Ricky Hatton: 55,000 fans will be at my next fight..I only had 55 at the first

May 18 2008 Euan Mclean

RICKY HATTON'S pulling power has proved as formidable as his punching with Saturday's homecoming fight in Manchester breaking box office records.

But packing 55,000 punters into the City of Manchester Stadium for his clash with Juan Lazcano won't go to the humble Hitman's head - because he'll never forget the night just 55 turned up for his first pro bout.

It's that kind of down-to-earth attitude mixed with exceptional skill that has earned Hatton a special affinity with the boxing public which stretches way beyond his home city.

But now that worldwide fan base is heading for the 29-year-old's back yard to watch him fulfil a boyhood dream of performing at the home of his beloved Man City.

The comeback fight following his first pro defeat by Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas last December has captured the imagination of the crowds who snapped up 45,000 briefs within four hours.

And gobsmacked Hatton admits he still can't get to grips with his popularity when he looks back on his humble beginnings. He said: "Humbled would be an understatement about how I feel because after all I have achieved in boxing even to this day I never consider myself a star or that big a draw.

"So when things like this happen I find myself laughing at it.

"I'll be fighting in the same stadium as football players who are like gods to me - yet the crowd supporting me is going to be bigger than the team gets.

"It's mind-boggling but makes me so proud. Against Mayweather I fell short of becoming the world's best pound for pound fighter but I reckon I hold the title of being boxing's biggest ticket.

"To sell 45,000 tickets in four hours is just incredible.

"Going back to the Mayweather fight when 35,000 came over to Las Vegas, I don't think that will ever be bettered by a British fighter.

"In the early days my dad used to just pile all the customers from the pub into the back of his carpet business van to go to my fights.

"He'd put five loads of underlay into the back and all my pals would pile in. It's quite a contrast.

"My pro debut was in Widnes and it was the last bout of the night. The cleaners were sweeping up while I was in there fighting.

"There will be 55,000 in the City of Manchester Stadium for this one but it's no exaggeration to say there were only 55 watching me that night in Widnes."

Hatton rates the weekend clash with former WBC world lightweight challenger Lazcano as massive - and not just because of the huge swell of support.

After the knock-out defeat by Mayweather he senses the critics - who for so long made jibes about his lifestyle as his weight ballooned by as much as three stone between fights - are circling.

So with some people ready to write him off in the wake of his first defeat Hatton knows it's crucial to bounce back in style with a convincing disposal of the tough Mexican.

He said: "I sense people are waiting with daggers drawn. From what I hear on the grapevine folk are expecting me to nosedive now.

"That can sometimes be the case after your first defeat - some boxers are never the same again - and people think, 'Ricky will just have a couplemore fights then we'll never see him again'.

"There's no greater incentive than to prove them wrong. What sort of champion would I be if I wrapped it after one defeat? That's not the guy I see when I look in the mirror.

"Boxers prove their greatness by bouncing back from defeat. It's nice when you are winning every fight but when your back is against the wall you really have to prove yourself.

"That's a huge incentive for me to bounce back with a performance that says I am still them an to beat at 10 stone."

Hatton insists his fitness hasn't suffered after a chest infection last month sparked fears the bout would have to be postponed - and revealed he had a go at his dad Ray for causing the scare.

He said: "I had a chest infection a few weeks ago butmy dad panicked just like any parent would probably do ahead of such a big fight.

"We had a few words because he made people worry about whether the fight would go ahead.

"Dad admitted he jumped the gun and too much was made of it. Now I'm firing on all cylinders again and there are no problems lingering from the virus.

"If anything the few days I was forced to take off to recuperate will stand me in good stead."

RICKY HATTON v Juan Lazcano is live on Sky Box Office and in high definition on Sky Box Office HD this Saturday.

To order the fight call 08442 410 888.