Home | Sport | Boxing

Boxing

Ricky's rumble

RICKY Hatton has promised to give British boxing a big boost - by winning his summer showdown with world number one Kostya Tszyu.

There are still details to be thrashed out before the two men meet for the Russian's IBF title, with the clash pencilled in for the Manchester Evening News Arena in the early hours of June 5.

With plenty of security and planning considerations for a fight which may take place in the early hours of the morning to fit in with American TV paymasters, promoters Sports Network have a major headache.

There has been talk of switching from the Arena to an outside venue such as Bolton's Reebok Stadium or the City of Manchester Stadium.

But Hatton is just keen to get the fight on after 2004 was a year of some disappointment with big fights against Kelson Pinto and Vivian Harris falling through.

"It's just going to give everyone a boost," said Hatton, recently returned from a break in Las Vegas and expected back in the gym next month.

"I am doing it for myself, but I'm also doing it for the country and all the fight fans. And hopefully this will inspire young boxers coming up through the ranks to think ... if Ricky Hatton can do it, why can't I?"

Hatton is being written off in some quarters, especially in the States and in Tszyu's adopted homeland of Australia.

They believe Hatton has been "protected" by promoter Frank Warren in building up his record of 38 straight wins, and will have a rude awakening against the accuracy and power of the "Thunder from Down Under."

But Hatton thinks differently: "The only fighter to have beaten Tszyu is Vince Philips. He took the pressure to him and that's my game, really - to come out fighting and take it to him. I know I'm up against it and I know I'm the underdog, but I couldn't be more confident."

The latest fighter to write Hatton off is South African Lovemore N'Dou, also based in Sydney, and who has sparred with the Russian.

"Kostya will walk straight through Hatton," said Ndou.

"Hatton was hurt in the last round by Ben Tackie, a fighter Kostya battered non-stop, and he was pushed all the way by Eamonn Magee, a fighter not in Kostya's class.

"Hatton has a great record but he has never been hit with the sort of power Kostya generates. His style is tailor-made for Kostya.

"He'll stand straight in front of Kostya and try to outwork him but Kostya will tee off on his chin with the right hand and to the ribs with the left hook until Hatton drops."

JAMIE Moore will bounce back from his controversial British title loss by fighting a ten-rounder in Sheffield on March 4.

The Salford light-middleweight lost his Lonsdale Belt to arch-rival Michael Jones on a disqualification in Altrincham in November.

Moore will now turn out on the undercard of Clinton Woods' challenge for the IBF light-heavyweight title.

Comments

Login or Register to comment

Come on Ricky! U rule boxing

Report This Reply

GOOD LUK RICKY. BUT WE R PLANNING TO COME AND SEE THE CONTEST. BUT WHAT ARE TICKET PRICES ?
UR GOOD FANS ALAN/ANGELA

Report This Reply

I think Kosta, will win the fight, unless something can happen, as we know boxing it's another sport which needs 100% fitness in both physical & psycological, but Kosta can fight the way I know him definately he gonna record other victory in his carrerer, but I be very happy to see Kosta vs Lovemore or Hatton vs Lovemore, I think it can be an interesting tornament to watch

Report This Reply

We all know Ricky has been boxing for a long time and brought himself through the rankings slowly, and taken out some good fighters, he's done it properly and this is his test, he's got a big fight on, probably his hardest to date, but Ricky is on it, as you'll know from his last fight how good he is and how he can turn it on. Kostya's a great fighter and i don't think he actually knows who or what Ricky can do to people. He's gonna get K.O.'d. I've got my ticket and I'm 100% behind Ricky come on Hitman!!

Report This Reply