Matthew Hurley: In the aftermath of Ricky Hatton’s loss to Floyd Mayweather on December 8th rumors began to fly that the ‘Hitman’ was splitting with longtime trainer Billy Graham. Graham, who usually keeps a bit of distance from his fighter immediately after bouts, was incredulous when he returned home to Manchester and was inundated with questions about his status as Hatton’s future trainer.. Hatton himself put the rumors to bed when he told television reporters that Graham was and will remain his trainer, but Graham, still seething, is now turning his anger toward remarks made by former Hatton promoter Frank Warren.
Warren, who bitterly split with Hatton in 2005, approved of the rumors surrounding Graham’s alleged dismissal saying that Hatton needs a new trainer. He also questioned Graham’s lust for the spotlight, which came to the forefront during HBO’s 24/7 series. Warren then went on to say that, “Graham is one of those guys who take the credit for the wins but not the responsibility for the losses.”
Graham, now on the warpath while Hatton slips into his post fight Guinness induced sloth, told the Sunday Mirror that he reckons Warren views Hatton through the eyes of a “jilted lover.”
“I always accept responsibility if my fighter loses because I am the man in charge. What Frank knows about tactics could be written on a postage stamp. He is a boxing promoter. I’ve lived with boxers day in, day out for years and, if I say it myself, my record isn’t bad.”
As for the rumors Graham says he has no idea where they came from but that he and Hatton are as tight as ever and are relaxing before scheduling Ricky’s return to the ring.
“I don’t know where the rumors about Ricky ditching me came from and he is adamant they are nonsense.”
Graham then adds, “But he did ditch Frank Warren. Now Frank sounds like a jilted lover. He just slags people off in his column and can’t take any criticism in return. It’s a bully-boy tactic but in reality he’s a wimp.”
Graham and Hatton are awaiting word from Oscar De La Hoya as to whether or not the ‘Golden Boy’ will provide them with the golden ticket for a mega-fight in April or, if that falls through, fighting a tune up before taking on someone like Paulie Malignaggi.
Warren, still reveling in his recent induction into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame as a promoter, is busy hyping rising lightweight contender Amir Khan, looking for a site to stage the David Haye – Enzo Maccarinelli cruiserweight unification bout and working to finalize a Bernard Hopkins – Joe Calzaghe fight.