b'ROUND 8Two sons in the ring in one night? I just wouldnt wish it on anyoneParental responsibility and the fightcalls Carols famous line. It is before thealways says: Its not a tickling contest. Butthat he is. First, family ties: the business game: the issue is in sharp perspectivestart of Matthews bout, when Carol firstit would be so awful to see either of thembelonged to Carols brother John and here in Las Vegas where the biggestsees Matthews opponent, that she deliversknocked to the floor. when he died of cancer five years ago, it upcoming fight of the year is not Rickyit: Ooh, hes big! she says. Do you thinkAll in - amateur fights and professionalwas deemed important to keep it going. Hatton versus Juan Urango tomorrow,hes bigger than our Matthew? - she has watched her boys in around 150Secondly, the Hattons are of working-class but further down the line, Oscar DeAt this stage, Ray says, Im thinking:bouts and yet, she says, It never getsstock and are adamant that wealth will not La Hoya versus Floyd Mayweatherpardon my French, but I could do withouteasier. She will sometimes go the gym tosever them from their roots.jnr, the catch being that Mayweathersthis. But then later, when Richard comes inwatch them spar yet even that makes herWe dont walk round with our noses father, a highly respected trainer, isto the ring, I know whats coming and Imfeel physically sick. in the air, Carol explained. And she is currently negotiating a fee to train Dethinking: please, please dont say it again.But so much for the sentiment, it isparanoid that anyone might think they do.La Hoya to beat his son. But sure enough: Hes bigger than ournot as if these two have taken a backwardBack to John: he never missed Rickys There are no such dilemmas for theRichard. Have you seen how big he is, Ray?role in developing their sons success. Rayfights and would drive all round the country Hatton parents, Ray and Carol, who arrivedAre they the same weight? himself was a professional footballer whoto support his nephew. After his death, here yesterday and give a pretty goodEven getting themselves though thehad reached the Manchester City reservesRicky dedicated his next victory to him. account of what it must be like for moreday as far as the boxing arena has beenat the age of 20 when a torn achilles robbedRicky and Matthew themselves remain straight-forwardly emotional people to bearhard enough. You cant eat, you cant dohim of his future. He has managed much oftightly bonded to the family unit. Matthew, witness to their boy making a living byanything, he said. We have gone out toRickys career, determined to see him reach25, still lives at home; Ricky, 28, lives close being hit repeatedly on the head. Except intry to eat, but then people come up andthe fulfilment that he himself was denied.enough to walk round for his evening meal.their case, it is not just one boy, Ricky, butsay: What do you thinks going to happen?The wisdom of the move remains to beIt is such tightness which makes the Matthew too. You cant put it into words,There are times when Ive had to leave theproven, but Ray was crucial in engineeringfight nights so hard. People say to me: I Ray said. He paused and then attempted totable. the boys split from their old promoter,bet youre looking forward to the fight, explain: I just wouldnt wish it on anyone. I see other parents at fights and youFrank Warren. Ray said. But no, what I cant wait for is Carol, meanwhile, is a majesticfor the fight to be over, for them both to The way they tell it is part comedy. Rayalways feel for them. You know whatpersonality. Three days a week, she cancome out unhurt.is pretty much teetotal so can take nothingtheyre going through. be found running the family carpet stall inSo great was the relief after Rickys last to calm himself. Carol sneaks vodka intoThe worst of all, Carol recalls, wasGlossop where people still double-take,fight