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Ricky’s mum comes out fighting

19/12/2007

BOXING hero Ricky Hatton might be world famous, but mum Carol has emerged as a major celebrity in her own right.

Ricky jetted back to Manchester on Monday, bloodied but unbowed after losing his fight with Floyd Merryweather.

Meanwhile, Carol who has a carpet stall on Glossop indoor market, was fielding calls from the world’s media.

Dubbed ‘the Oprah Winfrey of Hyde’ by one national newspaper, she’s widely credited with being the inspiration behind her son’s sideline in stand-up comedy.

"The way she’s going she’ll have her own television show," said husband Ray.

"It’s where Ricky gets it from. about it – she’d certainly be controversial."

The couple seem completely unfazed by meeting a throng of celebrity royalty like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise while they were out in Las Vegas.

And Ray said there’s no chance of giving up his shops, or Carol her stall.

He said: "Richard’s been doing this for a long time so it’s not like all this has happened overnight.

"You’re no different from anyone else, it’s just that other people treat you differently. People say ‘Why are you still working, why are you doing this?’ but we have our own business, we’ve always been independent. It’s the way we brought the lads up as well."

He said that Ricky had no intention of retiring.

"He’s said he’ll stop when he stops getting the buzz and stops wanting to go to the gym, and he’s definitely not at that stage."

Ricky is planning to repay their fans’ loyalty with a fight in the UK next year.