private