Ricky Hatton Disses Trainer replaced by Floyd Mayweather
By Johnny Benz, Doghouse Boxing (Sept 18, 2008) DoghouseBoxing.com
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Ricky Hatton who faces off against Paulie Malignaggi this coming November 22nd will have a new trainer for the first time in 11 years. Hatton recently replaced long time trainer Billy Graham and hired Floyd Mayweather Sr. Ahead of his upcoming clash, Hatton now admits he had doubts about Graham for a long time.
Quoted by the Gaurdian UK in regards to Graham, Ricky Hatton stated: "I felt a couple of fights ago that I should have told
him [Graham] we needed to call it a day, but I love the man so I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Ricky Hatton went on to diss his former trainer, saying Father Time had caught up with him. "But there's no doubt Father Time had caught up with Billy and he was not as quick as he used to be. It got to the stage in training where I was not worried if I was going to get the rounds in but rather if he was," said Hatton.
Hatton says he should have left trainer earlierSachin Nakrani The Guardian, Thursday September 18 2008 Article history
Ricky Hatton with his former trainer, Billy Graham. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Ricky Hatton admits he had doubts about his long-time coach Billy Graham prior to his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr last year and now says he only kept him on for sentimental reasons. The pair split in July after an 11-year-association but Hatton - who is now under the guidance of Floyd Mayweather Sr - concedes it should have come sooner.
"I felt a couple of fights ago that I should have told him [Graham] we needed to call it a day, but I love the man so I couldn't bring myself to do it," said Hatton, who will face the New Yorker Pauli Malignaggi in Las Vegas in November. "But there's no doubt Father Time had caught up with Billy and he was not as quick as he used to be. It got to the stage in training where I was not worried if I was going to get the rounds in but rather if he was."
The pair ended their partnership after Hatton's last fight - the points victory over the Mexican Juan Lazcano in Manchester in May, his first bout after being floored by Mayweather last December. The 29-year-old looked jaded in the contest, leading some, including Hatton's former promoter Frank Warren, to suggest it was time the IBO light-welterweight champion retired.
"Frank would say that but if I asked him to re-sign me he'd jump through hoops to do so," retorted Hatton. "Maybe there were signs of wear and tear against Lazcano but I had a chest infection before the fight. The performance was the best I could have given."
Far from retiring, Hatton has his sights set on becoming the "best pound-for-pound fighter in the world" - an ambition previously brought to a halt in 10 rounds by Mayweather but which the Mancunian insists is attainable.
And he believes having Mayweather's father in his corner could make the difference.
"I haven't started working with him [Mayweather Sr] yet but I've been impressed with what he's had to say," Hatton said. "Floyd is the best defensive coach in boxing so I will learn a lot from him. He'll add strings to my bow."
They will team up late next month when Hatton travels to Las Vegas to prepare for his fight against the current IBF junior welterweight champion, Malignaggi, at the MGM Grand on November 22.
Like Hatton, Malignaggi has lost only once in his career, his only defeat in 26 fights sustained against the then unbeaten Miguel Cotto in 2006 by a unanimous points decision after the bout went the full 12 rounds at Madison Square Garden. Speaking in Manchester yesterday where the pair finally met to promote the bout - Hatton missed a press conference in Las Vegas on Saturday with suspected food poisoning - the Brooklyn-born fighter promised to triumph.
"I'm the best fighter in our division and I'll prove that on November 22," Malignaggi said.
Malignaggi's IBF title is likely to be stripped from him before the fight, however, after he refused to defend it against the Canadian Herman Ngoudjo.
That does not bother Hatton, though, who knows victory over the 27-year-old will set up another defining fight, against either Oscar De La Hoya or Manny Pacquiao, who meet on December 6 at the same venue.
"It's about leaving a legacy now," said Hatton. "I'm returning to Vegas, fighting my nearest rival and have the chance to become the best fighter on the planet by beating Oscar or Manny."
By Johnny Benz, Doghouse Boxing (Sept 18, 2008) DoghouseBoxing.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ricky Hatton who faces off against Paulie Malignaggi this coming November 22nd will have a new trainer for the first time in 11 years. Hatton recently replaced long time trainer Billy Graham and hired Floyd Mayweather Sr. Ahead of his upcoming clash, Hatton now admits he had doubts about Graham for a long time.
Quoted by the Gaurdian UK in regards to Graham, Ricky Hatton stated: "I felt a couple of fights ago that I should have told
him [Graham] we needed to call it a day, but I love the man so I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Ricky Hatton went on to diss his former trainer, saying Father Time had caught up with him. "But there's no doubt Father Time had caught up with Billy and he was not as quick as he used to be. It got to the stage in training where I was not worried if I was going to get the rounds in but rather if he was," said Hatton.
Hatton says he should have left trainer earlierSachin Nakrani The Guardian, Thursday September 18 2008 Article history
Ricky Hatton with his former trainer, Billy Graham. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Ricky Hatton admits he had doubts about his long-time coach Billy Graham prior to his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr last year and now says he only kept him on for sentimental reasons. The pair split in July after an 11-year-association but Hatton - who is now under the guidance of Floyd Mayweather Sr - concedes it should have come sooner.
"I felt a couple of fights ago that I should have told him [Graham] we needed to call it a day, but I love the man so I couldn't bring myself to do it," said Hatton, who will face the New Yorker Pauli Malignaggi in Las Vegas in November. "But there's no doubt Father Time had caught up with Billy and he was not as quick as he used to be. It got to the stage in training where I was not worried if I was going to get the rounds in but rather if he was."
The pair ended their partnership after Hatton's last fight - the points victory over the Mexican Juan Lazcano in Manchester in May, his first bout after being floored by Mayweather last December. The 29-year-old looked jaded in the contest, leading some, including Hatton's former promoter Frank Warren, to suggest it was time the IBO light-welterweight champion retired.
"Frank would say that but if I asked him to re-sign me he'd jump through hoops to do so," retorted Hatton. "Maybe there were signs of wear and tear against Lazcano but I had a chest infection before the fight. The performance was the best I could have given."
Far from retiring, Hatton has his sights set on becoming the "best pound-for-pound fighter in the world" - an ambition previously brought to a halt in 10 rounds by Mayweather but which the Mancunian insists is attainable.
And he believes having Mayweather's father in his corner could make the difference.
"I haven't started working with him [Mayweather Sr] yet but I've been impressed with what he's had to say," Hatton said. "Floyd is the best defensive coach in boxing so I will learn a lot from him. He'll add strings to my bow."
They will team up late next month when Hatton travels to Las Vegas to prepare for his fight against the current IBF junior welterweight champion, Malignaggi, at the MGM Grand on November 22.
Like Hatton, Malignaggi has lost only once in his career, his only defeat in 26 fights sustained against the then unbeaten Miguel Cotto in 2006 by a unanimous points decision after the bout went the full 12 rounds at Madison Square Garden. Speaking in Manchester yesterday where the pair finally met to promote the bout - Hatton missed a press conference in Las Vegas on Saturday with suspected food poisoning - the Brooklyn-born fighter promised to triumph.
"I'm the best fighter in our division and I'll prove that on November 22," Malignaggi said.
Malignaggi's IBF title is likely to be stripped from him before the fight, however, after he refused to defend it against the Canadian Herman Ngoudjo.
That does not bother Hatton, though, who knows victory over the 27-year-old will set up another defining fight, against either Oscar De La Hoya or Manny Pacquiao, who meet on December 6 at the same venue.
"It's about leaving a legacy now," said Hatton. "I'm returning to Vegas, fighting my nearest rival and have the chance to become the best fighter on the planet by beating Oscar or Manny."
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