By Mark Vester
Gareth Williams, adviser to Ricky Hatton, denies the muliple reports going around that suggest Hatton has agreed to a 2010 Manchester clash with Juan Manuel Marquez. In several interviews, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer has gone on the record to say Hatton-Marquez was taking shape for next summer. According to Williams, Hatton has not agreed to any type of fight, Marquez or otherwise, and he never made decision on a possible comeback. Williams doesn't expect Hatton to make a comeback decision until after the holidays.
“Of course, Richard Schaefer is keen for Ricky to fight Marquez, because the fight makes good business sense. But I wear two hats, one as CEO of Hatton Promotions, the other as adviser to Ricky the fighter, and he has not yet laid it down in stone that he wants to fight," Williams told The Daily Telegram.
Williams will not allow Hatton to fight if the motive for a comeback is strictly to collect a check. If he feels people are trying to make a profit by pushing Hatton to fight again, Williams will step in to prevent that from happening.
“The main driver in all of this is what is best for Ricky Hatton. If I thought Ricky was being pushed into this fight purely for business reasons, I’d advise him against taking the fight. He should not be rushed. This is boxing, and I’d tell you that he shouldn’t do it unless he is 100% committed to the fight. I haven’t heard that yet from Ricky,” Williams said.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
