BoxRec

Posted: **16 May 2009, 15:33**

Trainer Billy Graham Sues Ricky Hatton For £1 million

by James Slater - More bad news for Ricky Hatton. Not only does the British boxing superstar lose by a brutal 2nd round knockout to Manny Pacquiao - very possibly suffering a career-ending loss in doing so - but now his former trainer, Billy Graham is reportedly suing "The Hitman" for a whopping £1 million! According to Mirror Sport, 53-year-old Graham, once a father figure to Hatton, is suing over payment he is still owed from both the Juan Lazcano and Floyd Mayweather Junior fights. Reportedly, Graham was paid £530,000 for the Mayweather Junior fight, but he claims that this amount is considerably less than the ten percent he should have been paid for that fight. Graham says he has not been paid anything at all for the Lazcano fight..

So far, there have been no reply comments made by Ricky, but this is indeed an issue that is likely to upset him. Graham, nicknamed "The Preacher," is the man who discovered Hatton well over a decade ago, and the two forged a deep and seemingly everlasting bond as the young fighter worked his way up the pro ranks to world title glory. Now it looks as though this friendship is gone for good. Hatton famously sacked Graham last summer, and hired the services of the extrovert Floyd Mayweather Senior as a replacement.

This move stunned Graham, but he has recently revealed that the critical verbal job Mayweather Senior did on him in public, with Hatton by his side and saying nothing in his defence, hurt a whole lot more than his being let go did. And now, further driving a wedge between the two men, is the court action Graham has/is taking.

Graham tipped his former fighter to defeat Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd, saying he felt Hatton would win in sensational style. After the fight, however, Graham said he'd made his prediction based on the old Ricky Hatton. But after the fight, Graham told Boxing News that "the real Ricky Hatton is not there any more." Graham also said he would never wish to see Ricky go anywhere near a boxing ring again.

Hatton has yet to make up his mind as to whether or not he carries on with his boxing career, but there is absolutely no chance of a re-hiring of Graham now, should he indeed choose to fight again.

It goes from bad to worse for Ricky! He has admitted his head is all over the place right now, so it won't get any better in the short-term for Ricky I feel!

With Graham suing Ricky, any chance of the two being on good terms has been shot down in flames without a shadow of a doubt!

What do you make of this guys?

Posted: **16 May 2009, 15:51**

Genuinally surprised at this one - bloody hell!!!

Posted: **16 May 2009, 15:52**

It seems like a very personal matter between the two.

At the Hatton Sportsman Dinner last night, Hatton slated a few people, but only had good 'memories' to say of Graham. It's a shame it's come to this.

Posted: **16 May 2009, 16:00**

At the end of the day, if he owes Graham money then he owes him money. Doesn't matter if they were mates, Graham isn't gonna go "ah don't worry bout that million pounds you owe me, buddy" - not Graham's fault he's been short changed.

Posted: **16 May 2009, 16:17**

jBacca wrote:It seems like a very personal matter between the two.

At the Hatton Sportsman Dinner last night, Hatton slated a few people, but only had good 'memories' to say of Graham. It's a shame it's come to this.

Absolutely!!!

I get extremely angry about certain things - this area makes my f*cking blood boil!!!

Various threads on this board have hinted at things.

It is my belief things that have gone on behind the scenes for some time have in my most humble opinion tarnished some of the good Ricky Hatton has done for boxing - his achievements in my view are considerable.

I on occasions crossed paths with Billy Graham - I thought just sometimes he was a tadge difficult to please with regards to working with him behind the scenes at BIG shows - one particular occasion we had forgotten to put a "waiver" to his food charges at Caesers Palace for the Urango fight - unfortunately for me it was me who had to deal with things and I went away from a tongue lashing from Billy thinking "you ****". There were other times when Billy blew his top - people just got the f*ck out of the way as soon as possible.

I do not state the above to disrespect Billy in anyway whatsoever - Billy expected high standards of service from the promoters and if he didn't get it - he let people know in an extremely forthright manner.

But with that said I had the utmost respect for Billy - he was one of the subjects of what I felt the "sniping behind the scenes" - albeit petty but it was constant and it got right on my nerves because regardless of what anyone states Billy did a fantastic job for Ricky Hatton and as such deserved to get his due respects for that.

I have the utmost respect for Ricky too and its my opinion this whole saga has been caused by others.

This saga is everything that is bad about boxing!!!!

