“Keeping the Old Man on His Toes” – Ricky Hatton prepares for Marco Antonio Barrera fight as he takes on his son Campbell Hatton
British boxing legend Ricky Hatton is using his son Campbell Hatton as a sparring partner ahead of his highly anticipated comeback fight.
Hatton will return to the ring to take on legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera on July 2 at Manchester’s AO Arena after undergoing a body transformation that returned ‘The Hitman’ to peak physical condition.
Hatton retired for good in 2012 after his ill-fated comeback fight against Vyacheslav Senchenko ended in a disastrous ninth-round knockout loss.
Ten years later, Manchester’s favorite son is happy to be back in camp for a fight and enjoying the process that has included training with IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington and his son, who is currently forging his own career in sports.
On Friday, Hatton expressed his pride after sharing the ring with Campbell, 21, who is currently unbeaten in the sport having won seven straight since making his professional debut last year.
“Very emotional day for me as a father today,” the 43-year-old icon wrote on Instagram.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Campbell Hatton anyway as everyone knows but I never thought I would see him turn pro and especially never thought I would be in training camp. to train with him. 6 x 3 made today at breakneck pace,” he wrote on social media.
“Talk about keeping his old man on his toes. I’ve had so many proud moments in this sport over the years. Another arrives on July 2. Today guys. It was also up there.
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Training with his son seems to have been the icing on the cake of a wonderful experience for Hatton, who enjoyed every minute of his first fight camp in a decade.
“I love it, to be honest with you,” Hatton told talkSPORT.
“The support I’ve received from everyone has been extremely encouraging and I hope I’ve inspired some people along the way.
“Everyone knew my head fell off a few years ago and to see me get it back on track, doing what I’m doing and in the state I’m in – everyone’s a winner, as they say. “
“Everything just seems to be falling into place. I feel a little aches as you would expect at 43 but I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.
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