in Boston - a very slim victory - that the fights in a water bottle; it used to beRickys bloody 12-round contest withsurprised that, with so much wealth flowingCarol was soon up on stage at the post-fight whisky but the colouring gave it away. Jonathan Thaxton. She also recalls Matthewinto the family through boxing, the day jobparty belting out a rendition of Dancing Ray sits there, a bag of nerves, heartMacklin, his stablemate, being knockedwould be necessary. Queen.in mouth, waiting for Matthew, whounconscious in September. As a Mum,The reasons reveal a lot about theWould Ricky approve? She laughed and invariably fights first, dreading what hehow would you cope? she asks. Richardvalues that have made Ricky the sportsmanthen answered: He doesnt have a choice.80 Sport3WC THETIMESFridayJanuary192007Dust-upinthedesert OSullivansteals Simon BarnesintolastfourProud parents discover that bouts SnookerAstubbornly 6-5attight-lippedinto RonnieOSullivanofedged thesemi-finalsMasterstheSAGAInsurancebybeatingKenDohertyof nerves just dont get any easier WembleyArena a yesterday. he JACKHILLLeading5-4, clear-cutwaspresentedwithDohertyMARCASPLAND opportunityforvictory,but Turning themissedastraightforwardred.OSullivan,givendispensationtoforgocontractedatthe mediacommitmentswillbeat Stephentournament, play hard menMaguire,who NeilRobertson6-2.EndforTavernOwenSlotfinds CricketSurreyare of planningof a of sport into40Britprovide developmentthe millionOvalsome theythehopethatwillpressurerisingin timetheystagethefinalTest teddy bearsworldsbestfacilitiesbytheLasVegasforMr SurreyTavernAshesbesideseries.theofthe2009 TheHobbsGateswillbereplaced.andMrsHatton Fullreport:beforeRickys the timesonline.co.uk/cricket to A ndsoit at goeson: MartinJohnson:uncompromisingyoucouldntoneloving findamoreworldtitleshot Loebsearlygains tributeafter athletethan isthat. yetanother,all alreadyhe beingAndMotorrallyingSbastien aimed aman remembered akindofParentalresponsibilityand Loebalaunchedhisattempt whoseveryname an loveablerogue,as amanwhodidsharp gain fourthconsecutive deliberatelychosenwasas afewfightgame:the isinVegas world winning affrontto naughtylovelythingsperson.butwasperspectivehereissueinLas essentiallywhere forthcoming thefirsttitlestageyesterday,oftheMonte society.Aliis65and Well,thereaarenodoubtareasMuhammadboutofthethebiggestyearisnotRicky CarloRally.Eagertoemulate heraldedacrosstheUnited oflovelinessinJohnsonslife,HattonversusJuanUrangoto- TommiMakinenthe andJuha States asaman butinsport,isthethatentirehe pointamorrow,butfurtherdownthe Kankkunen, Finns,who ofpeace.andButtheheworldwasfirstand ofJohnson wasbothhave foremostamanline,OscarMayweather Loebneededfourlittleworldtimetitles,to wasafighter conflict.toHe hard thisisnotareallyFloyd DeLaHoyaJr,versusthe whoofsought Butbastard.catchbeing adapttohisnewCitronC4. destroy opponentsandthe comfortable dealfather,ahighlythatrespectedMayweatherstrain- Hatton,right,comesfacetofacewithUrangolastnight.Everyoneofhisboutsispurgatoryforhismother,Carol,below society hislivedin. with.Inreality,conceptJohnsonto washeer,isnegotiatingafeetotrain goingtohappen?Thereare hasmanagedmuchofRickys mantthatwealthwillnotsever NewroleforBates Hechangedhisname themanwhonevertooka putDeThereare tobeat timeswhen career, see them Clayto heaconsidered backward GodaintomanwhoLaHoya nosuchhisdilemmasson. because be slave-name.CassiusHe thefearofstep,forthe parents,Ray thetable. Iveotherhadparentstoleaveat sonreachdetermined thathishe Wefromdonttheirwalkroots.roundwith TennisDavisJeremyCupBates,captain,the is wasamemberoftheNation opponentsandinspiredthosesee thefulfilmentto formerandCarol,Hattonwhoarrivedhere fightsandI youalwaysfeelfor wasdenied.Thewisdomofthe ournoses to ofIslam,whichbelievednotin aroundyesterday them. moveremainstobeproven,but plains.Andinshetheisair,paranoidCarolthatex- becometheinvolvedacademywithbasedWinat integrationandequality,but