JUNIOR WITTER has labelled Ricky Hatton a “bully” and a “coward” as the war of words between the British rivals rumbles on.

World light-welterweight champion Junior Witter has warned his rival Ricky Hatton he is risking his career as well as his long-term health by allowing his weight to balloon dramatically between fights.

Ricky Hatton has warned his world light-welterweight title unification showdown with Carlos Maussa in Sheffield tonight will not be a fight for the faint-hearted.

Ricky Hatton’s status as the world’s finest light welterweight may be in little doubt but the ambitious Manchester ’Hitman’ insists he will not be satisfied until he has conquered America.