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Exclusive Interview: Ricky Hatton
By Ace Freeman
FightFan.com caught up with “The Hitman” yesterday to get the latest on his next fight, a possible clash with Jose Luis Castillo, his desire to Floyd Mayweather and much more!
August 24, 2006
FF: Ricky thanks for taking the time to talk with the FightFans at FightFan.com. What are you up to these days?
RH: Well my next fight will be on Dec. 9th but that’s a little too far away for my liking. I’d have preferred a fight in October or November but Dec. 9th was the only date that was available. We’re working out in the gym now but the fight is still 15 or 16 weeks away so I’m just staying sharp and getting ready for Dec. 9th.
FF: We understand the fight on Dec. 9th will be in Atlanta GA in the US. Is there an opponent solidified for that date?
RH: There’s a few in the mix with Oktay Urkal being the mandatory for my WBA welterweight title, and another option being Juan Urango who just won my old IBF title at 140 that I had vacated.
FF: So it’s safe to say your next opponent will more than likely be Urkal or Urango?
RH: Yes that’s right, and that’s what you’ve been hearing in the media as well. We should be finding out which one it will be in the next week or so.
FF: We last spoke to you prior to your last fight with Luis Collazo. Cong**** on you win, we had you winning the fight on our score card. I don’t think it’s any secret you choose a very difficult style match up for your first fight at Welter. After the fight with Collazo, can you tell us how you’re feeling about fighting at 147 vs. 140? Which weight do you see yourself fighting more in – in the near future?
RH: Well I can still make 140 without trouble. You know I didn’t want to fight at welterweight in the first place but the fight was brought to me and it was a choice between Vivian Harris (who’d just lost to Maussa) and fighting Collazo for the title. With the way Harris had just lost his last fight to Maussa and the fact I’d just knocked Maussa out, that was not a very appealing fight for me. Then there was Collazo and the reason I took that fight was so I could become a welterweight Champion.
FF: Tell us about the Collazo fight you just came out of. Was it a more difficult fight that you’d imagined it would be?
RH: Well like I said I liked the idea of fighting for the title and becoming a Champion in two different weight classes, but ideally for my first fight in America and in a new weight class you don’t step right up to fighting a Champion. It was a very very close fight. And if you remember I was going to fight Juan Lazcano but he was injured about 5 weeks out from the fight. Normally you grow into a weight division but I ended up moving up with very little time to build my body up to be accustomed to that weight. But Collazo put up a good fight and I don’t think people were giving me enough credit for that fight. I definitely think we’ll be seeing good things from him in the future.
While it was a tough fight I felt like I was ahead and I don’t think too many people scored if for Collazo. It was a close fight but I think I had my nose ahead when it was all over.
FF: Give us your take on how you felt at welterweight. Collazo is a big guy, but there are guys at welterweight even bigger. With your style of swarming your opponent and exerting your strength do you feel it will be more challenging to fight at 147?
RH: Well it’s like I said: most people take two or three fights to grow into a weight division and I had to do it in a manner of six weeks or so. You know to put it into perspective I think Floyd Mayweather is pound for pound the best fighter on the planet and he didn’t fight a Champion in his first fight at welterweight. I think the Collazo fight was a good achievement in fighting a Champion and southpaw in my first fight at welterweight.
I might stay at welterweight given that I feel bigger and stronger after fighting there, but having said that I can still make 140. The Collazo fight was really a welterweight Champion fighting a Lt welterweight Champion. I’ve had 41 fights now and I really only want to fight for another two or three years. Whether I fight at Lt Welter or Welter really depends on what opponent I’m fighting and what weight they’re at.
FF: Ricky did you use any weights in building up to fight Collazo and can you comment on how that effected your performance in that fight?
RH: It was difficult because I only had six weeks or so to do it, but yea I was on a weight training program. I wanted my muscles to be firmer without losing the speed. It was very difficult with the short amount of time and I think with a longer camp I would have had an easier time.
