Hatton plans no-frills fight

Ricky Hatton believes it is important to get back to basics for his big homecoming clash with Juan Lazcano in front of 55,000 fans at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday night.

Hatton is convinced his frustration cost him dear when he was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather in December and he is adamant he will not make the same mistake again against the Mexican.

"Everyone can see I have got the boxing ability but I think sometimes it is just a frame of mind with me. I'm that intent on throwing hooks I sometimes forget what I'm good at," he said.

Hatton added: "I've been working hard with my trainer Billy Graham and he's been reminding me what a good boxer I am. For me it's always about entertaining the crowd but there are times I need to show a little more caution.

"There's nothing better to put the brakes on you in that respect than a knockout defeat. But there would have been more chance of me playing to the crowd if I had won my last fight."

Both fighters tipped the scales at 9st 13lbs 11oz at a bizarrely good natured weigh-in at a food hall in the Trafford Centre, with Lazcano playfully ruffling Hatton's hair and the pair failing to pose in the traditional nose-to-nose fashion.

Lazcano has spoken of his "honour" and "privilege" to get the chance to fight Hatton, but insists he will seize his opportunity in his first fight since he effectively retired following a points loss to Vivian Harris last year.

"It's been a long journey and I've slowly been building up my career. For me this is a resurrection for my career. I've got a new team and I feel like a new Juan Lazcano," he said.

"I always wanted to be a champion and I accomplished that. But greatness was never on my radar. Now I believe that I can be great. Once you believe and think something, it can happen.

"I didn't prepare well for my fight against Harris. I ate too many tamales. I thought, if that's the best I can do I don't want to pursue this any more. But it's amazing how things have worked out. I believe it's destiny for me."