Hatton's letter to the fans

December 18, 2007

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Dear M.E.N. readers,

I moved up in weight to challenge the man quite rightly regarded as the best pound for pound fighter in the world Floyd Mayweather Junior.

This was the third time this year that I have fought in Las Vegas and two years since I last fought in England. Each fight has seen more and more Brits travel across the Atlantic for what can only described as an amazing journey and the journey is still not over.

For the fight 30,000 people invaded the city of Las Vegas, 7,000 fans turned up inside the arena for the weigh in and as many again were unable to gain entry. A capacity crowd of 16,000 watched the fight live, and thousands watched on closed circuit television screens throughout Las Vegas.

Every where I went in Las Vegas I saw Brits laughing and joking in their “Fatty’s gonna get you T shirts”. I was stopped in the street by people who just wanted to wish me well and offer their support both British and American alike. It even rained on the day of the weigh in and with so many Brits just for a moment it felt like I was back home in Manchester.

The fight did not go the way I had hoped and planned for and I was stopped in the 10th round. Throughout the fight the crowd could be heard singing there’s only one Ricky Hatton, even in defeat their support did not waver. Amazing.

Following the fight, Floyd put his arms around me and we shared some kind words and a mutual respect that only boxing can bring. It was nice of Floyd to say that I had given him his toughest fight and that the British fans made it a memorable night to remember.

It’s not easy losing when you set your goals so high but throughout my journey one thing has been the consistent, the support of my fans. Given the choice of all the belts in the world or the support of the fans, the fans support will always come first. I can say with all honesty that I have the best fans in the world.

This Christmas I will spend time with my family and I will take a long deserved holiday before going back into the gym in the New Year.

I have no doubt that I will be back in the ring as I am still the undisputed Light welterweight World champion. I have spoken with my Dad and we both agree that the time is right and we would like to repay the fans loyalty with a fight in this country.

And so at this time of year I would like to wish you and your families a Happy Christmas God bless you all and I will look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Thank you so much for your support.

Ricky

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The Iceman Cometh, Manchester (18/12/2007 at 12:46)

You did us proud Ricky ... look forward to the next one!

GOD IS A BLUE, Failsworth (18/12/2007 at 13:59)

There's only one ricky hatton.

twistedsister, Okalhoma, USA (19/12/2007 at 14:40)

Ricky, you are a class act adn true champion even in defeat. I cheered for both of you until the end.

Jim (19/12/2007 at 14:56)

I'm an American and a big Ricky Hatton fan. I'm sure he'll be back on top very soon.

Pierre, Skokie, IL (19/12/2007 at 15:18)

There's only one RICKY HATTON! Im from the USA and have been following your fights for a long time. I am proud to be one of your fans. Cant wait till your next fight. God Bless you and your family, and have a great Christmas!

Scott (19/12/2007 at 17:21)

Ricky, I think you fought an excellent fight, but I think you were not able to fight "your" fight. Every time you even got close to Mayweather, Joe Cortez would break you up and was doing much too often and much too soon. I could understand if you were holding or there was no action, but Joe Cortez would break even when you were punching. I sincerely think if the officiating was better, you could and would have won the fight.

Best wishes to you and your family and I can't wait to see you fight again (hopefully in a rematch against Mayweather).

elgranpibedecurramba, USA (19/12/2007 at 19:48)

Ricky, Let me be the first one to be honest and sincere with you. Life is about struggles and overcoming your obstacle. Although your fans like my self wanted you to win and win by t.k.o.. it was impossible. and it was not because of the referee or bad day.. it was simply because you did not know how to fight a smart fighter like Floyd Mayweather. Frankly Getting Knocked out was the best thing that happened to you. If you are a real champion, and not a chump, you would consider reviewing and reviewing the tape of your first loss, and learn from it. Who knows perhaps having a rematch after 6 months of studying this last fight will do you a lot of good. Come on.. lets be honest.. you were outclassed, out punched and easily outsmarted.

Prove to the fans and most of all prove to yourself you are a real champ.. Learn from this fight, and learn how to box a boxer. you already know how to brawl with a brawler.

Doug Southall (19/12/2007 at 20:25)

Ricky,
There was no way you were going to win that fight. You received a gift when given the nod from the Collazo bout, and the disrespect your country-men showed when booing our national anthem cemented your fate.
I personally find it fitting that the fighter represented by such disrespectful fans finished the fight on his back.
Good luck next time...

david f, NYC (19/12/2007 at 23:10)

Ricky, you are a class act. I'd love to share a pint! Can't wait for you next fight.

Albert Lee (19/12/2007 at 23:54)

Ricky, I thought you were very competitive against Mayweather until the 10th round. I look forward to seeing more of your fights next year and you are still, by far, the best Junior Welterweight out there.

Jorge Luis Negron (20/12/2007 at 00:08)

Hello Ricky!

I am from Puerto Rico, and as you know, our island has given great champs: Sixto Escobar, Gomez, Benitez, Chapo Rosario, Trinidad, etc. However, I have been a fan of yours and always argued with journalists (2years ago) that you were the only one that could defeat Cotto. It could have been one of the best body punching fights in this era, and maybe in the history of Boxing...

The Mayeather fight: He showed more ring wisdom, he waited to catch you open and he got a perfect punch. In boxing, this happens... I have been and will always be your fan. Besides Ali, Duran, Calzage and Trinidad, you are within my favorite fighters of all time.

I wish The Creator Blesses you and your Family in this Holidays Season and forever!

