IBO light welter titleholder Ricky Hatton may jettison long time trainer Billy Graham, according to the Manchester Evening News. Hatton's brother Matthew Hatton has recently left Graham and moved to another gym, and 'The Hitman' has been non-committal on who will train him for his November 22 fight with Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas. "I will sit down with Matthew and my dad and have a good chat about it," said Hatton. "I will take my time and make a decision, and should be in a position to say something on it in a week or so."
Monday, July 14 2008
Well, I'm quite surprised Matthew Hatton has left Graham & to me, that really doesn't bode well for Graham's hopes of continuing to be Ricky's trainer. I wonder why this happened?
If Ricky follows Matthew & leaves Graham, what positives & negatives would come from it?
I cant see any positives coming from Ricky doing the same. Theres no other trainer who knows him like Graham does and i cant see him being comfortable with someone else training him at this late stage in his career.
Surely with only afew fights left before he retires he wouldnt want to upset his usual routine??
Heard a rumour that the family weren't overly happy with Billy after the Mayweather fight, more to do with fact they didn't really think he was there for Ricky after his 1st defeat, pretty sure they travelled home separately etc and think he seriously questioned future with him then
The in house fighting started a lot sooner than the Mayweather fight. Things started to go wayward from Jan 07 onwards, the thing is no one made any secret of the saquabbling that was going on in Vegas last year. It was only a matter of time, the rumours circulating within the media were proved to be correct.
Emerson, you are probably eluding to some posters who have an inside knowledge on the Team. For instance I know Terry D has got a lot of very good information after having done some extremely good interviews with Graham and has regular contact with the likes of Speak.
Some will say no smoke without fire, but what I find very strange this time around is Matthew keeps Ricky company when they train. It is very rare they train on their own. In addition how many boxers around will train completely by themselves without any other boxers in the gym?
In addition, Matthew and Ricky are very close indeed, so whatever reasons Matthew had for leaving he would have surely discussed these with Ricky and this must have put doubt into Ricky's mind. The ring is a very lonely place at the best of times without having to train completely on your own in the gym as well without any other boxers who train at the same place.
I think it would be silly for Ricky to leave Graham at this stage. The Hatton and Graham combination have got them where they are today, why change just because of a defeat against the world's very best boxer?
I would actually suggest Ricky Hatton's problem is not Billy Graham. No one could argue otherwise that Billy Graham has done a very good job for Ricky Hatton. Unlike many people I actually give Pauli Malanaggi a very good chance against Hatton regardless of who trains Hatton. I come to that conclusion because like any other boxer who has been there, the celebrity life style and actually the burning hunger to succeed has gone and Hatton is more easier to punch than he ever was, and anyone who knows a little bit about boxing will have been alarmed at how Hatton was stopped in his tracks and was momentarily stunned on a number of occasions by what seemed harmless punches coming from Lazcano.
Another thing what drives many boxers on and keeps them determined is that ever distant dream of a massive pay day which will make them comfortable for the rest of their lives. Hatton has already had a number of them and what has happened a number of times in boxing history is a champion or a very good boxer is dethroned unexpectedly against what many people would have thought is inferior opposition.
I find it complete madness Hatton wants to change his trainer when hw states himself he will only be having 2 more fights. I as I have already stated think he will only have 1 more because Malanaggi will beat Hatton.
My view is, and always will be, I'll believe it when I see it and right now I believe it to be bollocks and that's not just my gut feel. Most of what you said I completely agree mate. Anyway, that's all I have to say on the matter.
Terry D wrote:Fatboy, no offence here mate but I have absolutely no contact with Paul Speak, none at all. Occasionaly we let on to one another.
Thank you for enlightening me on the facts!!!!
I have come into contact with Speak on a number of occasions, completely sat on the fence what to make of him personally. But, I have been present when he has caused unnecessary shit.
