The pulling power of Ricky Hatton by Jonny Callender May 19th 2008

Boxing promoter Frank Maloney believes Ricky Hatton is the "biggest British sportsman in years" and says he is a more attractive crowd puller than former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis ever was. Hatton will fight Juan Lazcano in the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday 24th and with 55,000 expected to turn out to watch "Hatton's Homecoming". Maloney praised the Hitman's ability to get the public interest in the sport. He said: "When I first got into boxing I was told there was two types of business in boxing: there is the boxing business and then there is the heavyweight business. "Since getting involved with Ricky and his team I have realised there is the boxing business, the heavyweight business and then the Hatton business. "Lennox Lewis would never have been able to sell 55,000 tickets for a fight, it would be impossible for anyone to do that.    "He is taking boxing to a new level. This is more than a boxing match, this is an event and that is all down to Ricky himself. "No sportsman in the history on British sport has done this before. Ricky is responsible for 55,000 people turning up at the City of Manchester Stadium. He is unique to the public.     "I think he will show the way forward in this business on how to get the crowds there.   "Everybody will be out enjoying themselves by 11pm if I am not mistaken, any other promoter facilitates the American TV but Ricky is doing this fight for the British public. (Of course he is. - Ed.) "I think Ricky will out earn Lennox Lewis, it will take some doing but it can be done over the next three of four fights."     Indeed, Hatton has a huge following but in order to ‘out-earn' former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis, the Hitman will have to have more than just a couple more bouts as Lennox managed to notch up some sizeable purses including a £15.5 million purse when he defeated Mike Tyson. Hatton's biggest payday to date was the estimated £15 million earned for his efforts against pound-for-pound pretty boy Floyd Mayweather. The Hitman will have to dust himself off after being comprehensively out-boxed and defeated (for the first time) whilst earning his last whopping pay cheque as, contrary to many people's opinions, Juan Lazcano could still pose Ricky problems. Lazcano took a ‘peak' Jose Castilio the distance en route to losing a unanimous decision and has some good wins on his record including former Hatton victim Ben Tackie (unanimous decision) and Stevie Johnston (TKO round eleven). The reason for the negative reaction to team Hatton's choice of Lazcano as Ricky's next opponent is that the Mexican has not boxed since February 2007, losing a points decision to Vivian Harris who was then annihilated by Junior Witter in seven rounds. However, the danger surrounding Hatton's forthcoming bout could be little to do with his battle against the 33-year-old Mexican and more concerned with how well the Mancunian can mentally recover from his first loss. Trainer Billy Graham acknowledges that Ricky took defeat heavily and that it did indeed affect the Hitman, however Graham maintains that Ricky will be able to positively bounce back from his defeat to Mayweather and explained:  "I knew he would have to lick his wounds. I had to myself because I was convinced we would win the Mayweather fight but there you go. "When a fighter loses his unbeaten record you worry about how he will come back. "It either makes or breaks them, it can send them the other way and they lose all confidence but I had no doubt that Ricky was the other type.   "He is determined to come back with a great performance to prove the doubters wrong again and I have no doubts whatsoever that he will be fine." With much talk in boxing circles of Lazcano being an under-qualified and ill-equipped opponent for Hatton, the pressure is on the Manchester man to perform well and make a statement as IBF light-welterweight champ and possible opponent Paul Maliggnagi boxes on the undercard. If Hatton can show the 55,000 fans that he is expected to pull in that he has truly shaken off the Mayweather blues and look good against Lazcano, then perhaps Malignaggi, Bradley, Torres, Mayweather or even the fallen Junior Witter could be up next? We shall see.

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