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Hitman not ready to hang up gloves

19/12/2007

BOXING hero Ricky Hatton’s feet barely touched the floor when he arrived back in Manchester.

Hardly stopping to catch his breath after his defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather, the Hattersley Hitman was off up to Scotland to support pal Steven Foster in his bout against Scot Alex Arthur. And there’s still no rest this week as he’s taking part in three charity nights, according to dad Ray.

He said: "He doesn’t like to let anyone down. This is what people appreciate about him and why he gets such a following."

Ray and wife Carol – who has become something of a media star herself – rubbed shoulders with celebrities like David Beckham and Brad Pitt in Las Vegas.

A master of understatement, he said watching Ricky get knocked out by the Pretty Boy "wasn’t very nice" but that the atmosphere was "incredible".

"When he went down I was more concerned that he was okay, but he got up within a few seconds and he was talking all right," said Ray, who has a carpet business in Hyde and is also his son’s manager.

"He was disappointed for the fans. I had to be a bit stern with him and say you’ve done yourself no damage and you’re still the undisputed light welterweight champion.

"He’ll be out again maybe April/May. We’re working on plans now to have a fight at home to repay the fans’ loyalty."

And he put paid to any rumours Ricky might be hanging up his gloves any time soon.

"He has said he’ll stop when he stops getting the buzz and stops wanting to go to the gym and he’s definitely not at that stage."

But for now the family are looking forward to the yearly Christmas shindig at Ricky’s Hyde home.

"He always has a big get-together for all his friends and family. We have karaoke and singing and dancing with aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews," said Ray.