RICKY HATTON’S exhibition fight with fellow legend Marco Antonio Barrera is an exercise in mental strength and nostalgia and nothing to do with a serious comeback.
Alarm bells have to ring when a 44-year-old grandfather announces a fight, ten years after his last one ended in a second consecutive defeat.
Ricky Hatton has undergone an incredible body transformation
Hatton, 44, lost four stone after this point
But the former two-weight world champ and Manchester icon has explained how a gruelling training regime, four-stone weight loss and chance to walk out at his local arena on Saturday has hugely improved his life – not threatened it.
The Hitman is in such a good mental space he has even treated himself to the occasional pint in the build-up and even stayed on track over a family holiday where he would usually go OTT.
“I’ve been having a few Guinness here and there,” he said with the trademark smile fans fell in love with. “Because I’ve been able to keep on top of it.
“I went to Tenerife for five weeks. Normally I’d put on a stone and a half but I went there and put four or five pounds on. Everyone was like “f***!” but that’s the way it’s going to be now.
“It’s not gonna be ‘I’m 44, I’m gonna put my feet up, pipe and slippers’.
“You get a little bit older, a bit wiser and things have to change – a little bit.”
Hatton added: “When I jumped on the scales at the start of training it was 15st 4lbs.
“And the weigh-in is this Friday which is made at 11st 7lbs. And I’m 11st 7lbs now.
“It’s been a long way to come. I’m 44years of age, and the shape that I’ve got myself in has taken a lot of hard work.
“It’s been great to give myself a target, a goal. It’s been great for my own wellbeing.
“I’ve had so many message of support from people who have struggled with their weight. They say to see my from where I was a few years ago to where I am now is an inspiration.
“It makes me feel very, very proud that I’m not just going to be back in the ring again, and hear the roar of the crowd again, but it’s also that it’s inspired people. That’s more important for me.”
It was an all-too-rare TV appearance that sparked Hatton’s transformation and a clear out of his wardrobe even more ruthless than his assault on the super-lightweight division.
“I went in and filmed A Question of Sport three weeks before I started training,” he said.
“I’d been in camp for eight weeks when they told me it was coming on.
“I flicked it on and went “F***ing hell!’.
“I was alright mentally and I have been for a while but when I saw the show I emptied my entire wardrobe.
“I’ve got a new wardrobe now, I’m a 30in waist at the minute. I’ve got a few 32s. As soon as the 32s get a bit too tight, I’m not going for the 34s again.
“If I can’t get the button fastened, I don’t f***ing go out!”
The dance with the 48-year-old Mexican warhorse was originally scheduled for July 2 but suffered a postponement.
He handled the heartbreak and extended training camp with typical humour and honesty.
He said: “Physically I’d look in the mirror at 15 stone and think, ‘Rick, you don’t look too bad’ and it never bothered me while I was fighting, because in six or seven weeks I’d be back training and it would come off anyway.
‘IT’S BEEN SO INSPIRING’
“But I’m 44 now, I can’t keep dragging some poor f***er out of retirement every time I want to get some weight off!
“I’ve enjoyed the compliments, people coming up to me with mental health and saying, ‘f***ing hell, Rick, I’ve been struggling with my weight and seeing you shift all that weight has made me want to’.
“Then other people have said, ‘Jesus, Ricky, seeing you a few years ago with all that weight, suicidal, wanting to kill yourself, heavily drinking, heavily into drugs, the way you were, to see you now, it’s been so inspiring’.
“So even when the original fight was postponed, I knew it had not been for nothing.
“It was the first training camp I had in 10 years and now I’ve had two in 10 years. I’ve stayed on top of things, I do 10-rounds of sparring, I wouldn’t have been able to in the last time. Now I can.
“Nobody can say this exhibition is a bad thing. When fighters make comebacks, you never want to see your heroes being bashed up or hurt. In an exhibition, it’s controlled.
“You can see your heroes for one last time, showcase their skills, with the knowledge they won’t get hurt.
“With me, people who have struggled with their weight and depression, the shape of me now, the way I’m talking, how I’ve changed. I’m not ready for my pipe and slippers yet.
“It’s inspired a lot of people, I’ll hear the crowd roar again and share the ring with Marco, it’s a dream. I can’t see a negative thing about it.”
Hatton vs Barrera, November 12, Manchester Arena. Live on Sky Sports Main Event – Buy Tickets at https://www.hattonbarrera.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take you to learn how to box?
Boxing is one the oldest forms of martial arts. China was home to the first ever boxing match, which took place around 2200 BC. Since thousands of years, boxing is a well-known sport. Boxing is still a popular sport among celebrities and athletes. Boxing takes 10 months to master.
It is difficult to learn boxing because there are so many movements. Each movement requires specific muscles in order to be effective. It takes time to train these muscles.
However, once you know how to move your entire body, you can then start any type of boxing technique. Over time, each technique will become more difficult.
What are the benefits to learning how to box?
The following are reasons why you should learn how to box.
- It increases confidence. You will be able to confront bullies and other bullies by learning to box.
