Ricky Hatton Quotations

Ricky's never been interested in the business side of things, ... All Richard is interested in is boxing. Even when I could get him to come along to meetings he'd sit there and text his mates the whole time and wouldn't pay a bit of attention. After some meetings I've turned to him and said 'Do you want to know what that means?' and he's just said 'No, you deal with that, dad, I just want to fight'.

I have been very pleased with Dennis Hobson, ... We spoke to many people about the prospect of working with them and Dennis delivered. He put his money where his mouth is and delivered the fight.

I don't know who it will be yet, it is genuinely still being negotiated but I expect to know by the weekend.

Frank has got a shock from our witness statements. He feels it's better if they are cross-examined - but he should be prepared for the truth to come out.

Over the last couple of years we have been offered deals by other promoters but we have always stayed with Frank because we like him.

Dennis has put his money where his mouth is and put this deal on the table because he said he could get me what I wanted.

This is the position I've always dreamed of being in.

It's always been my dream to come to the United States for a big fight, ... But the paymaster likely is going to have the final say. The crowds we could generate in Manchester for say a Floyd Mayweather fight would make it difficult to go anywhere else.

It's an opportunity to become a double-weight world champion and the owner of three world titles. It is a real fight, a real title and a real opponent.

It will be a shame if it does go to court. It's not ideal preparation, but it's just making me more determined.

I'd shout 'Hey Dan! Can I have your sausage?' and he'd nod yes. Then: 'Hey Dan, how about the bacon?' - and then the eggs, and then the toast - and he'd say 'yes, yes yes'.

Both of us don't go backwards and I think that is the key to the fight. Whoever ends up going backwards is going to lose.

I think that headband and that brylcreem and that gel on his hair will do him no good should we get it on.

What is happening is not ideal. Sometimes nothing goes smoothly in the preparation for fights, and that is when you have to show what kind of champion you are and deal with whatever is put in front of you. This is just another obstacle, and if it does go to court then I will be as equally determined to overcome it.

The one thing that's hurt in my career is people saying I don't want to come out of Manchester to fight people.

I have always really liked Tom Jones and I can't wait to see him in action. One thing is for sure, I would rather be singing for a living than getting punched on the head.

I've been giving a little gamble on the roulette and just sitting having a coffee with the fans, chatting away.

I've got a lot to prove because of the criticism over my weight and moving back down a division.

It's unbelievable really. For something that started off as a hobby, I ended up getting paid for doing it.

If you want to watch two guys knock hell out of each other, watch us.

I was leaving the hotel to get to the fight when my phone went and someone said 'Hello Ricky, it's Tom'. I said 'Tom who?' and when he said 'Tom Jones' I told him to eff off! I thought it was a wind-up!

He's won't push me back on the night and he certainly wasn't going to push me back up there.

Dad's tiny - his passport picture is a full-length shot. He looks like he just hopped off a key ring. Mum is a different matter, she's a bit of a handful to say the least. I love her more than anyone on this Earth. But she's a monster.

Winning the IBF title was the greatest night of my life. To give it up outside the ring is truly painful.

I'm a Mancunian born and bred and I feel I'm no different to the man in the crowd and it's nice to reward them. I want to become a great champion.

I had to come to the United States to prove myself. I fought for a long time in England and a lot of people thought I was a protected fighter.

It was just 12 months ago that I was the one doing the chasing and looking for all the big names. I guess now I'm universally recognized as No. 1 in the division and they're all looking for me. To be in a position where I can pick my opponents, wow, that's a fighter's dream, really.

I'll go gentle on him, ... I promise not to rough him up too much. I just think him saying stuff like that is just him. He's like the Junior Witter of America, he hasn't got a good word to say about anyone expect himself. Personality wise, he's very different to me, that's for sure.

As an amateur, I couldn't get many fights. No one would fight me when I was a schoolboy.

It's still one of the proudest moments in my career boxing at Madison Square Garden. Some fighters who have won titles and championships have never boxed at Madison Square Garden. For a little kid just off a council estate to do it was a dream come true.

I have no fear in moving up (in weight) and fighting.

As long as I've got the love of the fans, that means everything to me.

The fans only don't support me cos of the way I fight, they support me cos of the way I am.

Depression is very bad illness. This will be the toughest fight of my life.

You can't let a man like this beat you.

What's the point being the best fighter on the planet if no likes you?

I think if you get the opportunity to try and become the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and you turn your back on it, then you're a bit of a fraud.

I think my greatest achievement in boxing is my following.

If you can't sell tickets you'll struggle.

If there was such a thing as re-incarnation, Floyd would come back as himself

What sort of champion would I be if I just stayed in my normal weight division and didn't take the big challenges on? Bring them on, that's what Ricky Hatton's all about.

My first world title gave me the confidence to go and do bigger and better things.

They call me Ricky Fatton. Mind you I've had a lot on my plate recently. I got measured for this suit the other week. They measured my pants, jacket, top to bottom. Bloody hell Ricky you're a Mark F they said, a size up from a marquee.

I'm going to say hello to two friends who I've shut out of my life for the past 10 weeks while I trained the hardest I've ever done for a fight. So welcome back Mr Guinness and Mr Dom Perignon.

I've got a problem with my legs, they just can't walk past a chippy.