RICKY HATTON sparred with son Campbell ahead of his comeback fight against Marco Antonio Barrera and beamed: It’s a very emotional day for me as a father.
The boxing legend, 43, will return to the ring for an eight-round exhibition fight on July 2.
And Ricky shared his pride at sharing a ring with son Campbell, 21, as part of his training camp.
Sharing two pictures of the family sparring session, the beaming dad wrote: “Very emotional day for me as a father today.
“Couldn’t be prouder of @campbellhatton anyway as everyone knows…
“But I never thought I’d see him turn pro and I especially never thought I’d be in a training camp sparring with him.
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“Had many proud times over the years… that was up there.”
Sharing similar pictures of the training session, Campbell added: “Few rounds with the old fella this afternoon.
“Not a backwards step taken by either of us…
“Really proud of how far he’s come the last few months.
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“He’s done mint getting himself in great shape and back fit and healthy.
“You definitely never lose it…”
The Hitman, who famously ballooned up between fights, has left no stone unturned in preparation for his showdown with Mexican great Barrera.
Hatton Snr has ditched the booze and junk food – sticking to a strict diet.
And he revealed he can now “hide behind a lamppost” after a sensational two-stone weight loss in the last seven weeks – with pal Tyson Fury piling on the praise.
He told The Telegraph: “I was 14 [stone] six and I’m 12 two now, I’ve lost that in seven weeks which is incredible.
“It’s about exercise and diet, knowing to eat the right things, when to eat the right things.
“‘I used to be in the pub a few nights a week. Now I’m not drinking, I’ve had a couple of glasses of wine over the last couple of weeks in the house.
“My willpower is strong. I still have my nights out but they’re few and far between and I think this Ricky is here to stay.
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“I like to go for meals, I like takeaways, I like to have a pie, I’m never going to be one of them but I’m enjoying the fact that everyone comes up to me and says, ‘Ricky you’re looking well.
“No one can say, ‘You fat b*****d anymore.’ And I can hide behind a lamp-post now – not a skip.”