Posted: **16 May 2009, 16:37**

what the fck is this pile of cat sh*t??

discovered Hatton well over a decade ago..........try about 22 years more like........fee for bout against Mayweather Jnr???????
as opposed to which other bout?? Mayweather fcking Senior???

what a pile of cat sh*t.

I didn't make it past half way.

Posted: **16 May 2009, 18:49**

jeej wrote:At the end of the day, if he owes Graham money then he owes him money. Doesn't matter if they were mates, Graham isn't gonna go "ah don't worry bout that million pounds you owe me, buddy" - not Graham's fault he's been short changed.

agreed. money is money at the end of the day, this just goes to show what hatton is really like. pay the man his money you miserable c*nt

Posted: **16 May 2009, 20:00**

It depends what Graham is actually entitled too, its unfair to say Ricky is the wrong without establishing the facts. What exactly was agreed before the fight? A gentleman's agreement that goes back years doesn't hold water although I'm sure he thinks it does.

Simply put fighters earning £20million don't see their trainers as worth £2million. Earning £500k+ for training Hatton for 3months is a bloody good payday, on par with the world's best paid trainers.

I always said Graham was shown the boot because of money and rightfully so, he's not worth £2million per fight, no one is, Delahoya wouldnt pay anyone that either. And if anyone thinks he's worth that then find another fighter willing to pay him that.

Bottom line the likes of Billy Graham and Brendan Ingle overpriced their services for their respective fighters and cut off their noses to spite their faces

Posted: **16 May 2009, 21:13**

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Simply put fighters earning £20million don't see their trainers as worth £2million. Earning £500k+ for training Hatton for 3months is a bloody good payday, on par with the world's best paid trainers.

I say Billy Graham is fully entitled to get his dues!!! - Billy Graham whether people agree or not was training one of the worlds best paid boxers and as such was entitled the money that goes with that - Team Hatton have a fight on their hands here and I hope Mr Graham gets his rewards!!!

Posted: **17 May 2009, 03:03**

I tell you what Graham COULD sue them for: slander.

The way the Team Hatton weent about crucifying his training ability was a disgrace.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 03:54**

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:It depends what Graham is actually entitled too, its unfair to say Ricky is the wrong without establishing the facts. What exactly was agreed before the fight? A gentleman's agreement that goes back years doesn't hold water although I'm sure he thinks it does.

Simply put fighters earning £20million don't see their trainers as worth £2million. Earning £500k+ for training Hatton for 3months is a bloody good payday, on par with the world's best paid trainers.

I always said Graham was shown the boot because of money and rightfully so, he's not worth £2million per fight, no one is, Delahoya wouldnt pay anyone that either. And if anyone thinks he's worth that then find another fighter willing to pay him that.

Bottom line the likes of Billy Graham and Brendan Ingle overpriced their services for their respective fighters and cut off their noses to spite their faces

Don't you think all the years they put in for very little, enabling the fighters to get these huge pay days in the first place, deserves proper recognition when the money does come in?

I'm not sure who you mean re the Ingles. They charge all their fighters exactly the same. The only one who has ever had a different deal was Hamed - because they were making enough from him as it was.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 04:25**

Hands up those promising young fighters that want to be managed & promoted by the Hattons..

Come on, hands up..

Posted: **17 May 2009, 04:45**

The bit where Graham says he was most upset about Rickt just standing there when FMS slagged him off at every opportunity was just sad.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 05:22**

Chapter 3 in the spooky comparison season.
Hatton = Naz.
Graham = Ingle.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 05:26**

twenty six wrote:Chapter 3 in the spooky comparison season.
Hatton = Naz.
Graham = Ingle.

x2

Posted: **17 May 2009, 05:29**

Posted: **17 May 2009, 05:47**

Post subject: Re: Graham sues Ricky!

Hands up those promising young fighters that want to be managed & promoted by the Hattons..

Come on, hands up..

Come on Abbo, you could say that about ALL promotional companies.
Don't be naive!

Would you want your son looked after by: Allegedly / Maloney / King etc?

They have to sign with somebody & boxing is a difficult business.

If the Hatton's pay the boxers more then the kids will go to them. That is just a simple fact matey!
It's all about the money!!

Posted: **17 May 2009, 05:57**

MR UNTOUCHABLE wrote:Post subject: Re: Graham sues Ricky!

Hands up those promising young fighters that want to be managed & promoted by the Hattons..