Verballistic, Yuma, AZ (20/12/2007 at 00:54)

I have been a Floyd Mayweather since he was an amateur and I would like to give "big ups" to Ricky Hatton for a great showing against Floyd. He's got alot of grit and I wish him well at 140 pounds! Hatton's fans are clearly the most loyal in boxing!! Do me a favor Ricky...shut the mouth of that pretender known as Junior Twitter by knocking him into next year!! He is only jealous of you because you were able to something he couldnt & that was to "crack America", which you did by winning respect and fans here in the USA!! Twitter stank the house out so bad when he lost to impostor Zab Judah that he is still a laughing stock in America to this day!!

Kris Roberts (20/12/2007 at 01:11)

I am an American and a rabid fight fan. My family all sat around the TV to watch the fight against Floyd Mayweather. By the end of the first round I felt like throwing my TV out the window due to all the nonsense from the referee. Ricky, it is amazing that you still took the p4p king on who is a bigger man to the limit and make him really work hard for his win. (And you had to fight the referee as well) To top it off at the end, you had nothing but good and positive things to say about everybody involved. Guys like you remind me of the great American stars of fifty years ago. You are humble, down to earth and a positive role model. Thanks and Merry Christmas!!!

Richard (20/12/2007 at 03:21)

Great Fight Ricky! Horrible refereeing from Joe Cortez. Everytime you would go in and box that hack Mayweather, Cortez would pull you out or call you on tying Floyd up. Floyd was tying you up and pulling his elbows across time and time again. I hope you would get a rematch against that guy and do it in Manchester!! Best of luck to you Ricky and look forward to your next bout!

Matthew, McAllen, TX, U.S.A (20/12/2007 at 04:36)

Ricky, you gave a good account of yourself and showed yourself to be a man of quality. I think that compared to the way De La Hoya fought Mayweather, you definitely showed your mettle and skill. I know De La Hoya could have put the pressure on Mayweather a lot more but he didn't. He's not that kind of guy. You however are and the difference in the way you two fought Mayweather is like night and day. Even though you fell in battle, you went out like a warrior. You can say you went for it and really tried which is more than De La Hoya can say. There is no shame in losing, but its how you lose that people will remember.You had no reservations and the people admire this about you. It's fighters like you that inspire song and celebration. The fans that followed you to the States give testament to this fact. God bless you and yours and here's to a happy new year! Cheers mate.
Matthew Flores

p.s. I don't know if you will ever read this but I hope these comments by all of us find you somehow.

Stewart1.618034, Huddersfield (20/12/2007 at 14:30)

Kris Roberts says it all...

Top Man Ricky, see you down the CoMS soon and fighting in Manchester too where you WILL beat Mayweather given the chance!

Best Regards

CTID

Goldenboy24, Autin, Texas (20/12/2007 at 16:24)

Hello Matthew! Dela Hoya is in his prime anymore, if he was he would of put it on May Weather which is is to quick just ask Hatton. Mayweather did not try to attack Dela Hoya for fear of that left hook that would of put in on the floor which Mayweathers Dad told him to loko out for. Dela should of stayed with his signature jab and he would of cruised to a win! If Hatton fights Dela Hoya look for a quicker knock out because you can't bull rush Dela Hoya just ask Mayorga! I give Hatton his props for fighting a good almost
smart fight until the end. See what 2008 brings in store for us fight fans!

Blue Arab (20/12/2007 at 21:48)

Merry Xmas Ricky and a happy new year.

Cant wait to see you back in the ring, please ignor idiots like Doug Southall. he propably is cowboy from Texas, the same reason we boo evrytime we hear the American anthem.

Vicki (20/12/2007 at 22:32)

I think I speak for more fight fans than can be counted on both sides of the pond when I say that I enjoyed every second of “walking in a Hatton wonderland” on the night of December 8 and the days and weeks before. Regardless of the outcome of the fight, Ricky Hatton has so much to be proud of for his performance. Personally, I will never be able to wipe the image of Floyd Mayweather Jr. very nearly being toppled in the second round. It was glorious. And I look forward to cheering The Hitman on through many more years of a glorious boxing career.

mylifeinthemafia (21/12/2007 at 09:04)

And what about those lovely so called fans who booed the American anthem.

BOXING COACH JACK CROWELL 4905 LAKE HARBOR RD. MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN USA 49441, MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN USA (22/12/2007 at 10:40)

Dear Ricky Hatton, his Boxing Team, Family little son and U.K. Fans. I attended the Ricky Hatton vs. Mayweather fight in Las Vegas. Ricky you know no fear and came to fight. You won the hearts of Americans. You deserve a rematch. I know the entire Mayweather family and worked in Uncle Roger Mayweather's corner. Floyd Jr. was sincere when he said you gave him his toughest fight. I met the great U.K. fans. They love you and we do to here in USA. Sincerely, Boxing Coach Jack Crowell P.S. Say hello to a great trainer Billy Graham and his team for me.

Doug Southall (22/12/2007 at 15:09)

To Blue Arab:
Come on over to Las Vegas and we can discuss your opinion of me.
Be forewarned that there's a good chance you will end up on your back as well.
Your childish name-calling has an elementary school aura to it.
Let me know when you can make it.

stephen brooks (29/12/2007 at 21:23)

To Dougie you come over here hardman. We were just in vegas you didnt do nothing .Typical yank mouthpiece .booooooo

Doug Southall (30/12/2007 at 19:45)

I can meet you at the airport.
You really need to let me know when you can make it here, not AFTER you've gone back. There is no fun in that.
You can read who sank to childish name-calling, I'd prefer to discuss our differences face to face.
Now, when can we get together?

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