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FORMER world champion Steve Forbes has been there, seen it and done it, but he insists he has never faced anything like Ricky Hatton.
Forbes has spent the past two weeks sparring with Hatton at the Hitman’s Manchester gym and has the bruises to prove it.
He came over from the United States with preconceived ideas about the unbeaten Hatton – but will be going home next month with a different perspective on the Mancunian four-time world champion.
“People think Ricky is a brawler first and foremost. Well I can tell them in no uncertain terms that this kid can box,” said Forbes. “He has fast hands, much quicker than I ever thought. His foot movement is quick and he can deliver shots from all angles. Basically he is much better than I thought he was.
“I think Americans have a lot of respect for Ricky because of the way he fights. It is very exciting and he always gives value for money, but the fact is, he is a top, top boxer as well.
“I was surprised how quick he was and I was world champion at super-featherweight so I know a pair of fast hands when I see them. Ricky is not renowned for his boxing skills in America, but he should be. He is technically as good as anything out there right now in the world and he is a great kid as well. His body punches have also left a mark on me just as much as his personality.”
Forbes and Hatton have become close friends and the American, 30, will be sad to leave Manchester when their sparring sessions end on June 5.
“Hey, even the rain isn’t that bad. The weather’s been great and Ricky has looked after me fantastically,” said Forbes. “He knows how to treat people with respect and will always be a friend of mine from now until I die. I’ll always be rooting for him because I like the nice guy to win and he is a lovely man as well as a great fighter.”
Forbes, who won the IBF super-featherweight title in 2001 and was runner-up in last year’s Contender series to Grady Brewer, fully expects Hatton to beat Jose Luis Castillo when the pair meet on June 23 in Las Vegas in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash.
He said: “For my money Hatton wins every time. Ricky is too quick for Jose and he has the heart of a lion. I don’t
question Jose’s heart either, especially after the wars he had with Diego Corrales, but Hatton has just got too much for him.
“Ricky will stop him in about the ninth round. Jose is too slow for him. Castillo has never had the fastest hands and I think he will be stopped by Ricky. I’m expecting my first child, but I’ll be glued to the tube watching it.”
Forbes’ wife Valerie is pregnant and the American, a long-time resident of Las Vegas who is now based in Detroit, is looking forward to going home.
“It will be great to get back but I have enjoyed every minute helping Ricky get in the best possible shape. He is in
brilliant form right now and he’ll only get better for Castillo. I wish I could go to Vegas to see the fight, but I’ll be there in spirit and having a baby is not a bad excuse.”
Forbes was surprised his fellow Contender contestant Peter Manfredo was selected to fight Joe Calzaghe in the Welshman’s world title defence last month.
He said: “I could not believe it. I mean Peter is not a bad fighter, but that was ridiculous. Who had he beat to earn a shot at the world champion?”
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