b'I cant believe Im fighting in the same place as the starsRicky Hatton stared out of the windowtimes, Billy Graham, Hattons trainer, said.McCulloughs friendship with HattonThus, with Vegas the venue, Saturdays of his suite in Caesars Palace and theIm a lot older and so the real place forgoes back to 2003, when they werebout has the feel of a coronation. Kayes, a history started to click in. Directly belowme is Madison Square Garden, where Alibilleted together during a BBC filming offormer professional body-builder, has been was the old parking lot where the ringfought Frazier. But Vegas is Rickys dream,Superstars, so as soon as he heard thatto Vegas about 50 times, mostly for body-used to be erected for many of the classicalways has been.Hatton was boxing in Vegas, he offeredbuilding events. But this times clearly a bouts of yesteryear, the ones that hadEleven years ago, when Hatton was 17the use of his gym. It was accepted, butbit different, he said. There were limos him hooked on the sport. Hagler andand he and Graham were new together,McCullough was bombarded with requestswaiting for us on arrival at the airport and Leonard - it was just there, he said.they used to sit drinking tea on theby people wanting to watch Hatton train.VIP treatment straight through the hotel. It You can imagine exactly where the ringsteps outside the gym, talking about theEveryones talked about Ricky overwas a bit of a strange experience. would have been. Its all coming floodingLeonards and the Durans and Vegas. Ihere but not seen him, McCullough said.Hatton remembers the first time he back to me.used to say to him, Well be there, Ricky,The Americans want more of him. Despitecame here, in 2001, as a punter to watch Marvelous Marvin Hagler against Sugarno doubt about it,Graham said. I dontwhats sometimes said, Americans do likeKostya Tszyu take on Zab Judah. The day Ray Leonard, the memorable but hugelyknow if he believed as much as me that itthe British and Irish fighters, but they haveafter the bout, he met Tszyu by chance, controversial WBA super-middleweightcould come true. Hatton is still pinchingto be able to fight and they have to havehad his photograph taken with him and contest in 1987 won by Leonard, thehimself that it has. I went out for a walkpersonality. Ricky ticks both boxes.announced to him that he would take him challenger: according to Hatton, this wasthe other night with Kerry [Kayes, hisIn my mind, Ricky is the best Britishon one day. Tszyu clearly did not know who the one contest that cast its spell on him.strength coach and nutritionist], walkedfighter ever in the history of the game. Buthe was. Roberto Duran was his favourite, though,past Paris with its Eiffel Tower stickinghes definitely going to be popular hereNow Hatton has notched Tszyus name and now Hatton is here in Las Vegas tryingout and I thought, I used to box at leisurebecause most of the fight fans are Mexicanon his unblemished boxing CV (41 contests, to come to terms with the concept thatcentres. Its amazing, Hatton said.- thats why they love Ricky.41 wins), his own name is up on The Strip those dreams he treasured all those yearsHe has long anticipated how thisThat is also why Marco Antonio Barrera,and, down at the Top Rank gym for 15 ago are being fulfilled; that, like his heroes,amazement will sit with his parents and theone of the Mexican greats, invited Hattonrounds of training on Saturday, he rubbed he will be in Fight Town topping the bill.huge tribe of friends following him here thisto carry his WBC super-featherweight titleshoulders with Muhammad Alis daughter, Last week it was not hard to missweek. These are people who all rememberbelt into the Vegas ring when he boxedLaila, and invited her to his bout. him. The city was devoting itself to theme fighting in working mens clubs, or myhere in September. But it goes farther back,Hatton takes all this in with a glance at Consumer Electronics Show (140,000first pro fight at Widnes Leisure Centre,to Duran, a Panamanian who fought like athat famous Caesars parking