ManchesterOnline

Amir out to have final say

AMIR Khan has cranked up his war of words with Andreas Kotelnik - promising to teach the Ukranian a boxing lesson.

Khan hopes to win his first world title next month when he takes on the WBA light-welterweight champion.

Hall: Brother was hardest fight

MATTHEW Hall has survived two stabbings but he insists nothing compares to squaring up with his brother.

The Commonwealth light-middleweight champion has revealed how regular beatings from his older brother, Carl, as a child have turned him into the fighter he is today.

Hatton torn over swansong

RICKY Hatton has revealed the agonising he is going through as he decides whether or not to bring the curtain down on his boxing career.

The Hitman is still to make a decision on his future after his devastating second-round defeat to Manny Pacquiao in May.

Hall a silent assassin

QUIET man Matthew Hall is convinced his fists will do the talking when he steps into the ring with motormouth Anthony Small.

Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Hall defends his title against Small at the MEN Arena next month, when the pair will also compete for the vacant British title.

Delay won't knock Amir off course

AMIR Khan is confident he can beat Ukraine's Andreas Kotelnik and become Britain's latest boxing world champion when the pair battle it out for the WBA light-welterweight title next month.

The title showdown will finally take place at the MEN Arena on July 18 after being re-scheduled due to Kotelnik damaging his teeth during sparring.

Murray hammer blow

JOHN Murray suffered the bittersweet sensation of smashing Scott Lawton on Saturday night - and still losing his British lightweight title.

And now the Levenshulme fighter may face more heartache, with the British Boxing Board of Control preparing to hit him with a hefty fine.

Khan fight switched to M.E.N. Arena

AMIR Khan's clash with Andreas Kotelnik has been postponed because the Ukrainian is suffering from a tooth infection.

The WBA light-welterweight title fight will now take place on July 18 at the Manchester Evening News arena.

Murray's ready to take on the world

JOHN Murray is ready for the "hardest fight of my life" when he makes the second defence of his British lightweight title on Saturday night.

The Levenshulme lad has not fought since stopping Lee McAllister in January, and the threat of ring rust is almost as worrying as the speed and ability of Stoke veteran Scott Lawton.

Murray plans world domination

JOHN Murray believes Jon Thaxton could hold the key to his plans of world domination. The British lightweight champion makes the second defence of his title against Scott Lawton on June 13, but already has his sights on much bigger things.

The Manchester fighter hopes a clash with former European champion Thaxton will prove he has the credentials to challenge for a world title.

Fury still flying

WILMSLOW heavyweight Tyson Fury continued his march towards the British title by registering his sixth straight inside the distance victory at Watford.

Latest to feel the force of man mountain Fury was Northern Ireland's Scott Belshaw, beaten just once in 11 previous bouts and never stopped.

Mayweather urges Hatton to quit

FLOYD Mayweather has urged 'gun-shot' Ricky Hatton to retire and absolved his controversial trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr of any blame for the defeat by Manny Pacquiao.

Hatton was taken to hospital after his brutal two-round demolition by Pacquiao nearly three weeks ago and is now considering his future.

Fury aims to measure up

TYSON Fury is finally picking on someone his own size - and he is delighted about it!

The 6ft 9ins Manchester heavyweight has smashed the five opponents put in front of him since turning pro last year, and is rapidly becoming Britain's hottest heavyweight prospect since Lennox Lewis.

Haye slayer fears Klitschko

DAVID Haye is being haunted by the ghost of the Cat as he gears up for his world heavyweight title shot at Vladimir Klitschko next month.

The British ace is aiming to become the first Briton since Lennox Lewis to win one of the major belts in boxing's one-time glamour division, when he faces the big Ukrainian in front of an expected 60,000-plus crowd at Schalke's football stadium.

Hatton set for £1m legal fight

RICKY Hatton is being sued for more than £1m by former trainer Billy Graham.

But the Hitman, currently pondering retirement from the sport after defeat by Manny Pacquiao, has vowed to defend the matter in court.

Hitman's KO punch

RICKY Hatton is set to ditch Floyd Mayweather Senior and be trained by Lee Beard if he decides to continue boxing.

The Hitman won't decide whether to continue with his ring career until he has been on holiday, and eased the emotional hurt of his defeat by Manny Pacquiao.

Jennings returns with a win

CHORLEY welterweight Michael Jennings bounced back from his fifth round world title defeat at the hands of Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto three months ago with an impressive fourth round stoppage victory over Ireland's Willie Thompson at Belfast's Odyssey Arena on Friday night.

Previously unbeaten Thompson of Ballyclare began each round full of promise but soon found himself under increasing pressure and, frustrated, he had a point deducted for holding in the third round.

