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| On the Lighter Side |
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Touted as the biggest fight of 2009, the Hatton-Pacquaio Battle of the East & West has most of the major media covering the fighters as they prepare for the May 2 blockbuster event. While publicity stories about The Hitman and The Pacman portray the two as seemingly invincible, hardhearted fighters, some words from the champions reveal their lighter side, not much different from the average doting daddies and sentimental sons.
Ricky’s mother, Carol, works in a carpet stall in England’s Glossop Market in the Peak District. His father Ray is his manager and also manages his brother and fellow boxer, Matthew Hatton. Ricky has a son, Campbell, with ex-girlfriend, Claire. A doting daddy, Ricky sees his son everyday and has set up a trust fund to make sure Campbell is always provided for. He and his girlfriend, Jennifer Dooley, live in his house, which he named the "Heartbreak Hotel" after his favorite artist Elvis.
While preparing for his fight with Manny, Ricky wrote blogs on his website which reveal a lot about The Hitman.
Ricky’s Blogs
"I love Vegas, but it’s tough when you are in training camp…the hardest part is passing the time, especially when you are away from your family for so long."
"Hopefully, come May 2, it will all pay off. I know that I am working to secure my son Campbell’s future."
"I like to listen to Oasis, Kings of Leon and the Stone Roses. I have set my iPod so that when I am coming towards the end of the run, which is five miles, the Rolling Stones come on and I pick up the pace for a fast sprint finish, songs like Start Me Up and Satisfaction really get me going at the end. I know its daft but when you get a good track it really lifts you."
"It’s been a hard week, but following the sparring we had a bit of a laugh, some of the lads were practicing dancing for some reason, Speakie, Kuggan, Ramin and even Floyd got in on the act... I bet if Manny sees it he thinks we are all a bunch of crazy clowns. It’s good to have a laugh; it lightens things up."
"I did a little bit of shopping and got some new sunglasses. I always lose mine and within half a day- guess what, I lost my new sunglasses!"
"Well, today our Matthew (Ricky’s younger brother) arrived full of the joys of Spring. It’s nice to have our kid here with me, he’s not just my brother, he’s my best mate as well.
" No sooner do I get back to England, than I will be off on holiday to Spain... already I can’t wait!"
"After training, me and Matthew had to do an eye test for the Nevada State Commission. They stick some drops in your eyes and it really does make your vision blurry for a couple of hours after, I can tell you. But the good people at the Nevada State Commission think of the fighters and because the sun is so bright out here, they gave us a pair of huge, temporary sunglasses each. We looked like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles as we walked out onto the street!"
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