lot below - and attendees, 2,700 exhibitors) and then theplaces like that, he said. When they seeMexican and was adored by them for doingtrademark self-deprecation. If someone Adult Entertainment Expo (340 exhibitors,my name up in lights, it makes me feelso. For, of those greats whom Hatton grewhad said to me when I first laced on a pair of 250 actors and actresses). No prizes forproud to know how they are going to feel.up idolising, Durans is the style to whichgloves that in 18 years time Id be staying in Caesars and topping the bill in Las guessing which was attended by Hatton andYou get the impression that Vegas willhis comes closest.Vegas, Id have thought they were stupid, his entourage, but now he is the headlinebe thrilled to have Hatton, too. At leastHatton finally met Duran at ahe said. act. It is his face that is up on the massivethat is the view of Wayne McCullough, thesportsmens dinner in Newcastle andI cant believe Im fighting in the same video screen outside the Paris Las VegasNorthern Irishman who came here to trainthey proceeded to share their mutualplaces where the stars did. Vegas is the Casino and Hotel. Hatton versus Juan14 years ago and has not left. McCullough,appreciation in a local lap-dancing club.entertainment capital of the world. Look Urango for the IBF lightweight title on36, is hoping for a bout soon and in hisDuran was crazy about him, saying howat this week. Youve got Barry Manilow, Saturday - or, as the promotion is dubbingprivate gym in a Vegas suburb he works outgreat a fighter he is, Graham said. Rickyyouve got Cline Dione, youve got Tom the contest: Total Domination.enthusiastically, his wife, Cheryl, holdingtold him that he was a legend and DuranJones, and now youve got Ricky Hatton. Weve talked about this so manythe pads.told him, You will be, too. Daft as it sounds, thats the fact.THETIMESTuesdayJanuary162007 3WCSport 65Rugbyunion BDOpairconfirm ReadOwenSlotonHattonsMARCASPLAND departuretoPDC Dust-upinthedesert build-uptothebigfightRFU moves DartsJelleKlaasenand left timesonline.co.uk/sportMichaelvanGerwentheBDOforthePDChaveandhaveenteredtheStanJames Viva Las Vegas: Hatton top of the bill andPlayersChampionship,whichto reassure beginsinGibraltaron toSaturday. havechosenplayfortheI PDCbecausetheyareamoreprofessional money on top of the world for date with destinyorganisationwithmoreandmoretournaments,clubs as it Klaasensaid. beenVoortjoinedandby OwenSlot PHOTOGRAPHS:MARCASPLANDTheyhaveVincentvanderMervynKingisexpectedtoannouncehismovethisweek. saysthattheseeks new Patriotsprogress the BritonishappyAmericanfootballTomBrady,thequarterback, tobeseeingNewEngland that leda starsintheconsensus 72-yarddrive Patriotsendedonwith boxingcapitalStephenGostkowskisgoalasgame-winningfieldDiego to oftheworldtheybeattheSanChargers24-21toadvancetheAFCChampionshipgame,professional isnowwasand much inwhichtheywillplaythe RickyHattonstaredoutofthe Hotel. Hatton versus JuanWAndrewhopesfor worsethanitgame some IndianapolisColtsonSunday. windowofasuiteinCaesars UrangofortheIBFlightweightpositiveoutcome ofthedifficult inforthesomereportpeoplewere Donaldontheup Palace thehistorybelowstartedwas titleonSaturday or,things clickandin.Directly promotionisdubbing theascon-thequite totogettheirheadsround,he theoldparkinglotwheretheWUniondismisses said.Im moreoptimis- GolfLukeDonaldhas ringusedtobeerectedfor test:WeveTotaltalkedDomination.aboutthissomischievousreport ticabout muchwholeinto process become moved topplayer manyofthetheclassicones boutshadof manytimes, Graham,alotnow.Wecanthetake account againandEuropes upfrom yesteryear, that Hattonstrainer,Billysaid.ImDavidHands whatwehavelearntinthelast tenthtoseventhintheworld him hooked on sport. olderandsotherealplaceRugbyCorrespondent tenyears. rankingsafterhe Haglerand theitwas meisMadison Garden,forhas runner-upatthe finishedOpenjoint just Leonard can whereAlifoughtSquareFrazier.ButSonyRarelyhas RFU so ThetoRFUtryto beenfencesworkingwith inHawaii.Donaldwasbeaten there,exactlyhesaid. ring VegasisRickysdream,alwaysconciliatory. soundedit