By Terence Dooley

Ricky Hatton and his former trainer Billy "The Preacher" Graham shook hands and buried the hatchet last Saturday night after hooking up for the first time since they parted company in 2008.

The last time they saw each other was during a court case in 2010, over unpaid monies, but tensions have eased in recent months and the two met socially for the first time in over half a decade at Hatton’s Las Vegas-themed bash in Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse.

“The Hitman” organised the party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his eleven round retirement win over Kostya Tszyu for the light-welterweight world title. Graham, Kerry Kayes, Mick Williamson and Bobby Rimmer all worked the corner that night—Hatton, Graham, Kayes and Williamson were able to reminisce about it together for the first time since the split.

“There was Billy Graham, Kerry Kayes, Mick Williamson and Bobby Rimmer,” stated Hatton when speaking to Sky Sports.  “It was our greatest boxing night and I want to share it with them.  The fact that Billy's here tonight has made my night.”

“It was 10 years ago and it was a huge night for me so I've come to be part of the celebrations and obviously to meet Ricky again,” added Graham.  “The moment that sticks out in my mind was looking around to see it (the fight) was over and I told Ricky.  The look on his face, his eyes... only I could see it.”

“Billy Graham always said that Johnny Lewis would pull Kostya Tszyu out if it was getting that rough, and it was getting rough,” stated Kayes.  “I could see when the referee went over that Lewis was saying to him 'no more' and I shouted: 'Billy it's over!'  It was an incredible moment.”

The pair parted following Hatton’s win over Juan Lazcano in May 2008.  Graham worked one last corner, fulfilling a long-time promise that he would be the chief second for Ojay Abraham’s final fight, a first-round DQ loss to the awkward Jamie Ambler in August 2008.  The soon-to-be former trainer described it as “Strange, but typical Ojay!” before drawing a line under his career in boxing.

He returned to the sport late last year to write a column, Preacher’s Corner, for Boxing Monthly following the death of its owner and editor Glyn Leach; he had pledged to do whatever he could to help the magazine after hearing that Leach had passed away.

Hatton hooked up with Floyd Mayweather Sr. following the split, excelling against Paulie Malignaggi only to run into a prime Manny Pacquiao in his next fight, a 2nd round KO reverse that led to his retirement from the sport in 2009.

The 36-year-old picked up the gloves again in 2012, this time trained by local coach Bob Shannon, only to lose to Vyacheslav Senchenko (KO 9).  He picked a tough comeback challenge to see what he could offer and decided to retire for good following the loss.  He left the sport with a 45-3 (32) record and as a former two-weight world titlist.

Since retiring, Hatton has promoted and trained his own fighters, and looks set to continue in his role as a coach.

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