Ed Robinson - and an army of fans - greet Ricky Hatton as he lands in Vegas.
Ricky Hatton arrived in Las Vegas flying in direct from Manchester on Thursday afternoon. We were there to greet him but we weren't the only ones and the media demands are only going to increase.
He was tired after his flight but still posed as patiently for fans' camera phones as he did for professional snappers. Ricky greeted our cameraman Dave Caine with a hug - Cainey's filmed the Hitman so many times over the years they've become good pals.
A representative of Golden Boy, Hatton's American promoter, eventually drove the team off in a mini coach. No limo for the world champion who pushes his own luggage.
Hatton's staying at a secret address away from the Strip. There's plenty of space: a pool, a games room and Ricky wasted no time unpacking pictures of his son and girlfriend before putting up good luck cards.
Brother Matthew's also on the bill and staying in the house. Domestic middleweight contender Mat Macklin's there to show his support and the team have great banter. Ricky laid out his DVD collection in the living room, about the most serious title was Porky's.
Brits
Back at the MGM Grand the shops have started selling fight merchandise, T-shirts and sweat tops. As you walk into the cavernous reception area a promo for the big clash plays out on the video screens. Guests have their photos taken in front of a sculptural display representing Thanksgiving. Soon it'll be replaced by a full size boxing ring as fight fever takes hold.
Dave and I bumped into Billy Graham, he's staying at the hotel studying Mayweather tapes and working on strategy. He's really fired up for this and incredibly positive. He seemed shocked and offended that some of the American journalists give Ricky no chance at all. He's really looking forward to making them eat their words.
I feel a bit sorry for former British lightweight champion Lee Meager. Not every British boxer enjoys Hatton's fame. Meager's boxing on a show at the MGM Grand the night before Hatton. It's billed as the U.K. versus the World and the promoters hope that the thousands of Brits in town will show their support. Shame they've accidentally used a still of Lee's stable mate Lenny Daws above Lee's name on the advertising posters!
Our edit house isn't far away but we got there early and with the public holiday there was no one around to let us in. Sat listening to some music for the edit we noticed the full moon over Las Vegas. And I swear, it did have a blue tinge to it. What better omen for Ricky's arrival in Vegas.