Come on, hands up..

Come on Abbo, you could say that about ALL promotional companies.
Don't be naive!

Would you want your son looked after by: Allegedly / Maloney / King etc?

They have to sign with somebody & boxing is a difficult business.

If the Hatton's pay the boxers more then the kids will go to them. That is just a simple fact matey!
It's all about the money!!

not much chance of decent purses if 'eberneezer' ray hatton is anything to do with punch promotions thats for sure, he is as tight as a camels arse in a sandstorm...

Posted: **17 May 2009, 05:58**

Listening to him on the Bunce hour he seemed to hold no grudge im really surprised by this news

Posted: **17 May 2009, 06:14**

It eats at you mate.
Brendan nurtured Naz from the age of 11, took him all over the place and lost money.
Then when the big fights came along, Brendan's time, devotion, skill, begins to reap rewards with the Trainer percentage.
Enter Raith and other members of the family, and the money is kept in house - totally in breach of Contract and with complete disdain for the man who got him there.
Now, change the name Naz for Hatton and Brendan for Billy and what do you get ?
I hope Billy gets his dues I really do.
I also hope he doesn't let it eat away to the extent I know it did with Brendan.
What is wrong with these people ?
Hatton isn't exactly gonna spend all his dosh is he with the lifestyle he's decided upon.
He wont be buying a multi million pad in Kensington, wont be driving a Bentley, and wont be quaffing champagne.
He'll be living round the corner from mum, driving his X5, and downing guinness - and good luck to the kid.
A million in due fees to a man who deserves it is f""k all in the scheme of things.
Likewise with Naz.
Paying Brendan would not have put him on Jobseekers Allowance.
Common denominator ?
Leaches on the perifory taking taking taking.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 06:29**

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote: Don't you think all the years they put in for very little, enabling the fighters to get these huge pay days in the first place, deserves proper recognition when the money does come in?

I'm not sure who you mean re the Ingles. They charge all their fighters exactly the same. The only one who has ever had a different deal was Hamed - because they were making enough from him as it was.

To an extent yes, but surely 500k for a few months work is the pay off and wanting more than that is just greedy and unrealistic of a trainers worth. Don't you think Graham has made millions off the back of Hatton.

Ingle wanted the same percent deal (was it 10-20?) that he agreed with Hamed when Hamed was 7. When it got to paying Ingle near the 7 figures and Ingle not wanting to take less he was rightfully told to do 1.

The fact is Hatton could get a better trainer in Floyd Sr for 1/4 of the price Billy Graham wanted him to cough up.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 07:57**

If Hatton owed me a Million quid, friend or no friend, and he just got a Twelve million pound pay day, then i'm going to get my money.

Nice one Billy, set the dogs on him.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 10:01**

Right or Wrong, Bills been there from day one. He deserves it.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 10:19**

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:It depends what Graham is actually entitled too, its unfair to say Ricky is the wrong without establishing the facts. What exactly was agreed before the fight? A gentleman's agreement that goes back years doesn't hold water although I'm sure he thinks it does.

Simply put fighters earning £20million don't see their trainers as worth £2million. Earning £500k+ for training Hatton for 3months is a bloody good payday, on par with the world's best paid trainers.

I always said Graham was shown the boot because of money and rightfully so, he's not worth £2million per fight, no one is, Delahoya wouldnt pay anyone that either. And if anyone thinks he's worth that then find another fighter willing to pay him that.

Bottom line the likes of Billy Graham and Brendan Ingle overpriced their services for their respective fighters and cut off their noses to spite their faces

i agree trainers dont deserve all that money,but only if a successfull fighter approaches them.
a man that as brought the lad up, been on the breadline together sharing the same dream together is wrong.
hatton seems ungratefull & disrespectfull for not paying graham for the laczano fight.

Posted: **17 May 2009, 10:20**

Scrap wrote:Right or Wrong, Bills been there from day one. He deserves it.

Completely agreed!!!

Someone has already touched on it - sometimes you have trainers who travel the length and bredth of the country with their fighters and do not make a living out of it - you dream of the chance of training a champion - one for the boxing side of things and the other is you might just make a few quid out of it to pay the bills.

Whether people think its excessive money - I do not feel it is - Billy Graham is getting a very very small percentage of what Ricky Hatton has been paid in a number of fights.

Good Luck Billy Graham it would be good for you to get the money you have rightly earned!!!