Ricky shouldn't have fought

RICKY Hatton's preparations for his ill-fated showdown with Manny Pacquiao were so shambolic he should have withdrawn from the fight, according to his father Ray.

Hatton's training camp for the clash, which ended in a brutal second-round knockout of the Mancunian, was undermined by a deteriorating relationship with controversial trainer Floyd Mayweather Senior.

Jennings set to bounce back

GETTING mauled by an elite fighter like Miguel Cotto has not put a dent in Michael Jennings' confidence.

In fact, the Chorley welterweight cannot wait for the chance to try his luck at world level again!

Fury calls out big John

TYSON Fury's next fight will be on May 23 - and after that he wants recent British heavyweight title contender John McDermott, writes STUART BRENNAN.

The giant from Styal has taunted McDermott and current champion Danny Williams, who met last week for the Lonsdale Belt, with Williams a points victor.

Hitman thinks it over

RICKY Hatton has admitted that he would quit boxing if he was to make the decision today.

The Hitman is still feeling the heartache of his devastating defeat by Manny Pacquiao 11 days ago - and that is why he will not be making up his mind about his future until `my head is in a better place'.

Foster lines up Burns fight

STEPHEN Foster Junior will finally get a title shot when he takes on Ricky Burns for the Commonwealth super-featherweight belt on June 19.

The 28-year-old Salfordian has had just one fight since his brave, but ultimately unsuccessful, challenge for Alex Arthur's WBO interim title 17 months ago.

Murray out to conquer world

JOHN Murray has vowed to takeover the boxing world in two years – starting with Scott Lawton on June 13.

Manchester’s British lightweight champion has been out of the ring since January, but has a busy time ahead of him after a clear-the-air talk with promoter Mick Hennessey.

Mayweather Snr rounds on Hatton camp

FLOYD Mayweather Senior has rounded on Ricky Hatton, blaming the Hitman and assistant trainer Lee Beard for the fighter's devastating knockout by Manny Pacquiao.

The two men have not spoken since Hatton's second round demolition in Las Vegas ten days ago, and will not work together again even if Hatton does decide to fight on.

Katsidis an option for Hatton

RICKY HATTON will put Aussie brawler Michael Katsidis top of his hit-list if he goes ahead with an expected farewell fight in Manchester later this year.

Hatton, 30, is believed to be making an announcement on his boxing future next week after being brutally knocked out in two rounds by Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao last weekend.

Hall out to stop rot

MATTHEW Hall aims to bring the smiles back to Manchester boxing by wiping the grimace off Anthony Small's face.

The Middleton fighter had to watch his close pal and gym mate Thomas McDonagh lose his British title elimination fight on Saturday night and then hours later watched, horror-struck, as Ricky Hatton was smashed to defeat by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

Comment: Hat's that for Hitman

TEARS being shed at ringside should not be the way the Ricky Hatton story ends.

The script should read that the kid from the Hattersley estate defied the odds - and the pies and pints - and ended up ruling the world, glory be.

Hatton: I'm sorry

RICKY Hatton has apologised to his army of fans in the wake of his devastating defeat to Manny Pacquiao which left the Hyde-based Hitman agonising over whether to quit boxing.

The Manchester fighter was knocked out in the second round of his IBO light-welterweight title bout in Las Vegas which confirmed the Filipino Pacman as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Dream over for Hatton

RICKY Hatton's career lay in tatters today after he was blitzed by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

The Hitman was knocked out cold late in the second round, leading to worries about his health as he lay prone and unconscious on the canvas.

Mayweather: Ricky should quit

TRAINER Floyd Mayweather Snr believes Ricky Hatton should retire after his devastating loss to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

The Manchester fighter was knocked out in the second round of his IBO light-welterweight title bout with the man considered to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Quick finish for Moore

JAMIE Moore emphasised his world title credentials by cruising to victory in his first European title defence tonight.

Up against a top ten European fighter in Ukraine’s Roman Dzuman, Moore was simply too powerful and too accurate as he eased to a second-round stoppage win in Sunderland.

Matthew and Joe keep flag flying

MATTHEW Hatton brought some cheer to a bleak night for the Hatton family by staying on course for his IBO welterweight title fight later this year.

The younger of the fighting brothers racked up a unanimous points victory over Mexico's Ernesto Zepeda on the undercard at the MGM Grand. Joe Murray was also victorious.

Sparring partner tips Manny

MANNY Pacquiao's sparring partner Dean Byrne reckons the pound-for-pound king will have too much in his armoury for Ricky Hatton tonight.

