Hatton and Graham to split?
Hitman 'has decision to make' over long-time trainer
Last updated: 15th July 2008
Hatton and Graham: In doubt
I will take my time and make a decision, and should be in a position to say something on it in a week or so.
Ricky Hatton
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Ricky Hatton could be on the verge of splitting from Billy Graham.
The Hitman is reported to be considering his position with his long-time trainer following brother Matthew's decision last week to quit the Phoenix Camp.
It is not the first time there have been rumours of a rift between Hatton and Graham, but it is the first time the IBO light-welterweight champion has admitted their partnership could be in doubt.
"I will sit down with Matthew and my dad and have a good chat about it," Hatton told the Manchester Evening News.
"I will take my time and make a decision, and should be in a position to say something on it in a week or so.
"I have been on my stand-up tour and after-dinner speaking all over the place for the last few weeks, but obviously I heard about Matthew's decision."
Reports had suggested that Hatton was going to split from Graham following his knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather last December.
But the Preacher was in his corner for his successful Homecoming victory over Juan Lazcano in May - the night when younger brother Matthew failed to prise the Commonwealth welterweight title away from Craig Watson.
Matthew has since switched to Bobby Rimmer's gym where he will be trained by Graham's former assistant Lee Beard, who had a more prominent role in helping the Hitman prepare for Lazcano.
Ricky has around six weeks to make a decision on his trainer before he begins preparations for his November showdown with IBF light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas.
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Comments
Andy Moore says...
Rickys last best fight was again Kostya, ever since then he has gone down hill. So boring to watch, I cant belive i used to love Ricky Hatton. David Haye is the next great british hope :)
Posted 15:55 21st July 2008
Matt Roberts says...
I think ita about time Ricky moved on. He is a legend in England but in America he is washed up. He has got three fights left and he has to make the most of them. Stop the stand up routine and get back to what you do best.
Posted 03:48 21st July 2008
Jake Brown says...
my honest opinion is that graham isnt a very good coach. all hatton seems to do is slug wide hooks at a body bag for preperation. he needs a skilled coach who can work on combinations and technique. paulie maglignaggi to KO hatton, demise of a fighter is a boxer.
Posted 01:55 21st July 2008
Malcolm Bowman says...
If Ricky splits with Billy, will Kerry Kayes also split. No other team would put up with the weight Ricky puts on in between fights. I do believe Billy will go and live in Georgia, where he has a house. Billy does'nt need to be in the fight game any more. Billy and Ricky have been good for one another, but a lot of praise has to go to Kerry Kayes, without Kerry Ricky would never reach his fighting weight.With out Kerry, Ricky would have to move up a weight, which after his last performance, I dont think he can.
Posted 18:33 19th July 2008
David Richardson says...
Chris taylors comment about tyson becoming a trainer...What the hell? may aswell ask bruno to be his spit man while your at it. Tyson was a great fighter but a trainor? i just don't see it, he's more happy doing the after dinner circuits. As for hatton what he needs is to try a different style of fighting, many boxers are clued up to his brawling ways and now can handle him.
Posted 17:28 19th July 2008
Danny Laws says...
Don't let anybody fool you Ricky! You 've got nothing to prove! Beating the Maggic Man and PAQ won't erase the Mayweather loss. It will only cement Floyd 's greatness. Age isn't on your side. Your weight problems remain an issue. Frankly the only plausible reason to keep it going is for the bucks and to give the fans a show. So if I were you, I would call it a day! A single loss in 41 to the best P-For-P isn't what you dreamed off but its a damn good record to flaunt.
Posted 15:05 19th July 2008
Jonathan Hodge says...
I think whoever train's him next should introduce him to weight watchers!!
Posted 00:15 19th July 2008
Jonah Jay says...
ricky here is a plea to you, give up on a high mate-Not many can claim to have followed the pac man through his career but I honestly have!He took apart david diaz in good fashion. you are very similar boxers in many ways but he has the fitness and punch attributes you dont! it is a simple fact not a judgment! Ricky go make it on the comedy circuit, your naturally funny take the money and run then become sir ricky hatton make us all proud in hyde, denton, manchester but if you do take your last fight make sure you beat paulie big mouth malignaggi, what a plonker!! Just dont want to see you get badly hurt, too many think there's another fight in them and they carry on far too long-although I wouldnt of minded you shutting up Junior Witter! Loyal Fan-just want to see you do well out of the ring with health and money ect ect.
Posted 21:08 18th July 2008
Lee Bennett says...
i think it all depends on wether ricky wants to carry on fighting after his next fight. if he chooses to get in the ring on more than one ocassion then maybe itll be best if He trys a new trainner an approach the fight in a different light. if this is his last fight maybe he should stay with him an the both go out with a bang!
