Ricky Hatton "Already In Great Shape," Says Trainer Lee Beard

by James Slater

There is still well over two months to go until fight time, but Ring magazine light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton is already, in the words of his assistant trainer Lee Beard, "in great shape" for his hugely intriguing May 2nd battle with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao. Training for the biggest fight of his life, and for his second chance to topple a fighter currently seen as the best pound-for-pound in the world, the 30-year-old Manchester warrior is leaving nothing at all to chance.

Hatton, well known for ballooning up in weight between fights, has done no such thing on this occasion - indeed, "Ricky Fatton" has been nowhere to be seen. Hatton knows he is in for a rough and unimaginably tough war with the great Manny Pacquiao, and he has more or less left the beers and the junk food alone since his fine win over Paulie Malignaggi last November read more