BOSTON boxing history is steeped in the traditions of Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler.

Manchester's Ricky Hatton will follow in those mighty paths when he faces Luis Collazo for the WBA welterweight title at the TD Banknorth Garden tonight.

Marciano and Hagler both emerged from the neighbouring suburb of Brockton to star in the original Garden, which was demolished in 1997.

A young Marciano knocked out Freddie Beshore in 1951 while Hagler conquered his arch-rival

Vito Antuofermo 30 years later.

Hatton has travelled further to see his name up in similar lights. But it is not only the achievements of Marciano and Hagler he is intent on equalling as he seeks to become a two-weight world champion.

The 27-year-old `Hit-Man' is approaching Collazo in his prime, but he is the first to acknowledge that he cannot sustain the exhilarating, all-action style which has won him fans across the world for ever.

Important

For Hatton, the examples Marciano and Hagler set in bravely accepting their boxing time was up are almost as important as the ferocious reputations they each deserved when the gloves were on.

Hatton said: "Marciano is a hero of every boxing fan and a yardstick for what every fighter wants to do. He got his fight and his finances, cemented his place in history and never came back.

"Hagler was another one. He got beaten by Sugar Ray Leonard and everybody said he would make a comeback but he never did. If more fighters did that they would be a lot better off further down the line."

Hatton believes he has another three years left to chase defining fights against the likes of Mayweather before he turns his thoughts to what he will do with his life beyond boxing.

But the very real risks posed by the likes of Collazo are enough to ensure Hatton is never going to shout his intentions of all-time greatness from the rooftops.

The 25-year-old Brooklyn native is a slender southpaw who lacks power but has an awkward stick-and-move style and a wealth of experience.

Collazo's points win over Jose Rivera to claim his title last April was put into context this week when Rivera moved up to comfortably claim the WBA light-middle belt against Alejandro Garcia.

Champion

Collazo said: "This is a fight which is going to put me on the top of the boxing world and while Ricky might say he is going to become a world champion in two divisions, it is not going to happen.

"It has always been like this where I am considered the underdog but that just gives me more motivation to go out there and do my thing and retain my title."

Hatton has finished his preparations in rainy Boston this week ignoring the increasingly farcical political situation that resulted in him being stripped of his remaining light-welterweight title.

Lingering sores from his occasionally acrimonious wrangle with former promoter Frank Warren have also sought to divert attention from Hatton's primary occupation.

But the greatest threat to Hatton's continued ascent remains his vulnerability to cuts. Hatton required 23 stitches after his last fight against Carlos Maussa and caused concern to trainer Billy Graham.

"I used to think cuts would wreck his career," admitted Graham.

"Now we've got the best cuts man in the world but it is still a worry. It is the only thing that can stop him."

Hatton is unlikely to let anything get in the way of a successful return to America as he enhances his growing reputation across the Atlantic.

He may have problems early with the first southpaw he has faced in two years, but ought to come through and benefit from the extra seven pounds of power to stop his opponent in the middle rounds.

Cement

Then it will be time for the thoroughly grounded Hatton to set his sights higher, towards the day when his name too might be held up as one of history's headline acts.

Hatton added: "I want to retire undefeated and cement my name in British boxing history. I'd like people in the pub in 30 years' time to say, do you remember Ricky Hatton, a two-weight world champion?

"But I want them to say I was a champion outside the ring as well. I never slagged anyone off and never hid anything. What's the point of being the best fighter in the world if everything thinks you're a loser in life?"

Hatton and Collazo each scaled right on the 10st 7lb limit at a rowdy weigh-in.

Hatton looking trim and confident said: "I definitely feel fitter and stronger at this weight - and I'm sure you're going to see the difference it's made."

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