Ricky Hatton took to the scales for the first time in a decade today as he prepares to face off with fellow boxing legend, Marco Antonio Barrera, in an exhibition bout.
Whilst the fight will be a showcase rather than a brawl, Hatton has clearly taken his preparations seriously. So much so, that the physique of Manchester man clearly had Sky commentator, Johnny Nelson, in shock.
“How is that possible. How has he done that?!”
The official numbers on the scales were 159.5lb for Hatton (11.4 stone) and 161lb Barrera (11.5 stone). It represents an important moment for ‘The Hitman’ who has been open about his weight struggles in the past.
"How has he done that?!" 🚨
Ricky Hatton weighs 159.5lbs!! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5eXPO5Naj5
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 11, 2022
In the lead up to the fight, he has said that the inspiration he is giving others is a driving factor to keep him going – and is said to have lost an incredible 4 stone in training camp. Barrera looked fit, too, for a man who’s almost 50 and has a 75 fight professional career behind him.
Ricky Hatton x Marco Antonio Barrera 😍
Two legends of the sport. Iconic. 📸 pic.twitter.com/eshaS0npw0
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 11, 2022
Barrera and Hatton have 123 fights between them, with 112 of those being wins. The visiting opponenet is as much a legend in his hometown as Ricky is in Manchester, and, as exhibitions go, it’s one that many boxing fans are behind.
The pair enter the ring as friends, and will leave the same. They’ve been open about the event being a celebration of the skill and solidarity in the sport of boxing. Having said that, Hatton has promised that ‘no fan will leave yawning’, and that neither man will want to concede having the better performance.
The action takes place at Manchester’s AO Arena and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Expect lots of Oasis, a chant of walking in a Hatton wonderland, and, of course, Blue Moon Rising by Supra as ‘The Hitman’ makes what could be his final ringwalk.