Adam Smith looks at how hard work and perseverance has finally paid off for Matthew Hatton.
Hatton ready to make his mark
The name 'Hatton' will forever be entwined in British boxing history.
Richard. Ricky. The Hitman. The boy-next-door who thrilled us on his way to the top of the light-welterweight division, with his loveable personality and swash-buckling fighting style.
For the best part of his life, Ricky's younger brother has been well and truly in the shadows. Until now. For after a long, hard journey, Matthew Hatton stands as the European Welterweight Champion. This Friday night in Bolton, he makes his first defence against Yuri Nuzhnenko - a rock-solid former world champion who's only been beaten once in 32 fights.
Matthew wasn't born with the same amount of natural boxing talent as his brother. He's also a different personality, and of course hasn't enjoyed nearly as sweet or successful a rise - both in sporting and financial terms. Publicity-wise, Matthew just hasn't been as marketable as Ricky; despite the fact that boxing brothers obviously have appeal.
They do get on great though; they're really close pals, and are from a very tight-knit family. Mum Carol and Dad Ray have always treated them as equals, and rightfully so.
Ray told me: "Ricky might be a world champion, but I'm just as proud of Matthew - whatever belt he wins. Carol and I get as nervous watching Matthew at ringside as when Ricky boxes. All we care about is that our boys come out safe.'
'As for Richard,' Ray continued, 'He's much more worried watching his little brother than he is about his own fights.'
They're hugely supportive of each other, but enjoy plenty of their own independence, and are often seen as contrasting characters. There is a quiet air of sensibility with Matthew; although people feel he's not as engaging as Ricky when you first meet him, and is harder to get to know.
Dogged determination
What Matt does have is a steely resolve. He is also thoroughly dedicated and disciplined. Almost 24:7. In many ways far more than his big brother. Matthew's needed to be; for what he lacks in raw ability, he makes up for in dogged determination and hard grind.
Matthew's long carved his own niche. Even at home, he's the odd one out. The City fanatics in the Hyde household call Matthew the 'runt of the litter' - he's a Manchester United fan!
Matthew's been fiercely competitive since the days when he used to kick-box as a kid. I remember watching a very old video of the Hatton brothers in an exhibition. Matthew was far more aggressive - and seems to have always had that burning desire to battle his way through.
Like Ricky's early success at the youth set-up with Manchester City, Matthew was very interested in football. Yet he turned down the opportunity of playing for Oldham Athletic to concentrate on boxing.
A late-starter - at 15, Matthew only had 22 amateur bouts, and never had the impact or reputation that his brother did in the unpaid ranks. He managed to win an ABA novice title, but decided to turn over in 2000.
Coming through the ranks
It has been a slow rise over his decade as a pro. Matthew was brought along very carefully - largely on Ricky's undercards. His unbeaten record was snapped in his 14th fight by journeyman David Kirk. It was a controversial defeat - and maybe an indication that Matthew wasn't always going to get the rub of the green, despite his family connection.
Matthew was also stopped on a cut by David Keir, and held to a draw by fringe contender Francis Jones. At this stage, the critics were beginning to right him off, saying that it seemed he had reached his level.
Matthew was still young, and simply knuckled down. All credit to him.
In March 2005, Hatton outpointed Rob Burton over 10 rounds to become Central Area Welterweight champion. I remember the happiness etched on Carol's face, when her little boy finally had a belt of his own to put on the mantelpiece.
Then Matthew beat Burton again for a second Central title - this time at light-middleweight. He also settled the score with Francis Jones.
However, Matthew blew a British title eliminator against the naturally lighter Alan Bosworth. When ahead on points, he was disqualified for repeated infringements.
Matthew Hatton has always been capable of re-building, and that's a positive sign. He did so largely in America - thanks to Ricky's adventures, and got good wins against the likes of Frank Houghtaling, Edwin Vazquez and Frankie Santos.
