Read more about Other Sports.
Hatton to toe the line
Other Sports, 13:13, November 24, 2008 ,
Ricky Hatton says he will curb his drinking excesses in between fights but will not give up the booze completely.
The 30-year-old retained his IBO Light Welterweight title with victory over Paulie Malignaggi on Saturday in Las Vegas and is now set for the usual rest and relaxation period before the build up to his next fight.
Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher were ringside in the Nevada city on Saturday to watch their fellow Manchester City supporter win in 11 rounds and the three were intent on partying for the next few days before returning to the UK.
Hatton is now under the tutelage of Floyd Mayweather Snr, who has made it clear that he feels Hatton's 'between-fight' routine is detrimental to his performances in the ring, saying: "I told him 'you want to beat these guys, man, you want to continue to beat these guys like Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr?
"'You can forget about whupping those kind of guys if you're going to continue that kind of life, drinking and Ricky Fatton and all that'. It's something I'm very concerned about.
"It's very simple. He needs to do this to save his career, however much time he has left - it might be two or three years, but the less he gets into (drinking alcohol) the longer his career is going to last."
Hatton's drink and junk-food binges have been well documented over the years and, while he has no intention of staying away from his excesses completely, the 'Hit Man' realises that he must give some ground if he is to stay at the top of his sport.
"I am what I am. I'm a jack-the-lad. I like a drink," he told BBC Sport. "Floyd wants me to stop drinking completely but I don't think I need to go that strenuous.
"I am willing to meet him half way. I live with my girlfriend now so I'm settled down, with home cooking so I am going in the right direction.
"Everyone keeps going on about my weight and my drinking, but 46 fights under my belt, in 12 years - I'm not performing too badly."