Hatton Has Only Put On 7lbs In Weight!

Ricky has fans in stitches

Dianne Bourne
4/ 2/2008

THERE was a hero's welcome for boxer Ricky Hatton as he entertained hundreds of guests at a glitzy tribute dinner in Manchester at the weekend.

The Hitman, looking tanned and relaxed after jetting home from a South African safari holiday, had guests in stitches with his trademark witty anecdotes after a slap-up dinner at the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate.

Ricky was joined by pals including Bolton comedy star Patrick McGuinness, with a new closely-cropped hairdo, ex-Liverpool footballer Jason McAteer and entertainer Joe Longthorne among the 500 guests cramming into the Hilton's grand ballroom.

He entered the ballroom to a standing ovation and chants of "Only One Ricky Hatton" before taking his place at the top table, alongside former world boxing champ John H. Stracey.

The night had been arranged last year as the first big welcome home event for Ricky and his fans after his defeat by Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in December.

Event organiser, showbiz promoter Mickey Martin, said: "Ricky was tremendous as ever. He brought the house down - and who else would get grown men and women all dressed up chanting `We Love You Ricky'.

"He talked about how proud he was to be a Mancunian when he was fighting out in Las Vegas, and I think he's such a credit to boxing and to the people of Manchester."

A video showing Ricky from a young tot, through his kung-fu years and right up to his last fight in Vegas was shown on the night.

Blues fan Ricky revealed that he'd put on 7lbs since the bout, but told fans that it would take him "no time" to get back in trim for his next fight against one of four possible top boxers - planned to be at his beloved City of Manchester Stadium on May 24 - as revealed in Friday's M.E.N.

Compere Vince Miller said: "He told fans a story about getting to the tenth round of his fight in Vegas when Mayweather put him down, and he said he looked up and the arc of the light looked blue. He said he thought he was back home in bed with his blue duvet, and it made him jolt up thinking he was asleep and that he was late for training.

"He had everybody in stitches."