News

Can Ricky Hatton’s Son Cambbell Become The Next ‘Hitman’?

Published by Patrik Kuitunen on 3rd November 2017.

“There are only two Ricky Hattons, two Ricky Hattons . . . “

Fans at North Solihull Leisure Centre on Sunday 29th of October afternoon saw someone who looked very much like ‘The Hitman.’

His name was Campbell Hatton – and he has boxing in his DNA.

Father Ricky and uncle Matthew were both there on Sunday to watch the 17 year old win the Junior Development Class B title at 60kgs.

The championship is open to junior boxers – aged under 18 – who have had 20 bouts or fewer.

Hatton won the title – and won it well.

Boxing for Roy Richardson’s Boxing Academy, he looked a chip off the old block in the final, outjabbing the taller Steve McDonagh (Fairburn) and keeping him on the back foot with his terrier-like aggression.

Boxing Social watched a lot of bouts on Sunday afternoon and the stand-out performances came from Merridale welterweight Conah Walker and Hatton.

“I’m very proud,” said Ricky afterwards. “I see a lot of myself in him. The boxing ability is there, but he doesn’t always use it. The jab was working against a taller opponent, but he wanted to fight. He has that fire in him.

“Campbell wanted to box. It was his idea. Truth be told, I would prefer it if he didn’t. But he knuckles down, trains hard and he’s doing well at college, which is the most important thing.”

Campbell started boxing at 13 at Hyde and District ABC, lost his first two and drifted away. He reappeared at Joe Pennington’s Northside ABC around 18 months ago looking like “a big fat blob,” according to the coach.

Hatton got the weight off, started winning fights and because of its location, he switched to Roy Richardson’s Boxing Academy at the start of the current season.

Pennington describes Campbell as “ferocious” and added: “He sparred bigger kids at my gym and always got stuck in.

“He dropped them with body shots.

“Campbell is very, very fit and the longer fights will suit him. He will have more time to wear them down with body shots when he fights over three-minute rounds.

“He has great stamina and he’s made like his dad, always telling jokes.”

Ricky boxed in the World Junior Championships and won the ABA light-welterweight title before turning pro and said: “Being at the show brought back so many memories of when I started out.

“The bus driver, Tommy, used to drive the bus when I was a schoolboy!

“Whether Campbell goes on to achieve more in boxing or doesn’t, we don’t know, but he will be a better person for having boxed and that’s the most important thing.”

READ MORE:

Ricky Hatton’s Protege Joins Frank Warren’s Stable

Exclusive: Eddie Hearn Used To Think He Was Sugar Ray Leonard But Realised He Was Too Posh To Box

Mayweather-McGregor: What The Experts Think

ENTER TO WIN 2x TICKETS TO BELLEW-HAYE 2