Hatton leaving for USA this week

03/01/2007

Hatton leaving for USA this week

Press Release: Ricky Hatton and his team, consisting of manager Ray Hatton, trainer Billy Graham, strength coach Kerry Kayes and agent Paul Speak, are making preparations to move their camp from the grim northern environs on Manchester, England to sunny Las Vegas, scheduled to take place on January 7, 2007. On January 20 at Las Vegas' Paris Hotel, Hatton, already recognized as the world champion at 140 pounds, will challenge  dangerous Colombian puncher Juan Urango for the IBF belt, which "The Hitman" took off Kostya Tszyu in June 2005, only to relinquish it less than a year later in order to challenge and subsequently defeat WBA welterweight titlist Luis Collazo. Hatton knows this is the riskiest fight of his 41 bout career and has been taking no chances, sparring a succession of strong southpaws in trainer Billy Graham's Phoenix Camp gym in Manchester and carefully controlling his weight under the watchful eye of Kerry Kayes.  Upon arrival in Las Vegas, Hatton will continue to spar tough opposition.