Hatton set for Vegas return
Hitman putting fans' finances first for Malignaggi showdown
By Tim Hobbs Last updated: 8th July 2008
Hatton: Favours Vegas
Ricky's putting his weight behind Vegas because of the money the fans are going to save.
Ray Hatton
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Ricky Hatton's next fight is likely to be in Las Vegas - because it's cheaper for the fans.
The Hitman will take on IBF light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in November, following both fighters successes at the City of Manchester in May.
Hatton has always dreamed of topping the bill at New York's Madison Square Garden and Malignaggi is big box office there, but in an unprecedented move,he has opted to put his legendary support first.
Father and promoter Ray Hatton told skysports.com that although nothing has been set in stone, his son has "put his weight behind" a return to the scene of his defeat to Floyd Mayweather.
"He actually turned round and said to me, although it would be great to top the bill at Madison Square Garden - even though he's only fought there once before on the undercard of Naz and Kevin Kelley - this is about the fans, dad," Ray said.
"His exact words were, 'Dad, the fans made me, so I want what's best financially for the fans. I want to make it more a price for them because it is near Christmas'.
"He's putting his weight behind Vegas because of the money the fans are going to save.
Cheaper
"So what I did actually was ring round travel agents and people like that and they all came back with the same answer: for the fans in November time, it would be a lot cheaper and they'd get a better deal going to Vegas."
November 23 has been mooted as the date for the Malignaggi fight and if it does happen in Vegas, it is likely to be at the MGM Grand or the Thomas & Mack Center - the only two venues big enough to host a Hatton fight.
An estimated 30,000 made the trip to Las Vegas for his showdown with Mayweather in December and although only 3,900 actually had official tickets, Ray Hatton says it will be different this time.
"This time they've basically said 'you can have the lion's share' and this time we can have, within reason, what we want, whereas last time we got 3,900," he said.
"That's done and dusted. It's not happening again, that was part of the deal. You can get caught out once, but not twice.
"Nothing's really set in stone but I think Richard has made it known that as far as he's concerned, he wants it to be where its financially best for the fans."
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Comments
Noel Potter says...
I agree with Simon and Joe; Ricky might not have been mixed his words if he maybe wasn't comfortable with some decision he made for contractual or other reasons. But if he didn't choose his words so well that;s because he's not a politician - he's a boxer. He's human like the rest of us and I'd wager most of those with negative comments have acted to get ahead financially in their professions; and that none have done as much for their country and the community. It is hypocritical and naive to judge. He's worked damn hard and he's done our country proud. If he wants a payday beforehe retires, that's his choice. No-one is forcing anyone to watch the match but plenty will; I'll be one of them and I'll enjoy it. Even if it's on TV.
Posted 21:34 21st July 2008
Simon Munton says...
Ricky has earned the right to fight wherever he wants and owes none of us anything.Vegas was great last time and the atmosphere there is bound to better than NewYork.Just hope the arena has enough beer in!
Posted 13:05 11th July 2008
Joe Osborne says...
i cant believe all of the negative comments im reading about one of britains best ever boxers. of course its within his interest to fight somewhere that pays well, but why do you feel its so unbelievable that a sportsman can be thinking of his fans aswell as himself. if theres one thing you can say about hatton is that he appreciates and respects every one of his fans. he has a great following for a reason.
Posted 12:43 11th July 2008
Robbie Herd says...
I thought Hatton was a peoples fighter, clearly not. If he would have said 'listen I've been offered mega bucks to fight in the USA so I'm taking it. Your fight career doesn't last forever so I'm capitalising on the opportunity purely for financial reasons' then he would have commanded a lot more respect. However saying that its cheaper to fight there is clearly not thinking of the fans. Maybe for his camp and promoters etc.. it is cheaper but trust it aint the fans he is thinking of. This therefore is not a peoples fighter, it is quite the opposite. You have sold out Ricky, chose your words more carefully next time.....if there is a next time!
Posted 00:21 11th July 2008
Betty Swalls says...
Its all about money & stuff the fans. If he wants to fight in the US, that's his call, but at the end of the day, he'll end up with a few more losses on his record, he's not got it in him to box with the top US fighters, that's coming from someone who has been going to almost every Hatton fight from 1996 to present. It completely gets to me, when they medal with the tickets business, theyre paid to fight, get a % of the PPV Fees etc, so why should they have anything to do with the tickets? Leave them alone, if a boxing fan wants to go see a fight, they know where to get the tickets from, after the last Ray Hatton ticket fiasco, I wouldnt trust buying any ticket from them!
Posted 01:51 10th July 2008
Paul Ross says...
Wherever the fight is going to be held it does not matter as Malignaggi will beat Hatton with ease, a massive points win or if he catches Hatton a KO, if Lazcano was more of a banger he would of taken Hatton out of there also.. Last time we will see Hatton in the ring after this one i feel...........
Posted 16:28 9th July 2008
H Jack says...
Surely his choices are based on a combination of both factors, the fans and the money. It is harsh to say that the guy doesnt give a hoot about his fanatical followers. BUT it would be naive to think that he was going to get a bigger purse fighting in New York. He obviously was not and his dad is being a bit snide acting like this had nothing to do with the decision.
Posted 09:19 9th July 2008
Andy Wallace says...
