‘Ricky Fatton’ gone says Ricky Hatton as boxing legend throws out big clothes
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Boxing star Ricky Hatton has claimed that his ‘fat’ days are behind him as he looks ahead to his exhibition fight with Marco Antonio Barrera.
The pair face off on November 12 and the former unified light-welterweight world champion has said he’s thoroughly enjoyed the body transformation that he’s had to go through in preparation.
Hatton in his post-fighting life put on a considerable amount of chub, leading some to label him 'Ricky Fatton'- but now The Hitman has got himself back to fitness and looks ready for the contest.
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Hatton said to Betfred in the lead-up to his fight: “It was very hard for me to stay fit because I lost three-and-half-stone. I was doing that the whole way through my career and I wasn’t bothered because eventually I always knew I’d have a training camp to go to for six to seven weeks and I’d lose weight. But now, I can’t keep dragging someone out of retirement every time I want to lose some weight. I’ve slowed down in more ways than one now. I’m not out on the town like I used to be so often and now I love just spending quality time with my family and my kids."
The Manchester-born fighter continued: “I was devastated when the fight got postponed but ‘Ricky Fatton’ has gone now. I’ve got rid of my big wardrobe and now it’s for the sake of my health now. My whole attitude has changed now. I don’t feel the need to go to the pub every night and I don’t need to shoot down Manchester every night across the weekend.
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"It’s taken me 44 years to get here but I’m a little bit older and wiser now. Other things in life now are more important than going partying all the time. It’s a lifestyle choice for me and this is me now.”
Almost ten years after retiring, Hatton announced in April that he will face Mexican star Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition contest.
The Brit is thought to be using the event to raise awareness around mental illness following the torrid time he had with such an affliction.
The bout was originally scheduled to take place on July 2 but fighter Hughie Fury pulled out of his WBA heavyweight title eliminator Michael Hunter and so Sky Sports opted to cancel the event.
The upcoming fight will take place at the Manchester Arena, where Hatton had fought 15 times during his illustrious career.
As for Barrera, he fought from 1989 to 2011 and won multiple world championships in three weight classes along the way.
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