Unbeaten Irish welterweight Byrne has served as a sparring partner for Filipino superstar Pacquiao at trainer Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in the build-up to both this fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and last December's victory over Oscar De La Hoya.

Hatton ready to rumble

RICKY Hatton is planning to disprove Manny Pacquiao's theory the bigger you are the slower you become.

The two men were set to weigh in tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, 24 hours ahead of their light-welterweight clash for Hatton's IBO and Ring Magazine titles.

Hatton pal backing Ricky

THE first person ever to climb into a boxing ring with Ricky Hatton is backing the Hitman to rule the world when he takes on Manny Pacquiao.

Steven Bell first squared up to the fiery 11-year-old Hatton when the two boys were young amateurs at the Louvolite boxing club in Hyde.

Mayweather Snr admits bumpy ride

FLOYD Mayweather Sr has admitted to problems in Ricky Hatton’s training camp during the build-up to Saturday night’s clash with Manny Pacquiao but insists preparations went well.

The American sends British star Hatton into the MGM Grand Garden Arena to defend his unbeaten record at light-welterweight against the pound for pound best boxer in the world.

Hatton camp eyes gold rush

RICKY Hatton will line up a record-breaking return to Britain if he can upset the odds and beat world No 1 Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night.

The Hitman will lay claim to be the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet if he can overcome the Filipino whirlwind in Las Vegas.

Hatton Jnr fully focused

MATTHEW Hatton has title ambitions of his own to consider when he fights on brother Ricky's undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Manchester's Hatton (35-4-1, 13 KOs) takes on Ernesto Zepeda of Mexico in a 10-round welterweight contest less than five weeks after knocking out Ted Bami in Altrincham in an IBO title eliminator.

Hatton: I'm better than ever

RICKY Hatton believes he is "the best he has ever been" heading into Saturday's showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

The "Hitman" takes a 42-1 (32 KOs) record into the light-welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and is unbeaten in the 140-pound division, his lone defeat coming at 147 pounds when he was stopped by Floyd Mayweather Jr in the same ring nearly 17 months ago.

Talk is good, says Ricky

RICKY Hatton believes Freddie Roach's trash talking is a sign Manny Pacquiao's camp are over-confident about Saturday night's showdown in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao takes on Hatton in the Englishman's light-welterweight division at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in only his third fight above 130 pounds.

Pacquiao special: A warrior's tale

BRILLIANT boxer, political flop, aspiring actor and one of the Philippines' richest men - Manny Pacquiao is a man of many faces.

But the warrior who will glare across the ring at Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas on Saturday night is the product of a classic rags-to-riches boxing story, the tale of a kid who lived rough on the streets before finding his fortune in his fists.

Moore out to put world in motion!

JAMIE Moore can set up a crack at the WBC world title if he successfully defends his European light-middleweight title on Saturday night.

The southpaw - the first Salfordian to win the title for 99 years - faces Ukrainian ace Roman Dzuman in Sunderland, on the British "undercard" of Sky's coverage of Ricky Hatton v Manny Pacquiao.

McDonagh gets serious

THOMAS McDonagh has a new ruthless streak - and he expects it to take him to British title glory later this year.

The Blackley light-middleweight has been labelled the Clown Prince of Manchester boxing for his tomfoolery in the ring. Meanwhile Tyson Fury's US debut, due tonight, has been called off after the heavyweight caught a virus.

Hatton facing 'complete fighter'

RICKY Hatton must prepare to face a complete fighter when he steps into a Las Vegas ring on May 2 to face Manny Pacquiao, according to the Filipino's trainer Freddie Roach.

Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) and Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the Englishman's IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight titles with both fighters claiming to have become more refined in their fighting styles than earlier in their respective careers.

Khan: I'm ready for the world

AMIR Khan declared he is ready to win a world title just seven months after suffering the shock of a first round knock-out defeat.

The 2004 Olympic silver medallist was floored by Breidis Prescott at the MEN Arena in Manchester on September 7 last year.

Hatton bout heats up

FLOYD Mayweather Senior has warned rival trainer Freddie Roach that he is getting too excited about the prospect of Manny Pacquiao knocking out his man Ricky Hatton on May 2.

Rival trainers Roach and Mayweather Sr continued their war of words ahead of the light-welterweight showdown in Las Vegas.

Khan gets world title shot

AMIR Khan will step up a division to light-welterweight and challenge WBA World Champion Andreas Kotelnik in his next fight, promoter Frank Warren has confirmed.

Bolton fighter Khan, fresh from his win against Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera last month in Manchester, will fight on June 27 at a venue to be confirmed shortly. "This is the best news that I could have received," said Khan.