No the hitman is talking about Vegas being cheaper than New York which it defently would be!! How about the homecoming he sold tickets for as cheap as £30 pound that is what i call a man devoted to his fans, i was there at Manchester and lets face it it was the biggest sporting event in this country ever!! I will be goin to Vegas with a fight ticket or not!! C'mon Ricky!!!
Posted 07:37 9th July 2008
Martin Savage says...
Knowing the fight was about to be announced i have already priced up Vegas and New York flights. Vegas flights are about twice the price as New York flights. Even if he does want to fight in US, saying that fighting in Vegas for the 'fans pockets' and not his own is disappointing from Ricky.
Posted 20:19 8th July 2008
Sam Smith says...
Again, all these comments come from people who know nothing about boxing or Ricky Hatton himself. Hatton signed a contract with Golden Boy Promotions after the Mayweather fight, for 3 fights which were all to take place in the US. Hatton said he would like one more fight for the fans in the UK, which was agreed by Golden Boy, which he gave us against Lazcano. Now Ricky has to go and fight in the US under the terms of his contract. He is saying that it will be cheaper for the fans if the fight was in Las Vegas than in New York. Give the guy a break!
Posted 19:12 8th July 2008
Daz Jones says...
Top and bottom of it is the MGM Grand has offered the Hattons more money than Madison Square Garden, thats why the fight is is in Vegas, NOT because the Hattons are thinking of the fans pockets...Nuff Said.....
Posted 18:38 8th July 2008
Darren Knowles says...
If he does only have 2 fights left, he can fight them where he wants, if the money is there take it.The show will still sell out no matter how many britains make the journey. it would have been nice to see the fight in england, but boxing is not just a sport it is a business, and when your winding downing towards retirement it would be a lot more comforting knowing there is more money waiting in your bank account.
Posted 16:07 8th July 2008
Dean Mc says...
There is no way this will create the same hypa as the mayweather fight and hatton knows that. maybe it is his way of advertising it as cheap because he knows this and wants to keep up the record breaking fan numbers? the only way he will break any records again will be to have a big fight in britain.. He will wipe the floor with malinaggi and then he should aim for a mayweather rematch or miguel cotto. the only prob in both circumstances is the weight.
Posted 16:00 8th July 2008
Adam Flanagan says...
You're all missing the point. He was going to fight Malignaggi in America and its supposed to happen at Madison Square Garden. But Hatton has said he wants Las Vegas because it will be cheaper for fans travelling to go Las Vegas than to New York. Of course compared to fighting in manchester it's a hell of a lot more money, but he is comparing Las Vegas to New York. The fight at City's ground was most likely his last in the UK and he already said that.
Posted 13:17 8th July 2008
Ian O'farrell says...
Look fellas, your looking at this from the wrong perspective. He's fought in the UK a hell of a lot and did so in his last fight, simple economics dictate that to make it as a boxer then you have to be fighting in the States as well, both financially and to gain exposure. By going to Vegas it is by no means cheap but the only other option is New York which at that time of year is going to be significantly more expensive. Hattons dream was always to fight at madison sq garden and he is prepared to give that up and choose option 2, which is more affordable than New York. Joe Calzaghe became a world star at the age of 34, when he beat Lacey, if he had gone over there sooner, which he chose not to then he would have been a massive star sooner.
Posted 12:34 8th July 2008
Lewis Guest says...
Although it would be better for the fans for him to fight in the UK, Ricky simply doesn't have a choice. He signed a contract with HBO and they are forcing him to have his last two fights in the states. Calzaghe is in the same boat, he wanted his last fight in the UK, but it looks as though he is heading to Vegas for a showdown with Jones. After taking so many hits over the years, you cannot blame anyone for wanting those last two pay days. GO ON RICKY!!!
Posted 10:24 8th July 2008
Lee Demain says...
Hold on a minute lads, end of the day he doesn't box for the fans he boxes for himself and he needs to make as much money as he possibly can therefore not having to fight on aslong as Calzaghe, it's no secret Calzaghe hasn't earned nearly as much as he would have liked and now the Hopkins fight and the Jones Jr fight will make him that, but you can't knock Hatton for fighting in America, He'll get more out of it ultimately and at least he's considering the fans unlike Mayweather or someone like that, He could top Madison Sqaure Garden esp with Mallignaggi being big there, so it isn't a case of that option not coming off, he has his career in mind too and what's best for him financially.
Posted 09:15 8th July 2008
David Kershaw says...
Sorry Ricky, but 30,000 UK fans will not travel because of the Thanksgiving weekend and the fact that all the cheap flights have already sold out! Get your pay day day and put on a great show, but lets hope the swansong is at the awesome Wembley Stadium. That should cement you as the people's champion with a world record setting boxing attendance!
Posted 00:34 8th July 2008
Gary Burnett says...
Come on guys...a boxing match is all about the experience. A day out on the beers with your mates, a few spins on the roulette and then a cracking contest. Hatton has every right to chase the dollars - and fans will pay for the 'experience'. New York in November is extortiante due to Thanks giving...give the champ a break!!
Posted 21:31 7th July 2008
John Thomas says...
If the Hatton camp were serious in "It's all about the fans" then they wouldnt be talking about us like were a bunch of uneducated fools. It would be cheaper to the fans in the UK - PERIOD! - Why even fight Malignaggi? We want to see him against real fighters, Cotto, Pacquiao, Margaritto -
Posted 20:29 7th July 2008
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