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FINALISING his preparations: Ricky Hatton is winding down his training to ensure he is completely ready for Kostya Tszyu when the pair go head to head in the early hours of June 5.
FINALISING his preparations: Ricky Hatton is winding down his training to ensure he is completely ready for Kostya Tszyu when the pair go head to head in the early hours of June 5.

Caution’s the key

Gavin Browne
25/ 5/2005

RICKY Hatton said he will have 'a few things' up his sleeve to try and wrest away Kostya Tszyu's IBF light-welterweight title.

Having made the weight and spent two weeks sparring with a pair of Argentinian fighters, Hatton is confident he can upset the bookies' odds and keep the belt in Manchester.

He also warned Tszyu that he would find himself facing an opponent similar in strength for the first time.

Hatton said: "Ultimately, my style, work rate, the good work I do up close, the pressure and the pace will be the things that could do him, but I need a bit more than that to beat Kostya - I've got to be cute and cagey in the way I do it.

"We have been working on a few things in the gym to be more aware of his main strength which is his power in his right hand.

"I've got a few things up my sleeve for him - everyone expects my work rate and pressure but I have more than that in my armoury.

"I think Kostya's physical strength is similar to mine but I think this is the first time he's going to meet someone as strong as him, if not more so."

While some people - notably Tszyu himself and WBC champion Miguel Cotto - have said Hatton will find the step up in class to great from what he is used to, others disagree.

Hatton's trainer Billy Graham retorted: "Throughout history, every time a challenger gets his chance to fight the best, he has to step up in class.

"This is just a normal thing as far as I'm concerned."

Hatton added: "I've beaten some good men like Vince Phillips, Ray Oliveira and Ben Tackie and think of how many rounds I lost against them.

"Kostya Tszyu is a step up but it would be disrespectful to say I won those fights easily.

"I say to people not to look at who I have beaten, but to look at how I have beaten them instead.

"I have always said the better the boxer I face, the better boxer I would be - when I have been on top in fights, I didn't get the chance to show what's in my armoury but I've been bursting for this opportunity."


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Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   in the 30's there were lots of great boxers in tameside area. Many old Ashtonians will remember the Boxing Stadium on cavendish street near WHARF ST.My Father John Wager used to box there. As world war 2 started like many other places it closed down; I wish you success in your forthcoming events. june short.
june short, edgewater florida.
29/05/2005 at 20:51
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