Boxing: Hatton ready to leave Smith feeling blue

When not appearing in fights that attract in excess of 14,000 people to the MEN Arena in Manchester, Ricky Hatton alternates his hands as he plays darts at his local in Hattersley.

Hatton is off the oche at the moment because tonight he defends his World Boxing Union light welterweight title for the seventh time in just 14 months when he meets London-born Stephen Smith in a fight that has almost captured the imagination of the boxing business. Hatton and his promoter, Frank Warren, expect about 15,000 at the MEN, which is amazing considering Smith's low profile.

The Manchester boxer's fame has come as something of a shock to some in the game because just last summer Hatton was part of a show in his home town that sold about 4,000 tickets – and he was not the main attraction. However, within two fights and two months Hatton and his ferocious style, his love of Manchester City and his two-handed ability at darts had turned him into Britain's biggest boxing attraction. Who was the last so-called people's champion? Nigel Benn?

"When I come out from behind those curtains and walk into that arena to see the crowd it is one of the best feelings and it reminds me why I get up at six and run and train so bloody hard," said Hatton. He enters the ring to the same version of Blue Moon that his beloved City use each time they play at Maine Road. Hatton has a box at the ground and his close association with the club, its players and Kevin Keegan explains some of his attraction to the people of Manchester. Hatton's father, Ray, was even on the books at the club in the 1960s.

However, Manchester's other popular fighter, Anthony Farnell, is a United fan and when he fights on the same night as Hatton, supporters from the two clubs unite in a unique way. Farnell and Hatton, who are trained by Billy Graham, both wear their respective shirts to the ring but there is never any trouble and Blue Moon is not even booed. Farnell fights South Africa's Ruben Groenewald for the WBU middleweight title tonight.

So far Hatton has remained unbeaten in 29 fights and his distinctive short, left hooks to body and head have left a total of 23 men in pain long before the planned finish. The image of former world champion and seasoned veteran Freddie Pendleton folding in half and falling to the canvas for a full count of 10 last October did not go unnoticed in America. Hatton's fights are screened in America on Showtime.

Back in June a near-capacity crowd at the MEN watched in stunned silence when Ulster's Eamonn Magee dropped Hatton briefly and rocked him several times during a fight that too many people foolishly believed would be easy. When it was over Hatton was a clear winner and insisted the knockdown and tricky moments are all part of the business.

Tonight, Hatton, who is still only 23, is expected to win with ease against former lightweight Smith but there are definite signs that his opponent, a mobile southpaw, has developed a tactic that could prove difficult for Hatton. If Smith keeps moving and varying his shots he could slow Hatton down and alter the pace sufficiently to erase the advantages in power that Hatton so clearly possesses.

Hatton needs to be able to back a fighter on to the ropes and pull his guard about with a few punches before bending his knees and landing with sickening hooks to the body. Magee was a master defensive boxer and was able to roll with and away from most of Hatton's punches. However Smith will have to rely on his movement, otherwise it will just be a matter of time before Hatton drops him.

Last year Smith, 29, lost for the only time in a career of 32 fights when he was stopped in nine rounds by Bradford's Bobby Vanzie in a challenge for the British and Commonwealth lightweight title. It was a spectacular and ugly brawl which ended controversially after dozens of low, but not lethal, punches finally drained Smith, who was in front on points, and forced the referee to intervene. Many observers thought Vanzie was close to stopping Smith, with or without the assistance of the wayward punches.

"Vanzie should have been thrown out for hitting me in the groin and believe me I will not make the same mistake against Hatton," claimed Smith, who gained the extra five pounds and is unbeaten in six since the Vanzie defeat.

In fairness, Smith always looked too big for lightweight and the move to a higher division should enable him to keep his natural power. It is, however, unlikely to be enough to help him win but it will be enough to stop the fight living up to misguided expectations of a mismatch.