RICKY: I'VE HATT TO LEAVE HOME!
Hitman security fears over crazed fans
RICKY HATTON is being forced to move home after being plagued by obsessed fans.
The Hitman is having a £750,000 house, surrounded by a high wall, built in Gee Cross, Manchester, and will move in with stunning fiancee Jennifer Dooley and eight-year-old son Campbell in the summer.
Millionaire Hatton's boxing fame has led to a string of worrying incidents.
Jennifer feared they were being targeted by burglars or kidnappers when four fans waited in a car outside their four-bedroomed semi all night.
Stared
Another teenager stared through Hatton's front window, knocked on his parents' front door and even turned up at the hotel ahead of this interview.
And kids have also climbed on Hatton's car so they can peer in just to catch a glimpse of their hero watching TV.
Hatton's career earnings will soar through the £40million barrier when he challenges the planet's No 1 fighter Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas next Saturday. Victory will increase his fame still further.
But Hatton, 30, dismisses the threat of unnecessary intruders and said: "I get it most of the time. My house is on a normal street and anyone can walk up and knock on the door or come up and look through the windows. And they do."
Camped
His family admitted there was serious concern when a car camped outside his house overnight.
Dad Ray confessed: "It did frighten Jennifer and it was a bit hairy for Ricky, although they never called the police. The car was outside with four lads in it overnight.
"When Ricky and Jennifer peeked out of the window the next morning the car was still there. Ricky left the house for training and these lads jumped out of the car. Ricky thought: What's going on here?
"They were four supporters from Scotland who had driven all the way down to shake his hand. Being Ricky, he went back indoors, made them a brew, signed autographs and they went off made up at meeting him."
But Hatton Snr has finally convinced his oldest son that not every infatuated follower will be after a picture or handshake.
Watching
He added: "He has decided to move to a new home up the road which will have some type of wall. He is an A-lister now and it would be for the better security-wise.
"He isn't moving through choice. Kids even turn up and stand on his car just to look at him watching TV."
And the IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight champion admitted: "I can't imagine what it might be like when I beat Pacquiao."
Ahead of his fight against the Filipino idol, Ricky has taken the precaution of employing a minder.
He explained: "I have had to get security for this fight. I always said I never needed security, but the bloke I have hired is a mate."
Tickets
Pacquiao, 30, will be bidding to win his fifth world title in the 12-round light-welterweight battle. He has lost just three times in 53 fights and celebrated title glory at flyweight, super-bantamweight, super-featherweight and lightweight.
All 17,000 tickets at the MGM Grand Garden have been sold. Hatton is a 6-4 underdog but proudly boasts: "I'm punching harder, I'm faster, fitter and I think I am a freak. Every day of the week I can beat this guy.
"Pacquiao has been stopped a couple of times by body shots and has been knocked out and I don't think there's anything you can do to improve your ribs or chin."
This article has 4 comments
oooops another of our great brits slips up when it really mattered !!!
By thagaffer. Posted May 3 2009 at 11:04 AM.
Go, Ricky! Fly the Union Jack! Put ugly Manny out of the way!
I am Filipino bwahaha!
By Karen. Posted May 2 2009 at 8:10 PM.
Hatton will no even last 5 rounds against Manny!!!!
Fatton KO'd in 5 rounds...........
By Rocky Marciano. Posted April 27 2009 at 8:21 PM.
A lister !!!!!!!!!!
By 123. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:10 AM.