Product Description

When Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton stepped into the ring with Kostya Tszyu on 5 June 2005, he was WBU champion, undefeated in 38 fights of which 28 were knockouts. Yet Ricky was the underdog against the legendary Tszyu, the undisputed IBF light welter-weight champion. After four years of defending his own WBU crown, this was finally Ricky's chance to show what he was made of. In front of 22,000 spectators at the MEN Arena in Manchester and millions more on TV in 80 countries, Hatton the challenger pummelled Tszyu the champion for 11 blistering rounds. Tszyu failed to get up from his stool for Round 12 and Ricky Hatton was suddenly the man to beat in the toughest division in World Boxing.Born in 1978 in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Ricky began to box at ten, and soon had to make the agonising choice between boxing and football after impressing at trials with his beloved Manchester City. He continued to impress in the ring and develop his will to win. After losing in the semi-finals of the 1996 World Championships when he felt he should have progressed to the final, Ricky threw his bronze medal in a drawer in disgust, and never looked at it again.He gave up his job as a carpet-fitter and turned pro in 1999, taking the Boxing world by storm and clinching the WBU belt within two years. "Hitman" is Ricky's story in his own words, from the training ring of Sale West Amateur Boxing Club to the world stage. With Ricky's inimitable mix of quiet, down-to-earth modesty, sportsmanship and ruthless determination to succeed, this is a unique book for every true sports fan.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35815 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From the Publisher
The autobiography of the best and most-loved British boxer

About the Author
Ricky Hatton lives with parents Ray and Carol in Hyde, Greater Manchester. He is mad about Manchester City FC and also a keen darts fan. He has a young son, Campbell. This is his first book. 'I'm a Mancunian born and bred and I feel no different to the man in the crowd and it's nice to reward them. I want to become a great champion' Ricky Hatton

Customer Reviews

An honest portrayal
The great honesty of the book allows the reader to gain an insight into the real Ricky Hatton. There is great detail of his close knit family, the morals they represent and his love for 'Mr Guinness and Mr Dom Perignon'.

Ricky explains his upbringing in excellent detail and the book is riddled with many humerous stories that have occurred throughout his life.

His behavior whilst in training for a fight shows exceptional dedication and self control. From this we admire his drive to succeed and appreciate the pain he endures to be successful in his trade. On the flipside we are then invited into his post fight persona and almost alter ego, that the press have dubbed, 'Ricky Fatton'. A life of drinking, partying and takeaways.

As he persistently reiterates, being the world champion has not changed Ricky Hatton. He still drinks at the same pub and congregates with the same friends he has always done. As he explains, 'boxing is just my job'.

The fighter provides a detailed account of how his maturity has grown, both in and out of the boxing ring. A great read.

There's Only One Ricky Hatton
One of the quietest people outside the ring, but in the ring hes one of the Greatest Boxers of the world. This book will tell you about his life inside the ring and out. how he took up boxing, how he's undefeated, how he fell out with frank and about his famouse body punches.
words cannot describe this book, i'm not a reader really but it didnt take me long to finnish it, i found it interesting, witty and amazing in any way you would want a autobiography to be.

by Dan Holmes

There is only one Ricky Hatton!
What an inspiration to millions of fans and whilst most see the very good work Ricky does in the ring, he is equally adept at his charity skills. I enjoyed the book and respect the person.

Coming from the same local area as Ricky I know what an inspiration he has been to many people and I am privileged to say 'have many of the same friends'!

This is an honest and sometimes humorous account of a Northern lad with true dedication and commitment not only to the boxing game but also to a much wider community.

From fellow author and resident 'Good Luck Ricky'