FF: I’ve heard rumors a fight between yourself and Jose Luis Castillo has been talked about for sometime next year. Can you comment on that?
RH: Yeah, my camp has been in negotiations with Castillo’s camp and we’re very confident we make the fight. When you retire people remember you for the big fights you had and that’s why I’d really like more fights like this. I can do welter or Lt. welter and I think it would be a great fight for me.
FF: And for boxing fans everywhere. That has fight of the year written all over it. Castillo has essentially been fighting at 140 for the last year bursting at the seams at 135. He’s a big strong guy and he comes to fight and on the inside. Will this be a case of two forces colliding? Would your game plan be to fight him toe to toe?
RH: Styles make fights and I think with me and him you wouldn’t see anything other than a good fight. I’d certainly go toe to toe and at Lt welterweight I feel I’m stronger than anyone else.
FF: Ricky lets talk Floyd Mayweather. Last we spoke, you told me a fight with Mayweather would only grow into a bigger event as some time passes and that you’d likely meet down the road. Is Mayweather still a fight you want, how badly do you want it, and when would you envision it taking place?
RH: I definitely want the fight against Mayweather, he’s the number one pound for pound fighter in boxing so I really want the fight. But I signed a three fight deal with HBO (Collazo being the 1st in that series) and Mayweather wasn’t part of that deal. The idea was for me to have those three fights in the US so people can see me fight and my name will get built up. We really want the Mayweather fight but it will need to be negotiated. Obviously we’d want to see more money for a fight with Mayweather because the fight would be worth a lot.
I’d like to get the 2nd and 3rd fights of the deal with HBO out of the way and fight Mayweather with a clear head. Obviously I’ve had problems going on outside the ring with my former promoters and things like that. I had my debut at welterweight in America and I think a few more fights under my belt would make the fight even more exciting than it already is.
FF: Floyd Mayweather has said several times in the press in recent months that you demanded 13 Million dollars to fight him. Was such a fight ever discussed and can you comment on the validity of his statement?
RH: I don’t remember saying that exactly, but it was probably something in that region. I think it’s a mega fight worth a lot of money, but that end of it is really up to my father and my team to negotiate. I think it’s a fight people really want to see because people know Floyd moved up to welterweight without fighting the Lt welterweight champion. I think a fight between he and I could be one of the biggest fights to be made in boxing.
FF: I know you’re all class Ricky, but I’m going to put you on the spot. Did Floyd Mayweather duck Antonio Margarito?
RH: Possibly. I’m not going to say anything derogatory about Floyd Mayweather because I respect him as a person and as a boxer he’s unbelievable. Like a lot of guys he’s careful about what opponents he picks. A lot of guys at the end of their careers like Arturo Gatti and Demarcus Corley. Some of his opponents may have seen better days but they’re still good fighters. Margarito is at the top of his game and I’m not going to say he’s ducked him but that’s probably why the fight hasn’t taken place. He’s been very cleverly matched, but you can’t take anything away from his talent.
FF: What do you think of him fighting Carlos Baldomir?
RH: Carlos Baldomir is number one at welterweight. Floyd may have something to say about that, but Baldomir did beat Judah when he was the man. He’s the Ring Champion and I think that’s a good fight for Floyd.
FF: When will you enter training for your Dec. 9th bout?
RH: I will enter camp about 12 or 13 weeks out.
FF: Can you tell us what you’re weight is like right now?
RH: I’m weighing about 12 Stone right now (168lbs).
FF: Anything else you want to say to all of the Hitman fans over here?
RH: Just looking forward to fighting in the US again. The last one was a big success and if my next fight is at welterweight expect to see me stronger with more time to prepare and if it’s at LT Welter, you know I’m already the number one guy in that weight class. I’m looking forward to fighting again soon.
FF: Ricky thanks for taking the time to talk with FightFan.com, it’s always a pleasure.
RH: Cheers mate, we’ll talk to you soon.
