By Lucian Parfitt

Hatton awarded British Boxer of the Year Award

The undefeated IBF champion, who dismantled Kosya Tszyu in July was voted boxer of the year on Sunday afternoon at the Novotel Hotel in London. Hatton, 26, also picked up the sportsman of the year award jointly with Kostya Tszyu for the respectful way they conducted themselves throughout the period of their July showdown.

As he had done after winning the title, Hatton lauded praise on Tyszu after collecting his award. “Kostya Tszyu is not only a great champion but also a great man. After the contest he gave me his telephone number and said I could call him any time for help and advice. There are a lot of prima donnas in this game but for him to say (that) shows just what a great man he is."

Hatton’s kindness even stretched to Frank Warren, despite the promoters pending legal action against him. “Id like to thank the board of control, Sky TV, my trainer Billy Graham, Kerry Kayes and even Frank Warren, who promoted me excellently for many years. We have had our differences lately but he did a fantastic job.”

Hatton’s gentlemanly personality has made him an increasingly popular figure in his home city of Manchester and fame does not appear to have changed him. “It really does make a change for me to win something without someone not wanting to smash my teeth in.” he typically quipped.

Hobson vs. Haye off Again

For a second time the proposed fight between British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight champion Mark Hobson and young challenger David Haye has been cancelled. In July, Haye had to pull out due to a Hamstring injury and now Hobson has pulled out due to shingles.

However, the news may have come to some relief to Haye (although he would never admit it) having revealed his preparations have been far from ideal. After spending much of the summer DJ’ing Ayia Napa and Miami, Haye returned to join his trainer Adam Booth just 14 days before the fight was scheduled to take place.

That didn’t stop him exuding confidence earlier in the week, telling secondsout “I don't need to change my style or even work on one particular thing for Hobson; all I need is to be sharp. Hobson is not a complicated fighter. What I see is a typical Euro-style, upright box-fighter. I eat typical Euro-style, upright box-fighters for breakfast."

The recurring cancellation is extremely frustrating for British fight fans, with the fight increasingly becoming a bitter grudge match. Both men have exchanged angry words through the press, a trend that Haye decided to continue despite the news of Hobson’s withdrawal. 

“I did everything I could to make him comfortable and hold his hand, and even let him know my preparation was far from ideal, but it still didn't boost his confidence. I did what boxers usually don't do and was brutally honest about my preparation. Hobson still didn't fancy it, given his weak-arse mentality.”

After this second setback the fight is likely to be scraped altogether, especially with Haye eager to challenge European champion Alexander Gurov. The defiant Haye has made it clear his horizons go far beyond the likes of Hobson, declaring he will still fight on next weeks show in Huddersfield. “I'm not losing any sleep over it," he said.

"I knew it would be an easy fight. Hopefully we can now get in a tougher opponent."