Hatton's Trainer Announces Retirement
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Jul 29, 7:15 AM (ET)

LONDON (AP) -British boxer Ricky Hatton will be without his trainer for November's IBF light welterweight title fight against Paulie Malignaggi after he announced his retirement.

Billy Graham, Hatton's trainer of 11 years, has said he will retire following a fight on Friday. His last fight with Hatton was the lopsided points victory over Juan Lazcano in an IBO light welterwight title fight in May.

"Ricky and Billy had a meeting yesterday in which Billy admitted he was not going any further," Hatton's father, Ray, said. "It was quite emotional because they have been together for so long.

"It's a sad day. Billy will always be remembered as one of the world's great trainers, and to go out after a win in front of 58,000 people in Manchester will be a fitting end to his career."

Graham's assistant, Lee Beard, is likely to train Hatton for his fight against Malignaggi before the boxer decides on a permanent replacement.



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