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Ricky Hatton has arguably the best fans in boxing, so it should come as no surprise to see the Hitman taking time out from preparing for Kostya Tszyu to answer YOUR questions. We picked 15 of the best and let Ricky respond in person, on all manner of subjects including his training regime, his favourite boxer of all-time, his sleeping habits and of course, Stuart Pearce's appointment as Manchester City manager. Here's what the Hitman had to say when you put him on the spot...
QUESTION: Who do you consider to be the best boxer pound-for-pound in the world today and why?
Simon Ashall, Runcorn, England
RICKY HATTON: It has to be Bernard Hopkins, Simon. For his consistency at the top level, his middleweight record of world title defences (20) and the quality of scalps he has taken.
QUESTION: Hey there Ricky, first of all I really hope everything goes well on June the 5th, I will be there and will be singing Blue Moon (even though I am an avid Burnley fan). I met you once in Blackpool in Yates and I think you're great! Anyway, now for the question - Who is your biggest inspiration and who do you admire the most?
Ben Walsh, Burnley
RICKY HATTON: Well Ben, my inspiration and the person I admire the most is young James Bowes. He is poorly and shows such bravery. If I show half of that courage against Kostya, then I'll have no problems.
QUESTION: Ricky, if you had to choose between your beloved Man City winning the Premiership next season or becoming the undisputed Light-Welterweight Champion of the world which ONE would you chose?
Regards, Lee Townsend
RICKY HATTON: It's a tough one, but it would have to be me winning the undisputed World Light-Welterweight title Lee! City have already won the title at the top flight - albeit nearly 30 years ago. But it's a close decision though!
QUESTION: Ricky, regarding football, how do you feel that Manchester City have Psycho as their new manager? All the best in the fight Ricky.
Charles Brown
RICKY HATTON: I think it's fantastic Charles! He's achieved so much as a player, he's worked with several top-quality managers throughout his career and I am sure his attitude will rub off on the City players.
QUESTION: How do you feel about the fact that you will be fighting in the middle of the night? How will you prepare yourself for the time difference?
Nick Washbourne
RICKY HATTON: Thankfully Nick, I'm normally in my prime at 2am in the morning. From a month before the June 5 fight I've been training at 2am to get my body used to the time difference. It's become second nature.
QUESTION: Hi Ricky, I will be watching early in the morning from Perth, Australia! I was just wondering regardless of weight, if you could choose to fight anyone in history who would it be?
Martin Hughes
RICKY HATTON: Any fighter at any weight? It would have to be the Hands of Stone, Roberto Duran, because you always wonder how you would have got on against your idol. Although I have to say, I think he might have killed me!
QUESTION: Although a win is a win, would you prefer to knock out Tszyu in the early rounds or silence the critics by going the distance and beating him on points?
Dawn Sievwright, Macclesfield
RICKY HATTON: To be honest Dawn, I'm not bothered either way. In such a tough fight you're just happy to settle for the win. I think you eventually prove the critics wrong over a long period of time anyway.
QUESTION: What would you describe as your toughest fight to date? And which fight have you learnt most from?
Chris Oliver, Hull
RICKY HATTON: I would have to say Vince Phillips and Eamonn Magee were my toughest fights to date, Chris. I learned the most from the one with Magee, but all my opponents have been tough and all the fights educational - I never take anybody too lightly.
QUESTION: Ricky, this is the fight you have been preparing for all your life, will you be more nervous than usual as you are building up to the fight, or do the nerves stop as you walk out to Blue Moon? Good luck and all the best from a fellow blue!
Gaz Kendrick, Manchester
RICKY HATTON: I think I'll be more nervous simply because of the sheer size of the fight. But I'm just as confident for this one as I was for any of my previous 38 fights. Nervous, but confident, is probably the best way to describe it.
QUESTION: Hello Ricky thanks for taking time out to answer our questions. I would like to know how well a fighter like yourself sleeps at night knowing his going to fight one of the toughest fighters in the world in a couple of weeks. Especially the night before the fight!
Edward Warren, Essex
RICKY HATTON: I've got to be honest Edward, I sleep like a baby! Seriously, I find it harder getting to sleep before the weigh-in. But after that, it's not a problem - I relax once I'm 'carbed up'!
QUESTION: I love to read about the old fighters like Jack Dempsey, Henry Armstrong and Jack Johnson. Who did you look up to when you were younger?
