Confident Hatton determined to justify massive Vegas billing

EVERY time Ricky Hatton gazes up towards the bright Las Vegas sky he is reminded of the reason why he has earned the right to top the bill in the entertainment capital of the world.

The Manchester ‘Hitman’ sees his own face beaming back down from the gigantic billboards above the Strip, jostling for attention alongside the likes of Celine Dion and Tom Jones.

Ahead of his challenge to Juan Urango for his old IBF light-welterweight title at the Paris Casino tonight, Hatton is acutely aware that it takes a special kind of fighter to earn such lofty status. And that is why his priority remains to emulate his illustrious predecessors like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard and put on a performance fit for his famous surroundings.

Hatton said: “I have said all along I want people to go away from my fights feeling they have been entertained, so I feel I belong up there on those billboards. Las Vegas is all about the biggest names in entertainment and I have not been involved in a stinker yet so I feel I am in the right city. I always believed I had the ability to fight on the biggest stage.”

Hatton has won over the Las Vegas public this week with his self-deprecating brand of humour and talk of being genuinely awed by his new-found superstar status on the Strip.

Now he has the chance to become a semi-permanent fixture, with victory over Urango leading to a June super-fight back in this desert city against the all-action Mexican Jose Luis Castillo.

Such a fight would certainly do justice to any venue, but both Hatton and Castillo, who fights Cameroon’s Herman Ngoudjo on the undercard, are wisely refusing to look too far beyond tonight’s tests.

Castillo, who fought two epic battles with lightweight rival Diego Corrales, said: “I am impressed with Ricky because he has a similar style to mine and he always comes forward throwing a lot of punches.

“I saw Ricky’s excellent win over Kostya Tszyu which helped him make a name for himself in the US. It would be a great fight with him but first we have both got to win on Saturday night.”

But it is not only the setting which Hatton believes will inspire him to keep his side of the bargain and dethrone Urango to reclaim the belt he gained with his win over Tszyu.

He believes he has a big point to prove after accepting he struggled in his last fight in March when he moved up to welterweight and laboured to beat WBA champion Luis Collazo on points.

Hatton said: “Even though it was an exciting fight it was a bit below-par performance-wise and that is something I am determined to address this time.”

Unlike Collazo, Urango is no slick southpaw. He carries a reputation as a come-forward puncher and in his 18 professional fights he has scored 13 victories inside the distance.

The Colombian’s style ought to prove much more suitable for Hatton, who will be roared on by around 3,000 supporters who have taken the opportunity to make the long journey over from England.

For now Hatton’s mind is focused purely on the present, and dispatching Urango in a style which he hopes will do justice to his massive billing in Las Vegas this week.

Another show-stopper is on the cards, with both men exchanging early fire before Hatton’s superior speed allows him to take control and stop the contest in the middle rounds.