Graham's retirement forced upon him

[Neri]

www.fightnews.com

Billy Graham, long time trainer of Ricky Hatton, has decided to retire, leaving "The Hitman" without a trainer for his November clash against Paulie Malignaggi. There had been speculation that the pair would split after Hatton's brother Matthew recently left Graham's Gym and things came to a head on Monday.

[Loynesy]

Terry

i liked your article a lot, particularly as it focused on Billy and his retirement as opposed to the obvious "Hatton splits from trainer" angle. Good work.

[rhino222]

iheard there had been big rumblings since hattons pbf fight and before, allegedly ricky was the only one in the team that valued billy, even a carpet shop owner was not too keen on him !!!

[steve689]

The carpet shop owner is the nuisance in the pack.

[kevin]

http://www.britishboxing.net/news_3668- ... ement.html

[Old bones Ian]

So does that mean the split was amicable, or have Hatton and Graham fallen out of friendship, which would be a great shame after all they have achieved together

[nickd]

Is there anyone left who's a fan of the Hatton's? Seriously.

Graham has pretty much given his life and soul to him.

[nickd]

I can't stand any of them to be honest, Hatton included.

Wankers.

[Old bones Ian]

At the end of the day its Ricky who takes the risks in the ring, Graham has been outstanding for him, but Ricky is his own man.

[DG.]

Hatton, the man of the people.

[E]

I can't stand any of them to be honest, Hatton included.

Wankers.

Classic British bitterness at success..... Bet you've never actually met any of them.

[nickd]

I can't stand any of them to be honest, Hatton included.

Wankers.

Classic British bitterness at success..... Bet you've never actually met any of them.

Bitter how?

[E]

I can't stand any of them to be honest, Hatton included.

Wankers.

Classic British bitterness at success..... Bet you've never actually met any of them.

Bitter how?

Your undeserved hatred of them.

[nickd]

I can just see through their act. All this shit about man of the people and doing things for the fans and they're all about money it's clear as day. Fair enough that's their prerogative, but continually trying to shove the man of the people shit down everyones throats got old long ago.

Fair enough if you're a fan, I no longer am.

[E]

I can just see through their act. All this shit about man of the people and doing things for the fans and they're all about money it's clear as day. Fair enough that's their prerogative, but continually trying to shove the man of the people shit down everyones throats got old long ago.

Fair enough if you're a fan, I no longer am.

Well, I don't totally agree with that. I mean a boxer has a short and dangerous career and you can't have a go at him too much for wanting to make money. After all it is his had work, talent and risk.

I have found him to be personable and approachable....haven't met the family.

As for 'the man of the people' criticism- the so-called people quickly forget themselves once a boxer's past it and no longer big news. How many popular ex-boxers have ended up broke and forgotten.....

Hatton's career and choices can be criticised but to call them wankers and hate them is a little too strong in my opinion.

[Scrap]

Good luck to Billy He will be safer Playing with his Snakes.

[HughJohnson]

Is there anyone left who's a fan of the Hatton's? Seriously.

Graham has pretty much given his life and soul to him.

I enjoy watching him fight if thats what your after....my opinion of his old man is irrelevent.

[HughJohnson]

Hatton, the man of the people.

DG toy of the arsebandit.

[Twinkle Toes]

Terry,

I thought there where problems immediately after the PBF fight, most probably exaggerated by Hatton losing. I picked up on that from what was said in your previous interviews with Graham.

In particular the staying behind in the states after the PBF fight appeared to have struck a raw nerve amongst some in the Hatton camp - Graham was at pains to explain why he stayed on in the states.

I guess there is grounds to assume that Graham has been made a bit of a scapegoat over the loss to PBF, and it has eventually led to this split.

[SticknMove]

Good work Terry.

I try to stay away from all the rumour and speculation that takes place on boxing forums.

It seems that their trainer/boxer relationship has run its course. It can only be taken that way because, as you correctly imply, if his services were still valued he would still have a role to play in his corner. It looks like Hatton wants to completely break away and introduce something fresh/different in the twilight of his career.

Graham appears to be magnanimous about it. Perhaps he’s philosophical enough to realise that (like lots of trainers) after watching many kids come through the gym over the years (a few having potential but falling by the wayside for one reason or another) in walks a kid with a bit more about him that he brought through the amateurs, turned over with and reached the pinnacle of the game.

I am sure that would be a dream for a lot of hardworking amateur trainers. He has had a good journey with Hatton and appears to be set for a good retirement. I wish him well and hope Hatton’s treatment of him doesn’t leave him bitter after he has time to dwell on things

[Poncey]

It's a real shame that the OJ fight will not be televised on SKY or Sultana to give him a proper send off.

Enjoy the retirement, Bill!

[liamlion]

I totally agree that it is Ricky and his team's decision as to who they want to train him. Ricky can not be criticised for choosing to drop one trainer over another, regardless of how long the two have been together - this sport is too hard and dangerous for sentiment.

However, if it is true that Graham was sacked and did not retire through ill-health then Ray Hatton's integrity looks non-existent - particularly in light of the quotes of the last day or two that have been attributed to Hatton snr in respect of this matter (e.g. it was Billy's decision....).

[twenty six]

Can someone tell me why the other thread(s) on this subject were deleted ?

[boxingchat]

I think it was to do wiht what was said about Paul Speak.

So much for telling like it is!

[Poncey]

Why do threads get deleted when you call someone outside BoxRec something and the thread might get locked (or nothing happens) if you say it to a poster on BoxRec?!

Should be one way or the other.