Hatton gets training green light

Ricky Hatton
12 April 2012

Ricky Hatton is ready to embark on a career as a trainer after being granted his licence by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The popular former two-weight world champion announced his retirement from the ring this summer with a view to concentrating solely on his other interests in the sport.

While his promotional company is already up and running and among Britain's strongest, Hatton is also keen to take an even more hands-on role and is now free to don the trainer's pads after being given the green light by the authorities.

The 32-year-old has also been given back the second's licence he lost last year after allegations of cocaine use while battling depression.

"The board have shown great faith in me by handing back my second's licence and giving me a trainer's licence for the first time," he said. "It means they are putting their trust in me to go in a corner with a boxer and look after his welfare."

Hatton, who will continue to work assisting veteran trainer Bob Shannon at his own gym in Hyde for the time being, had to come through various tests to regain his second's permit at the weekend to allow him to work in fighters' corners.

"I have been in the gym helping Bob's fighters and that was the whole purpose of deciding to take a trainer's licence," he said. "I left school when I was 16 years old and apart from fitting a few carpets badly for my dad, the only job I have had is boxing. I am dedicated to being a trainer as much as I was being a fighter because boxing is a hard game and you only get once chance.

"I have got that little spring in my step and I hope it won't be long before future champions start knocking on my door asking me to train them.

"I am fully on board running my businesses, but my office has always been the boxing gym and that is where I give my best advice.

"It makes sense to go into coaching because I am involved in the game I love. It was hard to come to terms with retirement, and boxing is the best feeling in the world, but the next best thing is throwing punches for one of your fighters."

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