Fury targets victim No. 5

TYSON Fury is aiming for five straight wins this Saturday when he takes on “Magic” Matthew Ellis at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

The six ft eight ins, 20-year-old Styal fighter has won his first four pro contests inside the distance but 35-year-old Ellis has just six defeats in 27 pro fights and could provide a decent test for Fury.

Haye's world title shot

DAVID Haye has finally secured a shot at the world heavyweight title after signing a contract to take on Ukrainian champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Following around four months of negotiations a deal has at last been agreed for the former undisputed cruiserweight champion to take on IBF and WBO champion Klitschko.

Hatton's Hollywood blockbuster

COME and have a go if you think you're hard enough, Manny. That was the defiant message from Ricky Hatton as he hit the Hollywood red carpet ahead of his blockbuster fight with Filipino legend Pacquiao on May 2.

The Las Vegas bout is expected to generate a whopping £63m, which would make it the second richest fight involving a British boxer in history, after Lennox Lewis's clash with Mike Tyson in 2002.

Fury's challenge to old foe

TYSON Fury has called out David Price to end their bickering match once and for all.

The Manchester heavyweight and the Scouser, who won a bronze medal at the Olympics last year, had a bitter rivalry as amateurs and have begun a war of words since both turned pro.

Morris plots revenge

ANDY Morris is plotting to avenge his fellow Mancunian Michael Gomez - and bring the Commonwealth super-featherweight title to the city.

Wythenshawe ace Morris returned to the ring after an 18-month absence with a comprehensive points win over dangerous Youssef Al-Hamidi in Glasgow on Friday night.

Hatton impressed by Genius Joe

RICKY Hatton began his preparations for his Las Vegas super fight against Manny Pacquiao happy in the knowledge his protege has made a highly successful start to his professional career.

Former Olympian Joe Murray from Levenshulme made his professional debut and won all six rounds on the Hatton bill at Altrincham against seasoned Sid Razak of Birmingham.

Hatton beats Bami

MATTHEW Hatton borrowed a left hook off his big brother to set up a shot at the International Boxing Organisation’s world title.

But the 27-year-old may have to head to South Africa to fight for the belt, against rising star Bongani Mwelase.

Murray wins on pro debut

JOE Murray was not cavorting around the dressing room after his highly impressive pro debut win over Sid Razak.

Indeed, the kid who looks like being the latest star to add to Manchester’s twinkling firmament of boxing stars was deep in conversation with his idol Ricky Hatton, now also his promoter.

Beaten Gomez: It's over

MANCHESTER veteran Michael Gomez is heading for retirement after his punishing defeat to Scotsman Ricky Burns last night.

Gomez says he wants a couple of ‘easy’ wins to get his professional record to 50 fights.

Fury steps up verbal war

TYSON Fury stepped up his war of words with former amateur rival David Price, claiming the Liverpudlian should issue a restraining order against him if he is to have any chance of making it in the pro ranks.

Price has been lining up his own professional debut in the week when Styal giant Fury confirmed he will make his US debut in Connecticut on April 25.

Magic man Hatton's box of tricks

FROM Altrincham to Las Vegas in the space of five weeks - but Matthew Hatton is not about to be dazzled by the bright lights.

The 27-year-old faces former European champion Ted Bami in an eliminator for a shot at the International Boxing Organisation's world title at the Cheshire town's leisure centre on Saturday night.

Gomez gets the needle

MICHAEL Gomez says his next opponent Ricky Burns has gone tattoo far this time.

The Scot, who defends the Commonwealth super-featherweight title against Manchester warrior Gomez a week tomorrow, has already designed a new piece of body art to celebrate his victory - a picture of Gomez sprawled on the canvas!

Hatton's tribute to Floyd

RICKY Hatton has paid tribute to trainer Floyd Mayweather sr for getting him in top shape and rejuvenating his career.

There were some who felt he should have hung up his gloves after a sloppy win over Juan Lazcano last May.

Khan: I'm back on track

AMIR Khan heads off on holiday tomorrow content in the knowledge his career is on an upward curve again.

The Commonwealth lightweight champion is still basking in the glow of his marvellous fifth-round victory against the highly-respected Marco Antonio Barrera in Manchester two weeks ago.

Jeffries' home town vow

OLYMPIC bronze medallist Tony Jeffries vowed to make his home town debut as a professional fighter "the biggest night of boxing Sunderland has ever had".

The Manchester-based fighter - who trains alongside Olympic teammate Joe Murray in Denton - said the roar of "a thousand Mackems" would drive him on when he fought at Crowtree Leisure Centre on May 2.