Peter Wells
RICKY HATTON: As I touched on earlier Peter, it has to be Roberto Duran. He was always my favourite boxer because he came from the streets with nothing and went on to be a superstar.
QUESTION: Do you feel any fear before stepping in the ring or does the adrenalin and confidence take over? Good luck against Kostya Tszyu, I will be with you all the way.
Neal Dunne, Manchester
RICKY HATTON: There is fear before stepping in the ring Neal, but it is mixed with confidence - and you need both. I have far more qualities than I have shown so far. I know I am going to need them against Kostya Tszyu and I know I will show them.
QUESTION: A year or so ago I remember Fight Night following your day prior to the evening's fight, and you were tucking into a greasy fried breakfast! Do you take your nutrition more seriously now and what types of foods do you consume while preparing for a fight?
Paul Myers, York
RICKY HATTON: For three months at a time, in preparing for a fight I eat very healthy, special food and drinks, Paul. But on the day of a fight, the fry-up you talk about is my treat. It makes me feel happy.
QUESTION: Hi Ricky, all the best for the big one - the whole country is right behind you!!! What I want to know is... what does the last few minutes before you enter the MEN Arena consist of? Are you talking tactics, warming up, or do you like to steady yourself, mentally and physically. It is something we rarely get to see and would love to know what goes on ‘backstage’!
Bob Smith, Shepherds Bush
RICKY HATTON: I warm up in the dressing room, do some stretching and get loose. I listen to music, the louder the better, because although I am focussed, I hate my dressing room to be quiet. I like it lively, so the louder the better! Then I think about the fight itself, my strengths and weaknesses and try and remember what I have practised in the gym.
QUESTION: I just wanted to know what is your day-to-day trainning regime leading up to a big fight. Good luck in the fight Ricky!
PS: I'm going to put a bet on at the bookies what round shall I put down for when you KO Kostya?
Anthony Wadsworth
RICKY HATTON: I train hard Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the gym for about thee hours, either with sparring partners or on the body bag with Billy. I then do weight-training sessions after each workout with my nutritionist Kerry Kayes on Tuesday and Thursday and then tactics, again with Billy for about three hours. I also go for a run in the evening, every day, say for about five or six miles. As for your bet, I don't make predictions, I just know I will win. Sorry, but I don't need the added pressure!
Courtesy of: http://www.skysports.com/skysports/boxing
QUESTION: Who do you consider to be the best boxer pound-for-pound in the world today and why?
Simon Ashall, Runcorn, England
RICKY HATTON: It has to be Bernard Hopkins, Simon. For his consistency at the top level, his middleweight record of world title defences (20) and the quality of scalps he has taken.
QUESTION: Hey there Ricky, first of all I really hope everything goes well on June the 5th, I will be there and will be singing Blue Moon (even though I am an avid Burnley fan). I met you once in Blackpool in Yates and I think you're great! Anyway, now for the question - Who is your biggest inspiration and who do you admire the most?
Ben Walsh, Burnley
RICKY HATTON: Well Ben, my inspiration and the person I admire the most is young James Bowes. He is poorly and shows such bravery. If I show half of that courage against Kostya, then I'll have no problems.
QUESTION: Ricky, if you had to choose between your beloved Man City winning the Premiership next season or becoming the undisputed Light-Welterweight Champion of the world which ONE would you chose?
Regards, Lee Townsend
RICKY HATTON: It's a tough one, but it would have to be me winning the undisputed World Light-Welterweight title Lee! City have already won the title at the top flight - albeit nearly 30 years ago. But it's a close decision though!
QUESTION: Ricky, regarding football, how do you feel that Manchester City have Psycho as their new manager? All the best in the fight Ricky.
Charles Brown
RICKY HATTON: I think it's fantastic Charles! He's achieved so much as a player, he's worked with several top-quality managers throughout his career and I am sure his attitude will rub off on the City players.
QUESTION: How do you feel about the fact that you will be fighting in the middle of the night? How will you prepare yourself for the time difference?
Nick Washbourne
RICKY HATTON: Thankfully Nick, I'm normally in my prime at 2am in the morning. From a month before the June 5 fight I've been training at 2am to get my body used to the time difference. It's become second nature.
QUESTION: Hi Ricky, I will be watching early in the morning from Perth, Australia! I was just wondering regardless of weight, if you could choose to fight anyone in history who would it be?