thePremiershipclubs wouldhave whereYouthetheYesterday, laid hard mend afterthe byoneshotbyPaulGoydos, imagine been.Itsallcom- hasbeen.downthetimetableforthe courtactionoflast in ofthe floodingbacktoUnitedorStates.Ireland,Padraigslipped ingMarvelous me.Hagler tonEleven 17yearsago,andwhenGrahamHat-projectitcallsTheWayFor- particular summer,whoin Harrington, toninth. againstSugar Marvin the were was andhe theyusedward, which Rob Andrew werecriticalwithofLeicester,theunion fromseventh RayLeonard, newtogether,describedaspieces ofthemost theirannualtookreportthe lastyear. UllrichDNAtest memorable hugelycontro- tositdrinkingteatalking stepssignificant one ofworkthe TheRFU unusualstep versial WBAbut super-middle- outsidethe ontheaboutRFUhasundertakenforthe of Leicestershare- weight won the gym,andtheDuransstructureofthe[professional] writingtotodenyall thecriticism CyclingADNAspecimen Leonardcontest,thechainle1987 accorbyd- andVegas.IusedtosaytoLeonardsholders nger:gameinEngland. and,theclubtoldthoseshare- fromJan ingtoHatton,thiswastheone him,Wellholdersthisweek,legalaction Tourde Ullrich,winner,the1997willbe contestthatcastitsspellon doubtaboutbeit,there, Ricky,said.noofAndrew, wasthreatenedagainsttheclub France samples I if Grahameliterugby,thewasunionsmatcheddirectorby compared heFrancis the execu- ourstatements seizedinatoraidbloodonaMadrid Whentheyseemy dontasknowmethatit believedcomeastive.WeBaron,cantcomechiefupwitha andWespecificstandofficers.by cliniclastApril,German nameupinlights, true.Hattonisstillpinchingmuch couldfudgedcompromise, and fair prosecutorssaidyesterday. himself has.donethattoooften,weBaronhave believeofthemapointtoofbeviewa on Spanishauthoritieswillhand itmakesmeproud forawalkthattheit other Inight HailCaesars:Hattonrelaxesinhishotelsuitebefore,below,lookingforwardtoSaturdaysboutagainstUrangoinLasVegasexpression wentwithoutsaidofanexercisethat,ifit someofthechallengesfacing overoneofthebagsoffrozen Kerry [Kayes, strengthshouldfindtheoverallsupport theclubandtheRFU,Peter blood, up to 57 alleged him. coachandwithnutritionist],his walked cameherenottotrainMcCullough, wasadoredof bythem doing bitdifferent,hesaid.for There rubbeAlisdshodaughter,theRFUclearlyhopesitwill, dopinglinkedof to thecyclists. Robertothough,Duranandwasnowhis pastParis itsEiffelTower andhas left. 14yearsago so.For, thosegreatsfor whom werelimoswaiting uson mad ulderswithLaila,Muhaandm-favourite,couldbebroughtseason,intoeffectas Bichelreturns Hatton toiscomehereinLasVegas stickingout at Ithought,I 36,is in hopingforaboutsoon Durans styletowhich treatmentstraightthroughthe Hattonhertakesto allbout. inwithaHatton grew up idolising, arrivalattheairportandVIP invited hisearlyasnext overtak- 10 trying that totermswith usedtobox andleisuresaid.centres. and hisprivategyminouta hiscomesisclosest.the hotel.Itwasabitofastrange glanceatthat this Caesarsingthe existing Long-Form theconcept thosedreams Itsamazing,Hatton Vegassuburbheworks famousAgreement, ofclubs a CricketAndyBichel, hetreasuredall haslonganticipated enthusiastically, his wife, Hatton Duran experience. parking trade-theprofessionalwhichgame.regulates Numbernewspaper formerAustraliaseamthebowler, arebeing thosethat,yearslikeagohis thisHeamazementwillsitwithhowhis Cheryl,holdingthepads. a finallydinnermet inNew-at Hattonremembersthefirst marksellot precationand.Ifsome-Sunday thatclaimed fulfilled; sportsmens f-debelowwasintheunions wouldformarevolutionary will Essexforthe heroes,hewillbeinFight parentsandthehuge McCulloughs friendship castleandtheyproceededto timehecamehere,in2001,asa onehadsaidtomewhenIfirstthatIt theinterests second herecions itshouldallay the suspi- newSuperLeague Headdown:CoheniseagertoplayforEnglandagaindespitethelackofconsiderationshown returnhalfwhoofto nextseason. Town weekit the hardto friendsfollowinghim tribethisof withHattongoesbackto2003, sharetheirmutualappreciation puntertowatchKostyaTszyu lacedonapairofglovesthatinraisedamong Guin- Bichel,36, hada Lasttopping wasbill.not week.Thesearepeoplewho when they