Name: Ricky Hatton Career Record: click Alias: The Hitman Birth Name: Richard Hatton Nationality: British Birthplace: Stockport, England Hometown: Manchester, England Born: 1978-10-06 Stance: Orthodox Height: 5' 6" Reach: 65"

Professional Career

In the ring, Hatton is known for his busy, attack-focused (he is a committed body puncher), and crowd-pleasing style. He has also won fans for his 'down-to-earth' charisma, and, until the emergence of Amir Khan, was almost undisputedly England's most popular boxer since Naseem Hamed.

Rise to Stardom

On 5 June 2005 Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu, who was widely regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, by a technical knockout after the Australian failed to answer the bell for the 12th round. Hatton was a heavy underdog for this fight, and the victory announced his entry to the upper echelon of the world boxing scene. Prior to the fight the majority of boxing critics had given Hatton little or no chance and this victory was regarded as one of the best victories by an English boxer in the last 20 years. Critics denigrate his generally unimpressive level of opposition prior to the Kostya Tszyu bout, but Hatton has expressed desire to meet the most potent challengers and establish a legacy.

On 26 November 2005 he won the WBA title when he defeated Carlos Maussa in the ninth round of a unification bout.

In December 2005, Hatton was named the 2005 Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year.

Ricky Hatton surrendered his IBF belt on 29 March 2006 after refusing to fulfil a mandatory defence against number one contender Naoufel Ben Rabah. This is because he intended to move up in weight to face better competition.

Moving To Welterweight

Hatton moved up a division to meet American Luis Collazo for the WBA welterweight crown which took place on 13 May 2006. Hatton surrendered his WBA light-welterweight title, to ensure that Collazo's WBA welterweight title was on the line for the title fight. Hatton defeated Collazo in a close 12-round unanimous decision to become the new WBA welterweight champion. However, Hatton relinquished this title on August 31, 2006.

Back to Light Welterweight

Hatton moved backed to junior welterweight in January 2007 for his challenge of Juan Urango's IBF junior welterweight title, successfully winning it with a 12 round unanimous decision in Las Vegas. On the undercard of Hatton vs Urango, Jose Luis Castillo won a controversial split decision over Herman Ngoudjo setting up a meeting of Hatton vs Castillo sometime in June 2007.

Ricky Hatton surrendered his IBF belt on 11 MFebruary 2007.

Outstide The Ring

Ricky Hatton is also a passionate supporter of Manchester City football club, with strong links to the club via his father, a former player. His entrance music is the club song "Blue Moon" as performed by the band "Supra".

Hatton is also a supporter of 'The Village News', Haughton Green's (in Denton, Manchester) local newspaper made by children, all in aid of Willow Wood Hospice (in Ashton-under-Lyne). He supported them at a charity auction by appearing and signing boxng gloves to be auctioned. The evening raised £1600 for charity.

Ricky was also recently a special guest speaker for The Toby Henderson Trust at a sportsmans dinner at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel. Thanks to Rickys help via donations and a highly successful auction, a lot of money was raised for the Centre for Autism Development.

Amateur Accomplishments

• Amateur Record: 73-7
• 1996 Junior World Championships Light Welterweight Bronze Medalist
• 1997 ABA Light Welterweight Champion

Awards and Recognition

• 2005 Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year: Hatton is the first British boxer to receive the award since its inception in 1928
• 2005 ESPN.com Fighter of the Year
• Ricky received the award of MBE for services to sport in the 2007 New Year Honours List
  
  

External Links

Ricky Hatton - Official Website