The world of boxing is still reeling from the loss of one of its most beloved figures, Ricky Hatton. For fans, there was only one Ricky Hatton, a charismatic and ferocious fighter who captured the hearts of tens of thousands with his wise-cracking personality and formidable skills in the ring. Those who loved him, however, knew many different sides to the man, and it's these complexities that are still being grappled with today.
Billy Graham, Hatton's trainer for all but the last three of his 48 fights, remembers the early days when they would sit on the grimy steps outside their first boxing gym in Salford, dreaming of the future. It was a more innocent time, and Graham recalls the moments they shared, discussing their plans and aspirations. Even then, Graham knew that Hatton was destined for greatness, and he told him as much, predicting that he would one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
That prediction came true last year, 15 months before Hatton's tragic death, when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, upstate New York. For Graham, this was the ultimate recognition of Hatton's achievements, and he still gets emotional when thinking about it. "You can't get better than that," he says, his voice cracking with emotion. "There've been loads of great fighters who can't make the Hall of Fame. You can be a 'world' champion or even the undisputed but the Hall of Fame is the ultimate, innit?"
Graham's eyes well up with tears as he remembers the good times, and the bad. He took legal action against Hatton and his father, Ray, in 2010, in a dispute over money owed to the trainer. The Hattons settled out of court, but the experience left a sour taste in Graham's mouth. Despite this, he still feels a deep sense of loss and bereavement, and it's clear that the pain of Hatton's death is still raw.
One of the most significant fights of Hatton's career was against Gilbert Quiros in Detroit in June 2000. Quiros, nicknamed The Animal, was a formidable opponent, and Hatton was tested like never before. Graham remembers the fight vividly, recalling the nerves that Hatton felt as he prepared to face his toughest opponent yet. "Ricky handled nerves better than any fighter I ever had," he says. "But he was agitated because he'd found out his girlfriend was pregnant [with his now 24-year-old son Campbell] and he was cutting weight."
Despite the challenges he faced, Hatton rose to the occasion, delivering a performance that would define his career.
Graham's training methods were unorthodox, to say the least. He would wear a body belt to absorb Hatton's blows, and his ridiculous shorts would often leave the other fighters in stitches. But when Hatton started throwing punches, the mood would change, and the crowd would be wowed by his skill and aggression.
The fight against Quiros was a turning point in Hatton's career, and it marked the beginning of his rise to superstardom.
For Graham, the memories of Hatton's career are bittersweet. He is proud of what they achieved together, but he is also deeply saddened by the tragic circumstances of Hatton's death. "It's not normal to walk into the tornado," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. "But that's what Ricky did. He walked into the tornado, and he came out the other side, scarred but still fighting." It's a testament to Hatton's strength and resilience, and a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
