Ricky Hatton is looking lean and focussed ahead of his January 20 IBF light welterweight title fight against Juan Urango, says his father Ray.
Ricky Hatton is looking lean and focussed ahead of his January 20 IBF light welterweight title fight against Juan Urango, says his father Ray.
He says the "Hitman" is only eight and a half pounds above the 140lb limit and "well in front of schedule".
"After many fights in an unbeaten career, Ricky got a bit stale," said Ray Hatton, who is his son's manager.
"But the extra layoff has been good because he's got his hunger back - you can tell by his demeanour in the gym."
Ray Hatton admitted that his son's preparations for a victorious but shaky showing against Luis Collazo in May had not been ideal.
"We're not ashamed to admit that we cut a few corners during the Collazo fight," he said.
"We know Juan Urango is a very dangerous opponent and we're taking nothing for granted
"Ricky wasn't doing the little things that we feel make him a bit special, in terms of footwork and movement. Instead of being on his toes and using his boxing abilities, he just stood there and battled it out."
Hatton has been working in trainer Billy Graham's Phoenix Camp gym.
"Ricky has been doing a lot lately with Billy on the body belt so the movement and footwork is back," said Ray Hatton.
'We're going to start the sparring soon in Manchester and then carry it on with a few really good sparring partners when we get to Vegas.
"We know Juan Urango is a very dangerous opponent and we're taking nothing for granted for this fight." - BBC
Lean Hatton focuses on Urango fight
Ricky Hatton is looking lean and focussed ahead of his January 20 IBF light welterweight title fight against Juan Urango, says his father Ray.
Ricky Hatton is looking lean and focussed ahead of his January 20 IBF light welterweight title fight against Juan Urango, says his father Ray.
He says the "Hitman" is only eight and a half pounds above the 140lb limit and "well in front of schedule".
"After many fights in an unbeaten career, Ricky got a bit stale," said Ray Hatton, who is his son's manager.
"But the extra layoff has been good because he's got his hunger back - you can tell by his demeanour in the gym."
Ray Hatton admitted that his son's preparations for a victorious but shaky showing against Luis Collazo in May had not been ideal.
"We're not ashamed to admit that we cut a few corners during the Collazo fight," he said.
"We know Juan Urango is a very dangerous opponent and we're taking nothing for granted
"Ricky wasn't doing the little things that we feel make him a bit special, in terms of footwork and movement. Instead of being on his toes and using his boxing abilities, he just stood there and battled it out."
Hatton has been working in trainer Billy Graham's Phoenix Camp gym.
"Ricky has been doing a lot lately with Billy on the body belt so the movement and footwork is back," said Ray Hatton.
'We're going to start the sparring soon in Manchester and then carry it on with a few really good sparring partners when we get to Vegas.
"We know Juan Urango is a very dangerous opponent and we're taking nothing for granted for this fight." - BBC
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