It?s never been Ricky Hatton?s habit to come into a fight not fully prepared.
So when Hatton answers the bell on May 2 with Manny Pacquiao on the opposite corner, the Filipino stalwart must remember that the British slugger is guided by the desire to become the best in the world ? nothing less.
In his tell-all autobiography (Ricky Hatton: The Hitman ? My Story, published 2006), the 30-year-old Hatton admitted to being a lover of the good life but is adamant that when it?s time to train for a fight, it?s all business.
“When I am not in training, I have got to unwind. I could not live like a monk the whole time. I would go bonkers,” wrote Hatton with the help of Niall Hickmann, who is the boxing correspondent for Daily Express.
“Without getting too philosophical, life is too short to be worried about what others think and if other fighters have a problem with my lifestyle, I can?t do anything about that.”
Hatton continued: “All I can say is that in the ring I am always 100 percent. I have never been anything other than in great condition. I know the rules and the rules say you cannot cut corners in boxing, so I don?t. When it is time to knuckle down, the gym becomes my life.”
As soon as Hatton returned to Manchester from a two-week vacation, he immediately packed his bags and reported for training, an indication that the rugged puncher is hell-bent in beating Pacquiao.
As Hatton was working out a sweat, Pacquiao was still in the middle of fulfilling all his commitments in showbiz, academe and sports media although he is set to leave on Feb. 24 to take part in a whirlwind promotional tour in England.