theirownhimabilities,toplaysobeyondaccountandofgivewhata itpretty Theworstofall,Carolre- Raywascrucialinengineering anyonemightthinktheydo. Tennis, Abbey, inseparatestates desperate theytowingood must Bishambe like for more straight- calls, was Rickys bloody theboyssplitfromFrankWar- Back to John: he never Buckinghamshire.Bates,who and formereblackssport, thebig wereapproval,toforwardlyemotionalpeopleto 12-round contest with Jon ren, formerpromoter. missed Rickys bouts and will thesenior he whites.toAndin and avoid mans exileofhispartcoach joinedplayersby sought humiliate disapproval.Hebear witness boy Thaxton 2000,recallsfor theirmeanwhile,Threeisadays would roundthecoun- Mark time,willbe Davis destroyhisopponents.outofJoestep before theterrible was Softtargets:itiseasiertodealwithsportingheroessuchasAli,Johnson,McEnroeandRadcliffebysentimentalisingthemmakingalivingtobytheirbeinghit theBritishintitle.October,Shealso ticCarol, majes-a try todrivesupportall his nephew. Cox,theformer Frazierremained helearntthatalso,personality.repeatedly inontheirthehead.itisnot Matthew stable- week,shefamilycanbefoundstallrun-in Afterhisnextdeath,victoryRickyto dedi- Cupplayer, bein withtheforUSsoandlongtheheworldcould self-controlwasastill failurethatonlythegreat he?Abitofatemper,yes,but todealwith. whodont easier ofthem,Except case, mate,beingMacklin,knockedhis uncon- ningthe carpet catedhis him. chargeofthewhojuniors.will because powerfulweapon,amanmoreofjustoneboy,Ricky,butMat- sciousinSeptember.Asa Glossopwhere dou- RickyandMatthewthem- neverforgiveAliforthe intemperateviolence.But performerscandealwith.And allthat compromise Peoplethemselves makingpartsalittlejoke bythethew, putitintowords, mum, wouldyoucope? ble-take,surprisedpeoplethat,stillwiththeso selvesremainunit.tightlyMatthew,bonded25,to Witterfocused insults casualin humiliations memoryplaysusfalse now,ashecontinueshis been pits-of-the-worldstuffhasand areunusual. with donttoreallydeal more folk of AndYoutoo.cant sheasks.howRichardalwayssays: muchwealthflowinginto thefamily hehandedand out his Johnsonhasnowbeenandgiven shadow-careerofmotivational cannot-be-serious ajoke. havethe We soourindigestible sportgentrifiedinto machinery historyparts.ofRaysaid.Hepausedandthen Itsnotaticklingcontest.But stilllivesathome;Ricky,28, BoxingJuniorWitterinsists wide-rangingandvindictive button-eyesandtwo coursesandpublic Rememberitforwhatit withthem. showsusathousandattemptedtoexplain:Ijust Atthisstage,Raysays,Im itwouldbeawfultoseeeither Carolsneaks livesclose evening to walk thathisHatton meanof excursionsinto ears;ateddywitha fluffyface, hecanmakethe by speaking,he was:atavisticrage,tornprimalfrom areAndsomeonesowepretendthatthey conquests,achievedlovely,byawouldnt on itispart thinking: I dowithoutmythis.French,But knocked the vodkaintobouts round is forhisenough meal. that Ricky constantdoesbarrackingnot gamesmanship. loved butsomehowallthe fierce deeplydeserves money scream,ananger soulbythe bitmorelike else.Someonea thousandglorious,Thewaywishtheyit tellanyone. but couldPardon ofAlltheminamateurto fightsfloor.and It such tightness thatheisunderestimating no:Alimust loveable more ateddy accepting the ofhis us.Wesoften button-eyed,Ray much e- then later, Richard professionalshe has inawaterbottle makesthe nights hard. ArturoMorua,the ButReducedbyhisbeinjuries Find forathat.greatsporting hisWerolefindas iteasierbear.todeal bottomcircumstancesof thembyemphasisingthe bears.Realityfurry-earedtotal prettynothing forhis toa and sporting elsewhere.teddycomedsoy. can istake teto comesintothewhenring,Iknow watchedherboysinabout150 Peoplesayfighttome:Ibetsoyoure whochallengeshimMexican now. shamblingshadow hero me I showyoua withateddy withthe terrible combat. isc C whats think- boutsandyet, says,It family boxing,theday looking tothefight, WBClight-welterweighttitle formerself,heisfreetoofbehis teddy. willnobody