 Hatton is preparing for his first fight in boxing capital Las Vegas |
Ricky Hatton remains on course for his title fight against Juan Urango on 20 January after recovering from an arm injury, his father Ray said on Sunday. The Manchester boxer hurt his arm in training but is in shape ahead of the light welterweight bout in Las Vegas.
Ray Hatton said: "We lost 12 to 18 rounds of sparring but it looks like we're on the other side of the injury.
"It's not ideal but we got through it as Ricky went into the gym so early. We're confident going into the fight."
Hatton has been working in trainer Billy Graham's Phoenix Camp gym and in his hometown of Manchester before flying out for his final preparations in Las Vegas.
 | The only preparation that went absolutely perfectly for Ricky was when he fought Kostya Tszyu |
Ray Hatton revealed his son was used to dealing with set-backs in the build-up to contests and this injury would be no exception.
"We've had all these problems before - you don't go through 41 fights without having bumps along the way," he said.
"The only preparation that went absolutely perfect for Ricky was when he fought Kostya Tszyu.
"It never plays on his mind, because the minute you start doing that, you start looking for every ache and pain you get."
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Hatton, 28, is taking on Colombian Urango for his old IBF title after relinquishing the WBA welterweight title he claimed from Luis Collazo last May.
It will be the first time the Manchester boxer has fought in Las Vegas and Ray Hatton, who also acts as his manager, is expecting an intriguing contest.
"I don't think Urango has been in with anyone who punches as hard as Ricky," he said. "It will be interesting to see what happens when he gets a few back.
"We know that this is going to be a great TV fight and we're really looking forward to fighting Urango."
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