Hatton fight not in doubt
by Mark Doyle, 13 May 2008
Ricky Hatton’s father and promoter, Ray, has dispelled rumours that The Hitman’s bout with Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 24 could be postponed.
Hatton’s homecoming had been put in doubt after it emerged that the light-welterweight number one had had to cancel sparring sessions after being laid low by illness - but Ray is adamant that the fight will go ahead.
"He's got a virus, but he will be ready," Ray told the Manchester Evening News.
"He has a chest infection and has been struggling with his breathing, so has had a couple of days off.
"With him working that hard, it is making it harder for the antibiotics to work. And when he is under stress, he struggles to catch his breath.
"It's not ideal. He's not cut the sparring short for nothing, but it won't affect the fight. There is no doubt about that.
”It is a massive show and it is not in jeopardy. There are 55,000 people coming. We couldn't just go and find somewhere else that could put that on a couple of weeks later. And Ricky would never hear of that anyway."