were billeted inalocallap-dancingclub. takeonZabJudah.Theday 18yearstimeIdbestayinginnessPremiershipclubsbyan Tom,thechairman,andPeter three-month the miss itself citywasdevot- all in together so he Duranwascrazyaaboutfighterhim,he afterthebout,he Tszyuby LasVegas,andtoppinghavethethoughtbillin2006,spellreplaceswith him.toThethe remembermensmeclubs,fightingor Superstarsduring, aasBBCsoonfilmingas hismetphotograph CaesarsarticleinaSunday It newspaper Wheeler,thechiefexecutive, Cohen fed upafter finding countyin theSouthDanishAfrica ing Adult ConsumerElec- working fight at they my of that he Hattonwasboxing sayinghowgreat a Rickytold chance,had he andannounced theywere Id hesaid. thethatBarondescribedaspure AndreNel, tronics first pro Widnes heard is,Grahamsaid. takenwithhim stupid,mischief-making. contend- said.WearepleasedtheRFU fastbowler,inJune. ees,2,700Showexhibitors)(140,000andattend-then Leisure Centre, places like inVegas, offeredtheuseof himthathewas legendand tohimthat wouldtakehim IcantbelieveImfightingedthateightofthe12Premier- havechosentodrawaline Kaneria, spinner, the exhibitors, Expo that,hesaid. inWhen itmakessee hisgym.Itwas bombardedbut Duran toldhim,Youwillbe, onone clearlydid starthesdid. is ePakistanall in sameplaceswheretheEssex Entertainment250 wasaccepted, knowday.whoTszyuheshipclubswouldbeoverlooked undertheannualwe reportissues out his England fate on TV willbewith season. (340 actresses).No actors mynameup lights, how McCullough bypeoplewant- too. withVegasthevenue, not name was. notched ment Vegofas thworld. Barryascentresofexcellenceinthe and,likewise, havechosen and prizesfor mefeelproudtoknow withrequests Thus, Now the enterLooktain-attended towatch thiscapitalfuture,butAndrew,whowas nottopursuematters. Thomas, Sagapenalised guessing wasentourage, they tofeel. that ingEveryones Hatton Saturdays thefeelof Tszyus Hattononhashisunblem- at week.Youvegot ClineHattonwhichand Youaregetgoingthe talkedtrain.about acoronation.boutKayes,has aformer ishedboxing Manilow, gotdirectorofrugbyjoiningatNewcastle theBaronchairmanandMartyn the RFU MarkSouster returnforNorthamptoninthe autumn.I lot SailingAfault by he his act. Vegaswill impression have Rickyoverhere seen professional has 41wins), CVname(41contests, Dione,youveyouvegotTomJones,Falconsbefore said: theRFU management of the HeinekenCupwinoverthe competition onSaga withforcedautopilotsSir but isnow face isthat headline the Hatton,too.beAtthrilledleastthatto isthe him, butsaid.not The beentoVegasbody-builder, TheStriphisand,owndownat isupon and now youve got Rickyin board, knowforthereplaces,isabut ofI Insurance It his the isupon McCullough about50times, theToptopSeptember, absoluTheytelyno[the twoLeicesterofficialsmetandSir BenCohenhaspledgedtowin BordersatMurrayfieldonSun- want playintheWorldCup RobinKnox-Johnstonbackto massivevideo viewof Americans ofhim. mostly body-building Rank 15roundsof Hatton. asitsounds,thatsclubs]have th- DigbyJones, backhisEnglandplacebefore day.Butfindingoutfromthe asmuchto asanyone. Fremantle,WesternAustralia, theParisLasVegas theNorthern Despitewhatswantsometimesmore said, events.Butforthistimesclearlya gymonfor Saturday, he thefact.Dafttofear. screenCasinooutsideand WayneIrishmanMcCullough,who trainingingAndrewsroleiscritical.The boardmember aatnon-executive theWorldCupdespitebeing televisiondoesnthelpandyou To ease Northamptons lessthan hoursafterthe Americansdolikethetheclub,last the2414,000-mile andIrishfighters,butBritishtheyformerEngland to halfspent month.Therift,iftherewas discardedfromBrianAshtons donotknowwhereyoustand. injurycrisis,Cohenplayedat startof theVelux5 havetobetoablehavetopersonality.fightand Witterathomeinfameacademythefirsttenyearsflyofprofession- one,is Thomas squadforthe Six wasnamed outside the of secondalrugbybattling createan said. beingRFUhealed,isnotinterest- Championship, RBSa Nationshe theCohen,second-stringwho Saxonsin the centreandin willdefeatdoso Oceanslegsoloofround-the-world theyhaveThe decision BorderseliteclubinthetheNorthbaggageEast;he