Hatton Camp Labels Freddie
Roach Story as "Absolute Nonsense"
by
John "Johnny" Martinez
Photo: Mary Ann Owen
June 4, 2009
(JUN 4) Boxing websites and forums are
buzzing with activity regarding trainer extraordinaire, Freddie Roach,
and whom he may be training next.
In a story carried by Eastsideboxing.com, but originally posted on
Ringtalk.com, James Slater writes that Manny Pacquaio’s trainer, Freddie
Roach, is set to become the newest instructor for Manchester, England’s
Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.
I spoke moments ago with Hatton’s manager, Paul Speak, on the matter and
he said “There is no truth in the rumor”.
Mr. Speak said that he was informed of the rumor this morning from a
colleague named Craig Gibson. Gibson runs the official Ricky Hatton
website and both thought the story should be corrected.
After talking with Paul Speak, I phoned Gareth Williams to confirm what
Mr. Speak had told me.
Gareth Williams is the personal legal counsel to the former world
champion, Ricky Hatton.
He empathically denied the tale of Roach training Hatton.
“This is just absolute nonsense. Whom are they attributing these
resources to?”
Furthermore, he (Williams) echoed what Speak informed me of, that the
return of “The Hitman” has not been cemented.
“He certainly has not approached Freddie Roach to train him because he
hasn’t made any decisions as to whether or not he is even going to
continue to fight.”
As a matter of fact, according to Speak, Hatton is on a family vacation
and won’t return until early next week.
But fight fans should not anticipate an announcement regarding Hatton’s
future so quickly after his return from the holiday.
“He is going to take a lot of time, maybe some weeks, possibly months,
to decide what he will and wants to do with his future,” said Speak.