Posted 16:22 18th July 2008
Ramon Villamor says...
i say.. PACQUIAO VS HATTON at Wembley!
Posted 06:52 18th July 2008
Chris Taylor says...
i think ricky should go get mike tyson as his trainer! they are good friends and have met before...mike is a huge fan of ricky's and it would give mike a chance to get back involved in the sport he loves! ricky needs to work on different aspects of his game i believe mike would teach him the standards required.
Posted 09:02 16th July 2008
Darren Knowles says...
I think a change may do him good, if he does leave billy whoever takes him on needs to teach him to move the head and role side to side, to slip more punches and create better openings for himself. The jab must also become more prominent he just cant keep on wading in taking too many punches trying to throw single shots. It would be a challenge for any trainer but it has been done , just look at what buddy did with Gatti. For me i believe freddy roach would be ideal. The main problem infornt of hatton is himself, the bravado comes out too soon when things arent going well, more patienece and intelligence is required and he needs to listen to the corner more. We will have to wait and see.
Posted 20:23 15th July 2008
Allan Mead says...
i agree that it would be foolish to change his trainer at this stage of his career.he should go back to learning the basics like head movement and moving in behind his jab like he did earlier in his career which made him a unstoppable fighting machine,instead of trying wade in gungho style which sees him getting hit too easily
Posted 18:50 15th July 2008
Anthony Burley says...
I believe Billy Graham has taken Ricky as far as possible, he took the little Manchester boy right to the top. Ricky now neds a change a good trainer that can add a new dimension to his style. I think with a bit more defence in his arsenal he could once again be on top of the world.
Posted 18:46 15th July 2008
John Beadnall says...
hattons been good for boxing but he's washed up now.changing trainers aint gonna help him at this stage of his career.if he gets past maglinaggi he wants to call it a day coz if he fights the pac-man he loses again.
Posted 17:39 15th July 2008
Chris Wrench says...
I'm not so sure that we have the full story here. Graham must have upset somebody or perhaps Hatton has upset him. There is no doubt that ricky could do with learning a few more tricks. What he does with graham prefight never differs so he already knows that routine. I would be seriously shocked if Billy disappeared from his corner completely. There is another possiblity... Graham has been looking at retiring to the states to his animal reserve for a couple of years now, he has injuctions in his hands all the way through training camps. Maybe, he just can't do it anymore. It'll do hatton good but it will be a sad day.
Posted 16:55 15th July 2008
Nathan Goane says...
Leonard Harding is wrong if he says Gatti changed his style with some success towards the end of his career.When he fought Mayweather,anyone who say the fight will tell you he was embarassed and lucky not to end up hospitalised.Hatton can't change the way he fights,his reach isn't big enough to be a jab and move type fighter I think he should fight Malignaggi and then Pacman as his final fight,just to give the fans a tear-up-he will then retire as the best 140lb fighter in the division and be remebered for upsetting all the odds against Tzsyu and giving us one of the best nights ever in British boxing
Posted 16:24 15th July 2008
Leonard Harding says...
Arturo Gatti managed to change his all action style and remain active until recently turning himself from a blood and thunder slugger to more of a box fighter with impressive results. Not sure if Ricky at this stage in his career can introduce that style into his boxing but a good american trainer like Buddy mcgirt could probably refine his style marginally enough to get through fights taking alot less shots. Hatton isn't as young and hungry as he once was so minor adjustments need to be made and it's evident that Billy Graham although he has done a sterling job with Ricky can't teach him anything new or help him modify his style. If Ricky plans at least 3 more fights in his career then he would benefit from switching trainers but if he doesn't intend to fight after his next bout then there is no point.
Posted 14:10 15th July 2008
James Mcgee says...
It's a bit late in his career to make this change. Hatton won't learn anything different. Also when you hear graham inbetween rounds he is telling ricky what to do but per usual hatton gets over excitied and does his own thing. Maybe he should try and pay attention to what he is getting taught
Posted 13:29 15th July 2008
Kevin Jones says...
This isn't Rocky III - he can't just get Apollo Creed in to teach him how to "dance" and box pretty!! Hatton cannot change his style at this stage of his career, and he will know it himself. Sluggers like Hatton don't fight on until they are 36 or 37 and his yo-yo weight and poor diet etc will also ensure he retires sooner rather than later. Calzaghe has speed and movement and although he takes a few punches on the way out, Hatton gets them on the way in as well and they tend to be harder to take. Good fighter, good heart, but ultimately Ricky isn't in the "world class" bracket any more. To be fair Mayweather is exceptional and has beat most of his opponents hands down, so there's no disgrace in having a defeat to him as potentially the only blemish on Rick's record.
Posted 13:22 15th July 2008
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