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By Ace Freeman
FightFan.com caught up with “The Hitman” yesterday to get the latest on his next fight, a possible clash with Jose Luis Castillo, his desire to Floyd Mayweather and much more!
August 24, 2006
FF: Ricky thanks for taking the time to talk with the FightFans at FightFan.com. What are you up to these days?
RH: Well my next fight will be on Dec. 9th but that’s a little too far away for my liking. I’d have preferred a fight in October or November but Dec. 9th was the only date that was available. We’re working out in the gym now but the fight is still 15 or 16 weeks away so I’m just staying sharp and getting ready for Dec. 9th.
FF: We understand the fight on Dec. 9th will be in Atlanta GA in the US. Is there an opponent solidified for that date?
RH: There’s a few in the mix with Oktay Urkal being the mandatory for my WBA welterweight title, and another option being Juan Urango who just won my old IBF title at 140 that I had vacated.
FF: So it’s safe to say your next opponent will more than likely be Urkal or Urango?
RH: Yes that’s right, and that’s what you’ve been hearing in the media as well. We should be finding out which one it will be in the next week or so.
FF: We last spoke to you prior to your last fight with Luis Collazo. Cong**** on you win, we had you winning the fight on our score card. I don’t think it’s any secret you choose a very difficult style match up for your first fight at Welter. After the fight with Collazo, can you tell us how you’re feeling about fighting at 147 vs. 140? Which weight do you see yourself fighting more in – in the near future?
RH: Well I can still make 140 without trouble. You know I didn’t want to fight at welterweight in the first place but the fight was brought to me and it was a choice between Vivian Harris (who’d just lost to Maussa) and fighting Collazo for the title. With the way Harris had just lost his last fight to Maussa and the fact I’d just knocked Maussa out, that was not a very appealing fight for me. Then there was Collazo and the reason I took that fight was so I could become a welterweight Champion.
FF: Tell us about the Collazo fight you just came out of. Was it a more difficult fight that you’d imagined it would be?
RH: Well like I said I liked the idea of fighting for the title and becoming a Champion in two different weight classes, but ideally for my first fight in America and in a new weight class you don’t step right up to fighting a Champion. It was a very very close fight. And if you remember I was going to fight Juan Lazcano but he was injured about 5 weeks out from the fight. Normally you grow into a weight division but I ended up moving up with very little time to build my body up to be accustomed to that weight. But Collazo put up a good fight and I don’t think people were giving me enough credit for that fight. I definitely think we’ll be seeing good things from him in the future.
While it was a tough fight I felt like I was ahead and I don’t think too many people scored if for Collazo. It was a close fight but I think I had my nose ahead when it was all over.
FF: Give us your take on how you felt at welterweight. Collazo is a big guy, but there are guys at welterweight even bigger. With your style of swarming your opponent and exerting your strength do you feel it will be more challenging to fight at 147?
RH: Well it’s like I said: most people take two or three fights to grow into a weight division and I had to do it in a manner of six weeks or so. You know to put it into perspective I think Floyd Mayweather is pound for pound the best fighter on the planet and he didn’t fight a Champion in his first fight at welterweight. I think the Collazo fight was a good achievement in fighting a Champion and southpaw in my first fight at welterweight.
I might stay at welterweight given that I feel bigger and stronger after fighting there, but having said that I can still make 140. The Collazo fight was really a welterweight Champion fighting a Lt welterweight Champion. I’ve had 41 fights now and I really only want to fight for another two or three years. Whether I fight at Lt Welter or Welter really depends on what opponent I’m fighting and what weight they’re at.
FF: Ricky did you use any weights in building up to fight Collazo and can you comment on how that effected your performance in that fight?
RH: It was difficult because I only had six weeks or so to do it, but yea I was on a weight training program. I wanted my muscles to be firmer without losing the speed. It was very difficult with the short amount of time and I think with a longer camp I would have had an easier time.
