Billy Graham to return ?

26.02.11

Ricky Hatton's former trainer Billy Graham has been rumoured to be returning into boxing following a retirement from the sport in the wake of his split with Hatton in 2008 following Ricky's lacklustre display against Juan Lazcano at his Manchester "Homecoming event".

Involved in every domestic and world title going, Graham was an outspoken but respected figure in British boxing, whose return to these shores to train fighters will be good news.

Graham's Phoenix camp was involved in the careers of Ricky Hatton, Ensley Bingham, Mike Brodie, Michael Gomez, Matthew Macklin, Paul Burke, Steve Foster, Carl Thompson, Anthony Farnell, Paul Smith and Matthew Hatton.

Graham, 53 was last in the media a few weeks ago, after setlling a court case for unpaid purse monies against Hatton. He told the hearing that he had always received 10% of the purse in Hatton's fights.

However, he claimed he was not paid for Hatton's 'Homecoming' fight against Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester stadium in May 2008 - and also that he was owed money for the loss against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in December 2007.

Graham was angry towards Ray Hatton, accussing Ricky's father of short changing him by asking him sign an agreement for a fixed amount of just over £450k.

This was despite a total purse for the Mayweather fight alone of more than £10m, after accounting for lucrative pay-per-view deals on HBO and Sky box office.

But Graham settled out of court for a 'mutually acceptable' amount and the case was dropped.


VIEW COMMENTS