Martin Hughes
RICKY HATTON: Any fighter at any weight? It would have to be the Hands of Stone, Roberto Duran, because you always wonder how you would have got on against your idol. Although I have to say, I think he might have killed me!
QUESTION: Although a win is a win, would you prefer to knock out Tszyu in the early rounds or silence the critics by going the distance and beating him on points?
Dawn Sievwright, Macclesfield
RICKY HATTON: To be honest Dawn, I'm not bothered either way. In such a tough fight you're just happy to settle for the win. I think you eventually prove the critics wrong over a long period of time anyway.
QUESTION: What would you describe as your toughest fight to date? And which fight have you learnt most from?
Chris Oliver, Hull
RICKY HATTON: I would have to say Vince Phillips and Eamonn Magee were my toughest fights to date, Chris. I learned the most from the one with Magee, but all my opponents have been tough and all the fights educational - I never take anybody too lightly.
QUESTION: Ricky, this is the fight you have been preparing for all your life, will you be more nervous than usual as you are building up to the fight, or do the nerves stop as you walk out to Blue Moon? Good luck and all the best from a fellow blue!
Gaz Kendrick, Manchester
RICKY HATTON: I think I'll be more nervous simply because of the sheer size of the fight. But I'm just as confident for this one as I was for any of my previous 38 fights. Nervous, but confident, is probably the best way to describe it.
QUESTION: Hello Ricky thanks for taking time out to answer our questions. I would like to know how well a fighter like yourself sleeps at night knowing his going to fight one of the toughest fighters in the world in a couple of weeks. Especially the night before the fight!
Edward Warren, Essex
RICKY HATTON: I've got to be honest Edward, I sleep like a baby! Seriously, I find it harder getting to sleep before the weigh-in. But after that, it's not a problem - I relax once I'm 'carbed up'!
QUESTION: I love to read about the old fighters like Jack Dempsey, Henry Armstrong and Jack Johnson. Who did you look up to when you were younger?
Peter Wells
RICKY HATTON: As I touched on earlier Peter, it has to be Roberto Duran. He was always my favourite boxer because he came from the streets with nothing and went on to be a superstar.
QUESTION: Do you feel any fear before stepping in the ring or does the adrenalin and confidence take over? Good luck against Kostya Tszyu, I will be with you all the way.
Neal Dunne, Manchester
RICKY HATTON: There is fear before stepping in the ring Neal, but it is mixed with confidence - and you need both. I have far more qualities than I have shown so far. I know I am going to need them against Kostya Tszyu and I know I will show them.
QUESTION: A year or so ago I remember Fight Night following your day prior to the evening's fight, and you were tucking into a greasy fried breakfast! Do you take your nutrition more seriously now and what types of foods do you consume while preparing for a fight?
Paul Myers, York
RICKY HATTON: For three months at a time, in preparing for a fight I eat very healthy, special food and drinks, Paul. But on the day of a fight, the fry-up you talk about is my treat. It makes me feel happy.
QUESTION: Hi Ricky, all the best for the big one - the whole country is right behind you!!! What I want to know is... what does the last few minutes before you enter the MEN Arena consist of? Are you talking tactics, warming up, or do you like to steady yourself, mentally and physically. It is something we rarely get to see and would love to know what goes on ‘backstage’!
Bob Smith, Shepherds Bush
RICKY HATTON: I warm up in the dressing room, do some stretching and get loose. I listen to music, the louder the better, because although I am focussed, I hate my dressing room to be quiet. I like it lively, so the louder the better! Then I think about the fight itself, my strengths and weaknesses and try and remember what I have practised in the gym.
QUESTION: I just wanted to know what is your day-to-day trainning regime leading up to a big fight. Good luck in the fight Ricky!
PS: I'm going to put a bet on at the bookies what round shall I put down for when you KO Kostya?
Anthony Wadsworth
RICKY HATTON: I train hard Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the gym for about thee hours, either with sparring partners or on the body bag with Billy. I then do weight-training sessions after each workout with my nutritionist Kerry Kayes on Tuesday and Thursday and then tactics, again with Billy for about three hours. I also go for a run in the evening, every day, say for about five or six miles. As for your bet, I don't make predictions, I just know I will win. Sorry, but I don't need the added pressure!
Courtesy of: http://www.skysports.com/skysports/boxing
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