RICKY HATTON has a very important date in America, but it has nothing to do with title defences or boxing at all.

For the Hitman, who made a triumphant return to the ring against Juan Lazcano in front of 58,000 delighted fans at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, is going face-to-face with Mickey Mouse!

Hyde-based Hatton, girl- friend Jennifer Dooley, seven-year-old son Campbell, together with his parents, are off to Disneyland in Florida.

Dad, Ray, who is Ricky's manager, told MEN Sport: "He's been on cruises and a safari after a fight but this time wanted to do something special for his son."

Ray revealed that the light-welterweight champion regarded his points win over Lazcano as the toughest fight of his career.

"He was very, very nervous going up against a fighter who's not been stopped for 10 years. It was hard for him in front of all those supporters. He said he was more nervous than when he made his pro debut.

"He laid a lot of ghosts on Saturday, boxing beautifully and still being on his toes after 12 rounds. He is not a Mr Safety First fighter. He was back to how he boxes best with a style that excites people."

As revealed in yesterday's M.E.N, Hatton will be fighting New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi in November with arenas and stadiums throughout the US and Canada in competition to cash-in on Hatton's fame on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ray added: "The crowd, all 58,000 of them, were magnificent and Ricky is so grateful to them for their support. He showed a lot of courage turning out in that fat-man suit because if it had gone wrong the critics would have had a field day.

"As usual we had a surgeon on stand-by but he wasn't needed as Ricky just chilled-out on Sunday."