edinclubs. thePremier- Cohen,aboutwhoonhastelevision.enduredhis landsautumninternationals, againinBiarritz poolgame race.Heformustreceivingserveaoutside Rickyticksbothboxes. isthe RonLewis venue in September, said. casterandRotherham,Witterdoesnotcarry of ship damaging learnt squad,playedinalfourofEng- against thefinalatFranklins penalty 48-hour Inmymind,Rickywhohavebeenatloggerheads tionsfromPRL,theProfession- sionallyandpersonallyduring land,buthasmissedthelast Saintsneeding alosing historyofthegame.everButin hes arereallyI givingall100the per said.Certainly a ItsmanyofthoseRFUcolleagues Adraftreport,withcontribu- shareofknocksbothprofes- scoringatryagainstNewZea- GardensonSunday,withthe helpandrestarttomorrow. bestBritishfighter the JuniorWitterhasbegunto Whenspar, othercent.guysIf peoplenoticemenow.lot moreallwithPremierRugbyLtd(PRL), alRugbyPlayersAssociation hislongcareer, fiveweekswith upaforshoulder ing one ttoguonly efinish- Peterhanselleads definitely bethepopularfight noticethedistinctionWitterofbeing theylandashot, Illnever nice,butIdontliveforit. thehavesaidlosthehiswasplacedis- best makesa abouttheyit.the ktodayumbrella treprethatsenta- andFirstDivisionRugby,will appointedto madeworse injury.Iamall beating bonasuspoinofgroup.two aranterunners- MotorrallyingStphane herebecausegoingmostto of thatswhy worldchampion. ofhisWBC stopgoing I on eight say, Keepinghispopularityatweeclubs wilmeebody gobeforetheRFUcouncilon again,asituation mychestandplayingforEng- upintheir fansareMexican thefirstdefence But landed punches, gymthatproducedtwootherlight-welterweighttitle buttheywontcarebecause worldchampionsinNaseemcommissionedby otherinterestedparties. bythe ofanyone con- talked 99fortheclubandPaul PeterhanseltookofthetheleadDakarin ThatloveisRicky.also Mexico,againstatativesof a LEK,thetheconsultants February9andthereafterAcon-to the failurehierarchyhim to from land,butsometimesyouhegetsaid.fed toCohenstwotriestookhim theninthstage asGiniel they Barrera, why Marco ArturoMorua,of North theylandedashotonaworld HamedandJohnnyNelsonEnglandprovide database RFUcom-to sultationpackwillbeavailable tacthimtolet knowhis upInothaventbeing heardto,anything Grayson,theheadcoach,has RallyinMauritania Antonio oneofthe Alexandra Palace, champion. remains important. Whenmercialwelbeingofor f ofession- byMarch10fordebatebythe fateorexplainwhy.ForCohen, fromanyone.Idontknow everysympathyforthewings deVilliersandCarlosSainz Mexicangreats,invitedHatton London,on to tohis Juniorhasbrought in,al prthe whole game wasparticularly whatIhave wrongor predicament. were outofthe to Saturdaytotheandotherhas FameThereisnotwaslikelya gorecep- alltheotherswanttohisgetbeltalookrugby.yearsago,Andrewpro- intendstomakeanditsfinthealrecRFU thatIcan I accepta galling.deci- whatIhavetodonedoto I tryand areasonas Iftoyouwhyareyouregiven the forcedPeterhanselheads carrytitlehisWBCintosupether-feVegasather- becomeatahisherogymdefinitelyinSheffield.more head. fortown]mein I civic [his at it, Dominic NazIngle,[Hamed]hisSix om- coachs reckoning. weight belt boxers tion Bradfordchange the the Andrewis willpro- that theoffgameaboutof oneforblowingmy amtrum-not Butafterthatshisperformancesin minutes,ahead Luc September.Butitgoesherefartherin are home and washon- trainer,said.Allducedareportonstructural mendations by June 30. If sion. at amnotp***ed winbackmyplace. own dropped, OK,hesaid. fieldbyalmostof eight ringwhenheboxed eyesThereonme,whateverIdo, ouredbyBradfordBulls,Brad- usedtodo andRFUthatat was behestignored.of videa correct,forit thenext rugby, all.theThat28-year-oldis petbutIwasprobablyoneof theautumn,nottobetoldis Alphand,afellowFrenchman back,toDuran,aPanamanian Witter,whobeatDeMarcus fordCityandIwasinvitedon lookatmywasnewsay,car,Comeandthatwidely template onsaidhis the better players in the probablynotbestpractice. andMitsubishiteam-mate. whofoughtlikeaMexicanand Corleyforthetitleatthesame tothefootballpitchesatDon- gotboringquickly.The financial state of the decadeofprofessionalrugby. afterscoringtwotriespage 24'