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Hatton splits with Graham
Ricky Hatton's 11-year partnership with Billy Graham has come to an end after the trainer announced his retirement.
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Comments
Peters Liam says...
All i have to say is well done to billy look what he has created in ricky he is going to be missed but ricky should beat malignaggi
Posted 13:17 1st August 2008
Tommy Mcd says...
I don't think Malignaggi is all that, his last fight wasn't up to much. He's been carefully managed and hasn't been in with anyone of real note apart from Cotto who hammered him. I'd go for a Hatton stoppage late even though Ricky is beginning to look a little jaded. I hope none of them even consider stepping up to take on Margarito after what he did to Cotto. Graham did an excellent job with Hatton over the years, getting him in super shape for grinding down opponents.
Posted 11:41 30th July 2008
John Burke says...
Enjoy your retirement Billy. I'm sure Ricky,Carl Thompson & all the other Boxers you have trained wish you all the very best!!! From john.B.& Manchester Fight Fans..
Posted 09:32 30th July 2008
Graeme Hagen says...
It's a shame Billy had to quit but if he does have health problems it can't be helped. I don't think Hatton is the most skillful boxer in the world, but his high work rate and body punching are what work well for him, so I think Billy did a great job training him. Hatton is too good for Malignaggi and should wear him down and stop him late on. I hope Billy enjoys his retirement.
Posted 06:42 30th July 2008
Declan Armstrong says...
Best wishes to Billy when he retires. The Preacher was as good a trainer as any and deserves his time in the sun, so to speak. As for Ricky...get yourself in marvelous shape, beat Malignaggi and fight Pac Man next year. Then call it a day. Best wishes..Dec
Posted 00:54 30th July 2008
Matt O'brien says...
No boxing skills whatsoever? Are you living on this planet? Let alone ever seen a boxing match? If you had been watching Ricky Hatton since the early days you would know that he has fantastic skills, and lighting (albeit a little slower now with age) reflexes. Hatton is one the greatest fighters this country has ever produced, and is the only person in recent years to give Mayweather a decent fight. I was at the City of Manchester stadium to see Malignaggi before the Hatton fight, and he is not even in the same class as Lazcano! Ask the likes of Mayweather, Tszyu and his US promoter (none other than Oscar De Le Hoya) whether he has no boxing skills. I'm sure they'd disagree.
Posted 19:31 29th July 2008
Ricky Jeffrey says...
I think the announcement spells the indirect decline of hatton. At best he has two more fights in him, at worst the next one as a loss and its game over. it would be a shame to lose last fight. i hope he retires before he gets badly beaten.
Posted 19:16 29th July 2008
Jack Whieldon says...
it's sad to see billy graham retire.. but i think he took hatton as far as he could and new trainer could be great for hatton. he maybe be getting old now but hatton does have skill and can still be a great boxer/fighter. but i think he will beat malinaggi easyly and KO him but he will definetelly should not fight oscar de la hoya as he will get hammered and i love ricky hatton greatest fan base and entertainer of all time in my eyes :) hope u all aggree
Posted 16:37 29th July 2008
James Hassell says...
I for one will miss billy graham, he made hatton what he is and taught him everything he needed to get his world title. he was a credit to the sport and hatton would not have been the all action fighter he is without him. such a character, on the lead up to the mayweather fight when hatton had that extra muscle you could see the fear on his face and how proud he was with rickys training, ricky was like another son to him and no doubt made him proud. thanks for everything billy.
Posted 16:27 29th July 2008
Gaz Egginton says...
To be honest i think this has been on the cards for a while. I do think that the change may benefit Ricky to look at other areas to improve as a fighter as we all know he will only have a couple of fights left. However there can be no denying the brilliant partnership that Ricky and Billy had together in producing a fighter that will go down in history as having the support and giving us some of the best nights in British boxing history. Best of luck Billy, you are an outstanding trainer and man and i hope you enjoy you retirment in the states and get all the tributes that you deserve
Posted 15:35 29th July 2008
Mark Wilson says...
hatton has no boxing skills whatsoever?!!! steven mcnamara? then how does someone become the ring magazine and linear champion of his division without having any boxing skills whatsoever?!!! sure he isnt what he was 3 years ago, but hes still the best light welterweight. and mallignaggi couldnt knock a flyweight out so it should be easy money for hatton.
Posted 14:39 29th July 2008
Chris Money says...
its a sad day in the hatton camp billy graham should get a knighthood for what he has done with ricky takin him to the top of his game and kept him there so take a bow billy graham you will be missed
Posted 13:34 29th July 2008
Wayne Thompson says...
i disagree with Steven Mcnamara, Ricky Hatton has boxing skills and displayed them in fights against Ben Tackie, Juan Urango and others. Billy taught Hatton "Educated Pressure" and was a pleasure to watch. To box "face first" against Mayweather and lose is no great shame. Billy has been a major player in the resurgence of boxing in this country. Thanks Billy and good luck for the future.
Posted 13:25 29th July 2008
Mick Oneale says...
Billy Graham ! A true legend, not just in boxing but in sport in general. He will be missed.
Posted 13:01 29th July 2008
Mike Jefferson says...
i think billy graham has been a credit to british boxing he worked with everyone from ensley bingham robin reid ricky hatton and many others ,his style did not suit everyone ie i could not see him training a khan or a prince naseem but he is effective nevertheless he will be a big loss to boxing and also hatton,who is already in decline and without graham i think its a case of malagniani may be one fight to many and oscar would be the fight he would be remembered for if it happens a ko with hatton being remembered as someone who fought too long and took the biggest fighters when past his peak
Posted 11:25 29th July 2008
Paul Hampton says...
I am so gutted Billy has retired but lets hope Ricky can get another world class trainer and beat Malinaggi! I really hope Billy stays in Rickys corner though, would be a great loss if he didn't.
Posted 11:19 29th July 2008
Steven Mcnamara says...
i think he had taken Hatton as far as he could, he made him swing wild hooks at a body belt, and taught him to fight with his face, that's why hes an old 30, he could be outboxed by Malignaggi, because he has no boxing skills whatsoever
Posted 11:12 29th July 2008
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