**RICKY Hatton is all set to embark on a new career - as a stand-up comedian**

Ricky Ha-ha-Hatton!

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EXCLUSIVE Stuart Brennan
8/ 7/2008

RICKY Hatton is all set to embark on a new career - as a stand-up comedian.

But the Hitman intends to keep knocking 'em flat in the ring for at least another two years as well as knocking 'em dead with the gags which have made him one of the hottest tickets on the after dinner circuit.

The world light-welterweight number one begins a tour of small theatres next week, and is also lined up to star in a film alongside Johnny Vegas.

But the Hitman is pressing ahead with his clash with IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi in November, although the venue is now expected to be Las Vegas rather than New York.

Hatton has issued strict instructions to agent Paul Speak and business adviser and dad Ray Hatton that his comedy career should not interfere with his boxing commitments.

A summer tour of theatres in Stevenage, Southend, Bournemouth and Blackpool will come to an end before he returns to full-time training at the start of September 1.

Hatton was a close friend of Bernard Manning (left) before the fellow Manchester City fan's death last year, and has studied the comedy techniques of Manning and other top comedians.

Contrary to recent reports, Hatton is not set to retire after his next two fights - the clash with Malignaggi and a possible Wembley Stadium showdown with world number one pound-for-pounder Manny Pacquiao next summer.

Hatton has clarified that he intends to sit down and think about his future after those two fights, but he is expected to keep fighting until at least 2010.

Comedy

After that, he intends to carry on with the comedy, and also work as a boxing promoter and trainer, operating out of new premises currently being renovated in his home town of Hyde.

Speak says: "The stand-up tour came out of the fact that Ricky was in so much demand on the after-dinner circuit. Dates were selling out so quickly that people had to start finding bigger venues.

"He did a black tie dinner at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and there were 800 people there.

“But we are looking for a different audience now to make Ricky's act accessible to people who can't afford £100-plus for a sportsman's dinner.”

Hatton has been forced into a change of venue for his November clash with Malignaggi after discovering that Vegas would be a cheaper option for his loyal army of fans.

The date and venue are expected to be confirmed in the next few days, but either the MGM Grand – which hosted his clash with Floyd Mayweather in December – or Thomas and Mack Center are favourites.

The 29-year-old wanted to headline at Madison Square Garden, even if it meant conceding home advantage to New Yorker Malignaggi, but research by his advisory team found out that hotels and other prices in the Big Apple in November would have been a budget-buster for the thousands of supporters expected to make the trip.

Says Ricky: “I would have loved to have headlined at Madison Square Garden but it's about the cost for the fans.

“The fans made me who I am so they have to come top of the list when we are choosing venues.”

He also said he was misquoted in a report which said he would only have two more fights: “I said I want this Malignaggi fight and a big one at Wembley, and would then look at it.

“I am looking at two fights and will then re-assess the situation.”