By Mark Vester
Billy Graham, trainer of Ricky Hatton, says his fighter is going to move back down to the junior welterweight limit of 140-pounds, and regardless of the money involved, he does not want Hatton taking fights at welterweight (147).
Graham told The Independent Hatton is still in his prime and retirement is not an option.
"He's a man in his physical prime and if I thought he was slipping in any way I would tell him to retire. He will fight on but it will be at light-welterweight and I don't care how much money there is at welterweight," Graham said.
Hatton has tipped the scales at welterweight on two occasions. In 2006, he won a close decision against Luis Collazo, and last weekend in Las Vegas, he was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in ten-rounds
Oscar De La Hoya is still making a decision on a potential clash with Hatton for May of next year. De La Hoya felt Hatton was competitive enough with Mayweather, and still possesses enough star power, to justify a fight.
Should De La Hoya decide on Hatton, the fight would obviously take place at 147. De La Hoya is still unsure whether or not he can make 147, but appears to be confident of getting down to the weight. The amount of money involved for such a fight, an eight-figure payday at the very least, may be too much for Hatton to resist.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
