QUOTE
El Paso native Juan Lazcano signs to fight Hatton
By Bill Knight / El Paso Times
It is now officially a go, contract signed, deal done.
El Paso native Juan Lazcano will fight England's darling, Ricky Hatton, for the IBO light welterweight title May 24 in Hatton's hometown of Manchester, England.
"It's done," Lazcano said. "I signed the contract today. It's a great thing. It's going to be a great fight."
There was a brief delay in ironing out the final details. London also was bidding for the fight, but it will end up in Manchester Stadium.
Chuckling, the former Bowie student said, "Manchester Stadium. Should be nice and calm in there. It only seats 40, 45,000. It should be quite a crowd, quite an atmosphere."
Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs) has a legendary following. Thousands followed him to Las Vegas in December to watch him suffer the first loss of his career, a 10th round TKO to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Lazcano, 33, is 37-4-1 (27 KOs) and has been idle since losing a decision to Vivian Harris on Feb. 20, 2007 in a WBC light welterweight title eliminator.
"I think everything I've been through has prepared me mentally and spiritually for this fight," said Lazcano, who now lives in Sacramento, Calif.
Chuckling again, he added, "I've had some troubles along the way. But I've managed to stay afloat, managed to keep my head above the water."
Lazcano fought Jose Luis Castillo for the world title in 2004, losing a decision.
"I think Showtime is looking at this fight," Lazcano said. "Hatton has a deal with HBO, but I don't think it includes this fight.
Anyway, it's a go. Green light. Contract signed. Here we go, baby, once again."
By Bill Knight / El Paso Times
It is now officially a go, contract signed, deal done.
El Paso native Juan Lazcano will fight England's darling, Ricky Hatton, for the IBO light welterweight title May 24 in Hatton's hometown of Manchester, England.
"It's done," Lazcano said. "I signed the contract today. It's a great thing. It's going to be a great fight."
There was a brief delay in ironing out the final details. London also was bidding for the fight, but it will end up in Manchester Stadium.
Chuckling, the former Bowie student said, "Manchester Stadium. Should be nice and calm in there. It only seats 40, 45,000. It should be quite a crowd, quite an atmosphere."
Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs) has a legendary following. Thousands followed him to Las Vegas in December to watch him suffer the first loss of his career, a 10th round TKO to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Lazcano, 33, is 37-4-1 (27 KOs) and has been idle since losing a decision to Vivian Harris on Feb. 20, 2007 in a WBC light welterweight title eliminator.
"I think everything I've been through has prepared me mentally and spiritually for this fight," said Lazcano, who now lives in Sacramento, Calif.
Chuckling again, he added, "I've had some troubles along the way. But I've managed to stay afloat, managed to keep my head above the water."
Lazcano fought Jose Luis Castillo for the world title in 2004, losing a decision.
"I think Showtime is looking at this fight," Lazcano said. "Hatton has a deal with HBO, but I don't think it includes this fight.
Anyway, it's a go. Green light. Contract signed. Here we go, baby, once again."
