Browse Sections

• Local football
• Local cricket

Tough it out

8/12/2004

RICKY Hatton puts his unbeaten record on the line and makes the 14th defence of his WBU light-welterweight title when he faces 36-year-old Ray Oliveira at London's Excel Arena on Saturday night.

And despite conceding 10 years in age to the 'Hitman', Oliveira has yet to be stopped and has an outstanding record of 47 wins and nine losses from 58 fights - including points victories against Vivian Harris and Vince Phillips.

But Hatton is the mandatory challenger for Kostya Tszyu's IBF light-welterweight crown and with rumours linking Tszyu with a fight against Hatton in Manchester on March 5, the Tameside-based fighter is clearly focused on the most important bout of his career to date.

"I am not making any bones about it, this is going to be one hell of a tough one," said Hatton.

"He is a right handful and the hardest opponent I have faced so far, but I know victory will see me in the ring with Tszyu and I don't need any more incentive.

"Oliveira may have had nearly 60 fights, but he hasn't taken a great deal of stick in any of them.

"There's every chance this could go the distance because he's so durable and clever. I think I can stop him but you have to look at the calibre of some of the fighters he's taken the distance.

"The more adventurous my opponent the more openings I will get, on paper he throws even more punches than me so there'll be two winners on the night: the fans and Ricky Hatton."

But Oliveira has delivered a warning to Hatton on the eve of what is shaping up to be London's fight of the year.

"We're both going to be throwing a lot of body punches and I'm going to beat Hatton at his own game," he said. "I'm going to fight like the way I fought when I was 22. I can't brawl with him because he's fighting at his weight."

Victory for Hatton - unbeaten in 37 fights - on Saturday night would take him to within touching distance of a showdown with Tszyu, the fight he has craved for the past two years, but Hatton is not looking past Saturday night just yet.

"I've got both eyes on Ray because I know I cannot afford to slip up, he's just one year older than Tszyu.

"Vince Phillips was 39 when I fought him and just look how sharp and dangerous he was when he came to Manchester," added Hatton.

"Against Tszyu, I might start as the underdog but it is the sort of fight I dream about. Very few boxers get the chance to say they fought the best in their division.

"When I beat him, the critics can eat about a ton of humble pie. Kostya Tszyu is the number one and I've always wanted to fight the best."

But Tszyu's manager Matt Watt has distanced himself from all talk of a March 2005 fight against Hatton.

"Ricky Hatton is one of a number of opponents we are considering, and if Frank Warren thinks there is almost a verbal agreement, maybe he should give me a call and tell me about it," he said.

Saturday's fight is the first time Hatton has fought in London since stopping Tony Pep in March 2001 when he won the WBU title at Wembley Arena, and should he beat Oliveira in the capital on Saturday - or become the first boxer to stop the American - Manchester may yet be the venue for the long-awaited Hitman against Tszyu shoot-out next year.