reality:amanthansodriventhat funnyatthetime,Ititwaswasnotkaalimnthoimthseeblfo. utasrionlsnweaatkesrvbo odt ing: comingpleaseanddontIm sayit nevergetseasier.she Shewill jobwouldthroughbenecessary. Raysays.forward at loved.Heis Theres processof 20yearsofunceasinglabour hideous,horrible,frightening;a Please, Butno, immunetothetle;it butthe again.Butsureenough:Hes sometimes tothegymto The reasons reveal a lot waitforisforthewhatfightItocantbe Alexandratomorrow.Palace,ImNorthunder dangeris safeAlinow.wasThea teddy-bearisation.SirSteve onthecruelandunforgiving reallyratherdisturbing.usedgavetobeitwhisky biggerthanourRichard.Have watch aboutthevaluesthathave over,forthembothtocome London, that fool, gone. man;in Redgrave turnedinto river Hehad McEnroecolouring there, away. bagof youseenhowbigheis,Ray? makes themgospar,physicallyyetevensick.that madeRicky,whoconteststhe outunhurt. noillusions Heshesdangerous.a deeplyanddangerousinthesocietyin aloveablehaseccentric.been His toseekweremorenottriumphsenough. to andamadwasbastard,ahardtoo.bastard,Raysits a herfeel Wittersaid. sport,who invariably boxesMatthew,first, AreEventhey getting as themselves ment, soismuchnotasforifthesetwo here he light-welterweightthesportsmantitle Rickyslastbout,inBostona Pereirodoubts Butnothenow.pursuedNowhishecanbe rowingafterAtlantaandhis crush, moreunending woman.So andhavewe Paulaanerves,waitingfor thesameweight? But thesenti- IBF Sogreatwasthereliefafter which sport. dramaticretirementfrom savour, Onemore, needit tomorrow, more opponentstoiltoto letsdreadingwhatItheiscallsCarols throughtheday farashard havetakenabackwardrolein that is.belonged ties: he slimvictorythatatCarolpost-was CyclingOscarPereiro, rewritten,revisedand Nowashadowof keepdespair not one. Radcliffe(towhombytheway)famousline. boxingarenahas the developingtheirsonssuccess. business First,familytoCarolsthe soonuponstage the sentimentalised. Anathletesatlifebay.is congratulations,startofMatthews beforewhenthe enough.Youcantbeeneat,you Rayhimselfwasaprofessional brother,John,andwhen fightpartybeltingoutarendi- TourdeFrancerunner-up,the of Aliisanextremeexample hisformerself,Ali necessarilyanenviable too andhermartyrdominAthens, Wake up to The Timesbout,Carol shefirstdeliversseeshisopponent,hes cantdoanything,hetrysays.to footballerwhoCityhadreachedthe diedofcancerimportant tionWouldofDancing She asthmadrugpositive therace, whatwedowithourgreat isfreetobeloved Failureistooreal.tooIt close, hercollapseandbreakdownAfewin Get The Times and The Sunday Times that it:Ooh, Wehavegoneoutto Manchester reservesat wasdeemed fiveyearstoago,keepit RickyQueenapprove?. twicetested during foran sporting Wedonot tangible, always has theOlympicmarathon.big!shesays. youthink eat,butthen ageof0 orn itgoing. theHattons laughsand answers:He accordingtoLe , seemto heroes.tounderstand consolationsthatmostofus weekslatersheoutpsyched, delivered to your door hesbiggerthanDoourMatthew? andsay:Whatpeopledoyoucomethinksup therobbed 2him tfuture. areworkingSecondly,classandareada- doesnthavethenachoice. French MondeIt thethat them.It want easierto subsequent,finaland couldneverdreamabout,but outlastedandoutranSusan Whether its the weekday papers, the weekend, or les whofenhisa AchHeil- newspaper. said isfartheSpanishriderbutwasthatallowed sentimentalise has desperate tocampaignhavebeen theway thembearisa to Chepkemeiinastirringtousethedrug becomeAmericasthem.teddyAli bear, reduced ataleof roadfewtoofreachuscould intheNewYorkMarathon.duel both you want, well ou can ha nd a delivve yery option that suits your paper delivered in ou. Movingintoupperreacheswithsomestraighttalking Francesanti-dopingagency aloveableproofofthe stands sweet-natureddaftness. hard tread.Easy,thenessential, Teary-eyedPaula,naturalthefrail, Just one call and ydidnotbelievethatthewaiver nationsgreatness.Ali ButRedgravewasa thento lovely,floating