FF: I’ve heard rumors a fight between yourself and Jose Luis Castillo has been talked about for sometime next year. Can you comment on that?
RH: Yeah, my camp has been in negotiations with Castillo’s camp and we’re very confident we make the fight. When you retire people remember you for the big fights you had and that’s why I’d really like more fights like this. I can do welter or Lt. welter and I think it would be a great fight for me.
FF: And for boxing fans everywhere. That has fight of the year written all over it. Castillo has essentially been fighting at 140 for the last year bursting at the seams at 135. He’s a big strong guy and he comes to fight and on the inside. Will this be a case of two forces colliding? Would your game plan be to fight him toe to toe?
RH: Styles make fights and I think with me and him you wouldn’t see anything other than a good fight. I’d certainly go toe to toe and at Lt welterweight I feel I’m stronger than anyone else.
FF: Ricky lets talk Floyd Mayweather. Last we spoke, you told me a fight with Mayweather would only grow into a bigger event as some time passes and that you’d likely meet down the road. Is Mayweather still a fight you want, how badly do you want it, and when would you envision it taking place?
RH: I definitely want the fight against Mayweather, he’s the number one pound for pound fighter in boxing so I really want the fight. But I signed a three fight deal with HBO (Collazo being the 1st in that series) and Mayweather wasn’t part of that deal. The idea was for me to have those three fights in the US so people can see me fight and my name will get built up. We really want the Mayweather fight but it will need to be negotiated. Obviously we’d want to see more money for a fight with Mayweather because the fight would be worth a lot.
I’d like to get the 2nd and 3rd fights of the deal with HBO out of the way and fight Mayweather with a clear head. Obviously I’ve had problems going on outside the ring with my former promoters and things like that. I had my debut at welterweight in America and I think a few more fights under my belt would make the fight even more exciting than it already is.
FF: Floyd Mayweather has said several times in the press in recent months that you demanded 13 Million dollars to fight him. Was such a fight ever discussed and can you comment on the validity of his statement?
RH: I don’t remember saying that exactly, but it was probably something in that region. I think it’s a mega fight worth a lot of money, but that end of it is really up to my father and my team to negotiate. I think it’s a fight people really want to see because people know Floyd moved up to welterweight without fighting the Lt welterweight champion. I think a fight between he and I could be one of the biggest fights to be made in boxing.
FF: I know you’re all class Ricky, but I’m going to put you on the spot. Did Floyd Mayweather duck Antonio Margarito?
RH: Possibly. I’m not going to say anything derogatory about Floyd Mayweather because I respect him as a person and as a boxer he’s unbelievable. Like a lot of guys he’s careful about what opponents he picks. A lot of guys at the end of their careers like Arturo Gatti and Demarcus Corley. Some of his opponents may have seen better days but they’re still good fighters. Margarito is at the top of his game and I’m not going to say he’s ducked him but that’s probably why the fight hasn’t taken place. He’s been very cleverly matched, but you can’t take anything away from his talent.
FF: What do you think of him fighting Carlos Baldomir?
RH: Carlos Baldomir is number one at welterweight. Floyd may have something to say about that, but Baldomir did beat Judah when he was the man. He’s the Ring Champion and I think that’s a good fight for Floyd.
FF: When will you enter training for your Dec. 9th bout?
RH: I will enter camp about 12 or 13 weeks out.
FF: Can you tell us what you’re weight is like right now?
RH: I’m weighing about 12 Stone right now (168lbs).
FF: Anything else you want to say to all of the Hitman fans over here?
RH: Just looking forward to fighting in the US again. The last one was a big success and if my next fight is at welterweight expect to see me stronger with more time to prepare and if it’s at LT Welter, you know I’m already the number one guy in that weight class. I’m looking forward to fighting again soon.
FF: Ricky thanks for taking the time to talk with FightFan.com, it’s always a pleasure.
RH: Cheers mate, we’ll talk to you soon.
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