RICKY Hatton has been warned he faces the strongest threat yet to his 42-fight unbeaten record when he faces former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo on his return to Las Vegas in June.
Castillo, who shot to prominence in two epic lightweight title fights against Diego Corrales, has vowed to be in his best shape yet for what will prove one of the most hyped fights of the year.
The Mexican, who laboured to a split points decision against Cameroon's Hernan Ngoudjo on Sunday, said: "Ricky and I are both the types of fighters people enjoy seeing.
"Ricky belongs in the group with myself, Corrales and Arturo Gatti as fighters who will always bring excitement.
"We are entertainers and the public want to see us fight because they know we will bring so much action and excitement.
"I am getting ready for five more fights before I retire. I need to make sure they are all big exciting fights and a fight with Ricky is just right for me."
Castillo clearly still has weight-making issues to address. He failed to reach the lightweight limit for his second fight with Corrales, and a projected third fight was cancelled for the same reason.
June 2 or June 23 has been pencilled in for the bout, probably at the Thomas and Mack Convention Centre.
Hatton's promoter Dennis Hobson said: "To bring that sort of fight to the capital of boxing makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end."
Do you think Hatton will beat Castillo? Have your say.
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I believe that Ricky turned down 'Celebrities on Ice', maybe he is waiting to get offered 'Celebrity Come Dancing' because he certainly likes holding his opponents. Ricly says he is an exciting fighter but all he wants to do is punch then hold. He said he was like Willie Pep for the first 6 rounds. Thats rubbish, Willie Pep could fight on the inside without holding. Rickys next opponent 'Jose Luis Castillo' is 33 and well past his best and will therefore be a great opponent for Ricky, because he won't be able to keep pace. Rickys good at beating the old fighters such as Vince Phillips, Kostya Tsyzu, Freddie Pendleton etc, but when he takes on a yound fighter like Collazo or Urango, he doesn't perform like the superstar he seems to think he is. I can't believe he is still billing himself as 'Mr Excitement' after his last 2 fights, and saying that De La Hoya and Mayweather are boring!!! Good luck Ricky 'The Clinchman' Hatton
Well said Pat! He is overated, dont get me wrong he is good fighter but he beats people way past their peak, Tyszu was 35, ben Tackie was 30+ and vince phillips was 30+ and he lives off that reputation! And have you noticed he cant win fights inside the distance now! Thats cos hes stepped up in class and hes struggling to cope! His reign wont last long!
Hatton is a good fighter, yes he hasn't looked great in his last 2 fights but these fights were not going to be easy, both strong, tough fighters, i think ricky needs to look after himself a bit more we all know he likes a drink and a pie but this can't go on or else he will fail, total discipline needed for him to beat castillo.The boys top shame he supports city.
Ricky is good, we all know he's good, his mamma know he's good so why have his last fights been boring? I think he should just forget about the pies and guiness till he retires and concentrate on keeping in shape for the 2 year that he'll still be fighting for! I can't see any of the other boxers letting themselves go and getting fat! I'll tell you know if he ever gets to fight Mayweather he'll have to be in the best physical condition of his life! Breeze!
Not every fight will be a grandstand dismantling of an opponent. No Ricky did not look his best, but Urango as with Collazo, was a much bigger and stronger opponent, it isnt always possible to get the TKO, but make sure you ramp up the punches, land them, outbox and outwork your opponent and you will win, which is what he did. Ok, by his own admission he had to suck in a few big hits, thats always going to happen, and yes he was holding for long parts but thats called preserving your energy and making sure you get through it because im quite sure that a large part of the reason was becuase Hatton probably knew early on he would have to go the distance and in whcih case he would need to keep his rate up. Ok his pies and Guiness diet isnt ideal, and yes, he isnt helping his body by cutting so much in his training schedule, but, im damn sure he'll be ready for Castillo, styles make fights and this will be a great fight, Ricky to look like hes running ouf of steam in the 9th and 10th and KO in the 11TH. Sean, 4 x 2, City till i die.
I think Hatton isn't as good as he was 3 years ago, i think if it cam down to it, Junior Wittor would beat him! Hatton is finished!
Joel Warner, Salford, No way would Witter bring da ruckus to Hitman, hed wipe the ceiling with the boy.
In any case, Hatton to retire in two more fights and Witter the Womble wont be one of them.
I think hatton is well fit, even when he's fat!
Win it for me ricky
big bob chops emmm they sound tasty
hatton hatton
moses well you shud know about energy eh son, i know you run forever and not a suprise u are a city fan, stockport by any chance? who knows who cares lets talk hatton, fast, nasty, agile, porky!! joel the negative spark in the box i feel you box for longsmabox in club. feeling you
why is everyone going on about hatton?
at the end of the day (its dark) hes from manchester and done us proud.also he is a city supporter just like me.
anyone who wants to speak to me please feel free
yvonne@cloud9.co.uk
cheers
y
Ricky will come back even stronger beleive me there's a lot of iron that there Guiness. But on a serious note i think the recent shortfall of his performances have been due to that kid that used to dance you know the one that did the "Denny shuffle" without that inspiration its all down hill from here.
Ricky Hatton is the bravest most taleted boxer that ever lived. He shoudl be the world number one in my eyes. he's a nice guy and he's never been beat. What more would you want froma man?
Hatton is the man, he's gonna do the big one and then retire and forever be in the history books as the norths greatest boxing champ!
Hey there lads. Whoever thinks that Castillo is over the hill will get a quick dose of reality when Manchester City's son gets his butt whipped. Castillo's career vs upper eschelon fighters obliterates most of Hatton's. The only name fighter that Hatton fought was Kostya Tzyu, and he was well past his prime. Ben Tackie?? Garbage. Vince Phillips?? Double Garbage. Wait and see Castillo destroy Hatton. Manchester's dark day will come soon.
Some good comments. Ricky, I think you are good, just good. To be great, in my eyes, beat an aging Castillo convincingly, then win your next two fights, against young, good, dangerous fighters, or the likes of Mayweather. I dont believe Mayweather will fight you though. Mayweather choosing to fight Ricky Hatton is like Hatton choosing to fight Witter. But if does really want to unify the division, He has to go through Witter.
To do anything, you have to lose that Fatton image, everyone could tell you tired dramatically during the Urango fight, that was down to your lifestyle.
Anyway, as I said, I think you are good, and could be great. My opinion will be changed after Collazo fights Mosely on February 10. Collazo will give Mosely problems, if Collazo wins, Ricky will take another step up the ladder.
See you in Vegas in June
ricky. will.do.the.buisness. against.castillo,who.in.my.opinion.
got.beat.on.20.january.at.
the.paris.hotel.in.las.vegas