talent,wasmedicallyjustified. fortheneedforthe sporting bastard,too.SomeGreatcansportsmen dealing We findthesomepeoplewayweof isalsoashardabastard time for breakfast. Well organise eou need tverything diro do is ectly with with your local newsagentall yteddy-bearisationof alwaysare. admire. more evertookpartinprofessionalas add the usual delivery charge.OwenSlot Reporter boutwithanewphysiothera- tonhadbeencarryingsucha Inthepast,thisproblem see his Roseblooms heroes byextension,of thepersonaofhard assumeat likeus.We makethemthem the sport.Butitsevenmore a Call our Homelink Service free (quoting 23) on:ChiefSports clear disadvantage into the resultedinnagginginjurieshasin CosgroveManchester.at clinicItsin GolfJustin all It heroes.and, will,othersmustwearbastarditmost hardbastard make soften turn difficulttodealwithsuch 0800 294 4160 Atherton,LasVegas pist,BeforeStuartlinkingCosgrove.upwithCos- ring.I ave ticedmy- training.Insparring,if been quite painful, is ofthetime.Redgraveworked commonplace.We and thinginawoman,sogrove,Hattonwasunableto self shomyuldharms nowerenot has missed a Hattonthe said,becauseheshadHatton formontheRose finethe withthenoUS.goodWegettingdoit crossas inapassionatefury,partlyin itintoa within mustbe she,astoo,the (lines open 9am-8.30pm Mon-Fri)that punch, togo secondwasdayin of just teddy. sentimentalisedRickyHattonhasatospecialthe new straighten straight, Icantexplains.He inabilityofthecaused toextend pastthepainbarriertostretch BobHopeChrysler in wellinthiscountry.Ithinkit revengeforaworldthatjoyhadthat AnotherEvenexample:beforeJohnhe blondegazelleofMiddleweapontotake ring oftraininghisonarms.heavyThepunch-years saidtome:Hatton believethat, fully has arm it to them. California.SwitchingClassicfrom isahuman,ratherthana slightedhim,partlyin McEnroe. England.againstJuanUrangoinLas bagshadshortenedthemus- youmustbelosingtwoinches strain.Thiswasonereason Theproblemhasnotyet BermudaDunestotheLa nationaltrait:torender hehad excelin, becameanastuteandwitty ThethingaboutgreatVegastomorrow:hehaslonger clesinhisinsideforearm the onyour Hattonstartedworkingwith been resolved,but Quintacourse, heroestoothless,cuddly,great andpartlysomething at televisionpersonality,hewas sportingheroes,orarms. extentthatat65inches, towas Heasked:reach.HowItslongsincredible.itbeen Cosgrove. atthiscompletely estimatedthat followeduphistheopening26-year-old67 castrated; opponents fromfuryto they beingsoftened.Heisgreatly achieversinanywalkgreatoflife,ishe stageitisBizarreas 15 centshortofcomplete like Andhe His hisreach improved with seven-under-par65and bears bearsmenace, couldoutdowhohim.believed belovedthesedays,his thattheydontfitcomfortablywithout withoutbearsclaws,Hattons thishasmaygenuinelysound, perextension. tosaythat?sixweeksorexpected been new,addedextendedbonus.reachBeforehas inch.Slowlyhas butsurelybywithan on without sport tantrums matterfor into ofour E ith the relevant newsagent ro rw hhoemreetdheelrive eisry n aog deenlti.v Heroyw seevrveirc, ein a vsoaimlaeb leca, swesereach arm something.meI anbeen ter he this, said:Seven Theyjust heleft Vegas, each we 12aunderScottwasVerplank,astrokethe Letusballs. takingheroes anRedgravebroughtforto victory Hedoesitahimself:coo,joking. theThecivilisedthingsplacesthatmake wvheerryeetfhfoer at gweniltbcaen mnaotd ed etloi vpelra dceu ee atcoh c oirrcduemr swtances beyond their control oextenindethedaflead-up CoWhen wasadiscovered Hat- dontgostraight.years. hadbeenforgoingLas frequentlyHattonto want fight,toHattongetbetter.said, behind moreor start atrandom. and atavistichunger terrorof hewasabitofaone, yes, minds. exceptionalarenoteasy wil inform you within 48 hours. Delivery charges may vary betwen agents.tensively workitongthisex- sgrove mazedthat them newleader. less theprofound wasnt themRoll End Carpets, Glossop Market. Thursday 4th January, 2007, 2.41pm. How time flies when you are having funpage 41'