City-mad Hatton invites Sheiks to ringside

Ricky Hatton hopes to add Manchester City’s prospective new owners to his huge band of supporters after inviting them to his fight against Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas.

City supporter Hatton, 29, takes on the Italian-American at the MGM Grand on November 22 with nearly 13,000 tickets already sold – many of them to Britons planning to travel across the Atlantic.

Hatton regularly attracts footballing superstars from both City and other clubs to his fights, but with his idols busy on the pitch during the football season, he has instead extended the invitation to the club’s wealthy prospective investors.

City are close to finalising a takeover by the Abu Dhabi-based United Group and have already flexed their financial muscle by signing Brazilian superstar Robinho – with further blockbuster signings expected in January.

“Without a doubt if they want to come over they are more than welcome, obviously the City players always get an invite,” said Hatton.

“The football season is going on so November is not good. May or June is always good for the football boys to fly over.

“But if the owners want to come then yes, it would be great to see them there.”

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney carried one of Hatton’s belts to the ring for a previous fight and the ’Hitman’ revealed fellow City fan, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, will get the honour against Malignaggi.