- It can improve your health. Boxing increases muscle mass. Muscle mass is what makes you stronger.
- It teaches you self defense skills. If you know how to fight, then you will be able to protect your self.
- It helps you develop your mental toughness. Mental toughness is important when you’re facing challenges.
- It gives you a sense of accomplishment. When you master a particular technique, it will make you feel like a true fighter.
- It’s fun! It’s fun!
- It’s cheap. You only need a pair boxing gloves and punching bag.
- It doesn’t need much space
How to protect yourself
Always defend your head when you’re being attacked. It is your goal to not get punched. To avoid being punched, you must learn how to stop an incoming punch. Here’s what you need to do:
- Keep your shoulders square and tall.
- Keep your elbows near your sides.
- Block the incoming punch using your forearm.
- Counterattack immediately.
- Continue blocking until the attacker runs away.
- Never give up on your defense.
Is it possible to learn boxing?
Yes, you can train yourself to box. Find a local boxing gym and sign up for a class. Most gyms offer free classes, but if you don’t see one nearby, you can always look up local boxing clubs on Google.
You’ll also need some equipment like gloves, mouthpiece, headgear, and sparring partners. Once you have everything you need, you can practice your kicks and punches.
Statistics
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
External Links
boxandflow.com
amazon.com
- Amazon.com: Ringside Diablo Wrestling Boxing Shoes : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
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How To
Here are the Essential Skills of Boxing
How to box efficiently
Boxing has become a very popular sport. It consists of two opponents who try to knock out each other’s head. Each country has its own rules. There are generally three types of boxing: Amateur, Professional, and Olympic.
Amateur boxing is often practiced at school, college, or university. This type of boxing includes sparring sessions with padded gloves and without any protection. Usually amateur boxing competitions consist of three rounds of five minutes each. There are many types of amateur boxing: Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Taekwondo.
Boxing professionals are usually trained in clubs, gyms, or stadiums. They use protective equipment, such as mouthpieces, nose guards, shin protectors, elbow pads knee pads, waist belts and groin protectors. Professional boxing competitions have six rounds that last four minutes each. There are many styles to professional boxing.
Olympic boxing is practiced at the Olympics. International standards dictate that boxers must wear protective gear. The competition lasts for eight rounds, each lasting three minutes. Olympic boxing has only two styles, Light Flyweight vs Heavyweight.
Boxing’s fundamental skills are:
- Punching techniques
- Guarding techniques
- Footwork
- Stance
- Move your body
- Defense
- Combination
- Rotation
- Sparring
Punching Techniques
There are seven types of punches available: Left Hook and Right Hook, Cross, Cross, Straight, Underhand, Overhand, Cross, Straight, Cross, Straight, Cross, Straight, and Overhand. Each punch comes with its own technique. Some punches require more force than others. An example of this is an uppercut, which requires tremendous force. A straight punch on the other side requires less power, but is more effective than other punches.
There are also different combinations. These are combinations of punches that work together to achieve a specific goal. A combination may have multiple parts. A combination may include multiple parts. For example, damage to the jaw of an opponent can be caused by a left hook and a right cross.
Guard Techniques
A boxer protects himself by using his body. He does this by using his legs, arms, elbows, hands, knees and feet.
Legs
Boxers should use their legs to defend against kicks. He raises his leg when he is hit with a kick and then moves away from the opponent. If the attack comes from the front, then he bends his knees to avoid being kicked on the side. If the attack is from the side, he will bend his knees to avoid being kicked on the side.
Elbows
Because they cause great pain, elbow strikes are extremely effective. An elbow strike can be delivered directly or indirectly. Directly means you hit your opponent directly with your forearm. While indirectly, it means you hit him with another section of your arm.
Hands
Boxers use their hands to block incoming blows. Boxers raise their fists to block incoming blows and then move in the direction of the attacker’s attack. The attacker’s fist is then in their face.
Knees
A boxer should bend his knees in order to absorb any blows to his stomach, abdomen, chest or stomach. Knee strikes can be used to defend yourself.
Feet
If he is being attacked, a boxer must take a step back and counter-attack. He can then gain distance from his opponent. Also, boxers must maintain their balance while delivering counter-attacks.
Stances
In order to box effectively, a boxer needs to establish a stance. His stance determines how he defends himself. It determines where he will face his opponent and how he will position his body. Boxers can take many different stances. These are the most popular:
- Low stance
- High stance
- Southpaw stance
- Western stance
Move your body
To win a fight, a fighter must move around the opponent. This means changing your speed, position and rhythm.
Rotation
Boxers rotate their arms when they throw a punch. Different types of punches require different speeds for the rotation.
Combinations
The timing of each individual punch affects the effectiveness or failure of a combination. A combination of strong and weak punches will produce a good result.
Spares
Sparring is a form of boxing that aims to improve your skills. Sparring allows a boxer to improve his mental and physical skills. The purpose of sparring is, in short, to learn how fight and not get hurt.
You need to have patience and dedication in order to learn how boxing works. To become a better boxer, you must train hard and for a long time.
