'I am a friend of every fighter I have signed' - Ricky Hatton

Will Ricky Hatton stay or will he go? At Wednesday’s press conference for his brother Matthew's European title tilt, we were encouraged not to open up that hot topic.

But there is his promotional career and with his experience of being a fighter Ricky may now just have a slight weight advantage on the other side of the ropes and he aims to maximise this.

“I always said after becoming a champion that the next best thing would be to produce a champion and that is what I am doing now.

"I know exactly what fighters go through I’ve always believed that a promoter shouldn’t just be someone who signs cheques, he should be there at the end of a phone call for any of the lads.”

I’m glad to report that Ricky is practising what he preaches. “I am a friend of every fighter I have signed and they have all got my phone number and they know where I am if they need me for anything, advice or any problems they have got, I think that is what a promoter should be.”

Hatton added he has learnt from his own interactions with promoters and said he often only used to see them on fight night. Ricky was keen to stress this isn’t the way a promoter should conduct themselves but should be more of a friend rather than someone who just pays the wages.

Winning world titles in two weight divisions, while only losing to two modern greats has been a major factor in his desire to gain the fighters ears and because of his credentials Ricky says they listen.

Even though Ricky is a multi-millionaire he is quick to remember how hard this game can be and feels the boxers deserve their reward above the promoter.

“All the way through my career I have always said the fighters should get well paid for what they do and should earn the most money, that’s where we are at the minute.”

Ricky paid tribute to Oscar De La Hoya who set the trend for a fighter becoming promoter.

“I learnt a lot from Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya because he has been there and done that, breaking certain barriers. I would like to take that into my promoting.”

With his fighting career drawing to a close, Hatton is putting all his energy into his promotional company with a hands on attitude and has no intention of being a ‘flash in the pan’ promoter.

“I am in the gym and office five days a week now doing everything that needs to be done, working with the rest of the team and I’m also working with Bob Shannon (Matthew's trainer) coaching and helping the lads. I am enjoying it at the minute.”

It certainly sounds like Ricky is living his dream and thankfully he was the one who began to speak about his fighting future and I promise it wasn’t me or any of the other guys who probed him on this.

He closed this round by dismissing recent Sky reports that claimed a press conference to announce his retirement was in the pipeline.

“As far as my fighting goes, all in good time, I’ll make the announcement and until you hear it from the horse's mouth that is the only time you should take it serious, not from hearsay in a pub which is what I have been reading (referring to Steve Lillis' original article on his 'retirement'). It upsets me because it is just someone trying to make a name for themselves.”

Ricky says he is content with life now and is aiming for the top once more.

“I wouldn’t go into something if I didn’t think I could be the best so the aim is to try and become the best promoter out there and even tough I have only been going a year I don’t think I’ve made a bad start with the European fights (Matthew Macklin and Scott Lawton) and my brother challenging for the world title (IBO - Ed.). I have got some great prospects coming through and I think the next 12 months are going to be dead exciting.”

His first London show this Friday bears witness to his statement.

Promoter or fighter Ricky doesn’t do boredom!