Unfortunately his big night in the open air at the City of Manchester stadium (on the undercard of his brother's homecoming win over Juan Lazcano) fell flat, when his challenge for Craig Watson's Commonwealth title ended in a wide points defeat. By now, it really looked like Matthew had found his level.
However, we've learnt never to write him off - and he has come back well. Wins over Scott Woolford, the dangerous old Ben Tackie, Brixton banger Ted Bami, and Mexico's Ernesto Zepeda led to a major clash against hardened Lovemore N'dou. Hatton had to make do with a draw, which was a touch unfortunate again for the long-time trier.
Taking his chances
Yet in March, Ricky's new promotional base managed to secure him a crack at the European Welterweight crown, and Matthew boxed carefully against the former champion and world title challenger Gianluca Branco, to finally have 'his' night. Hatton used fast flurries, whilst showing patience and good footwork to win over 12. Branco, though, did look like an old man in there at times.
Now Matthew must defend the European belt against his mandatory challenger Yuri Nuzhnenko, who won around 110 of his 142 amateur bouts, and has been a very strong professional. He even briefly held the WBA 10 stone 7 crown.
Expect another hard battle on Friday. Hatton has the home advantage, and should be fresher; yet Nuzhnenko hasn't seemed phased in the build-up - and is decent. This one could go to the wire.
Some say that Matthew Hatton has never been good enough, and yes he has benefited from fighting on Ricky's high profile bills. Yet, this is the hardest game, and you take every advantage you can.
On the flip side, how difficult must it be to be Ricky's younger, and less successful brother. In all the years I have known Matthew he has never shown a hint of jealousy. Not one iota. I have huge respect for him.
Matthew may never be a world-beater. He certainly showed no signs in the amateur ranks; but he deserves credit for sticking to the task.
'I'd be lying if I told you there weren't times when I felt really really down, Adam,' Matthew opened up to me earlier this week.
'If I had any hair, I would have pulled it all out with the frustration.'
'I have never ever been resentful of Ricky - always immensely proud - but I've been so low when I haven't performed. Everyone says I am starting to come out of Ricky's shadow. I don't see it like that. I am beginning to come out of my shadow.'
Training has gone absolutely brilliantly', Matt told me.
"I really feel like I am improving, getting better with each fight. It's down to becoming the champion, and to new trainer Bob Shannon. I really like Bob, and he's worked loads on my feet. I realised that my main weakness was my footwork, and he noticed how I was struggling with distance,' he continued.
"Bob has me running the hills - and mentally and physically I feel a different fighter. Watch me go on Friday. You'll be shocked.'
Finding his class
Matthew Hatton has 39 wins in his 45 fight career; and has only lost four times. Three of those can be deemed 'unlucky'. Matthew's not been blessed with bundles of technical ability, but he has guts, a good chin, terrific fitness, and stubborn resistance. He is also unbeaten in his last seven, and is now operating in really quite decent class.
Ably supported by all the Hattons, his lovely partner Jenna, and his two-and-a-half-year-old son Jack, Matthew is settled and in a good place. He's been through his ups and downs, and is now more mature, and more seasoned at 29.
I saw another 29 year old sportsman last weekend. His name is Justin Rose - and he has a pretty big week at The Open.
Justin rose to prominence at The Open in 1998. As a 17 year old amateur, he holed a dramatic shot on the 18th to finish tied for fourth. He turned professional the following week, but really struggled - incredibly missing 21 cuts in a row.
Justin virtually became a journeyman of golf through his twenties, and he had to show heart, belief and resolve to keep positive. A couple of years ago, it was coming together and he played well in the last Ryder Cup - but then another dip took him out of the World's top 50.
This year Rose has been a revelation winning two tournaments, and rising to 16th in the world. He is happily married to Kate, with baby son Leo, and he looked relaxed and composed when our families met up in London.
Can Rose bloom at St Andrews? Will Hatton remain king of Europe?
It just goes to show that hard work, a will to win, and a strong mental resolve does pay off.
