By Trevor Baxter, Manchester Evening News
World heavyweight champion David Haye has backed Ricky Hatton's decision to return to the ring later this year.
And he promises to be ringside when the 'Hitman' pulls on his gloves for the first time since his devastating defeat by Manny Pacquiao last May.
Before then the 29-year-old Londoner defends his WBA belt against Puerto Rican John 'the Quiet Man' Ruiz at the MEN Arena on April 3 in the first world heavyweight title fight in Britain for 10 years.
And he wants Hatton's famous fans to roar him to victory in this mandatory defence after slaying Russian giant Nikolai Valuev in Germany last November.
"I think it's great Ricky has decided to make a comeback," Haye told MEN Sport in an exclusive interview.
"Whatever he feels he needs to do I will support him 100 percent. If he wanted to retire I would support that, too."
And Haye, who will train at Hatton's Hyde gym during the build-up to his Easter Saturday spectacular, added: "If he feels he still has something to give then why not.
"You can be sure that whenever he fights Ricky is going to draw a big crowd.
"He will give a good night's entertainment and the one thing he can count on is me being ringside for that fight."
Haye visited Manchester earlier this week to promote his fight against veteran Ruiz, who lists victory against Evander Holyfield as one of his career highlights. Ruiz also has two defeats by Valuev to his name.
Stunned
Haye hopes for a 20,000 sell-out but will happily spare a seat for the only man to spoil his otherwise perfect career record.
Cheetham Hill's Carl Thompson stunned Haye with a fifth round stoppage at Wembley in 2004.
"I haven't seen Carl since," smiles the Bermondsey-born star. "I will get him some tickets to come down and see the guy he beat defend his heavyweight title.
"It's amazing that he beat me in 2004 but had one more fight and then retired while I went on to win the undisputed cruiserweight championship.
"It seemed that fight was a cross-roads in both of our lives. It's strange he didn't carry on with it and I did. I know he was older but I still feel he had a lot to offer. He proved that by beating me he still had a lot of fight in him."
Haye, who defended his former European title at Altrincham Leisure Centre in July 2006, clearly enjoys his trips to Manchester. "I have been here many times," he acknowledges. "I came to see Mike Tyson's fight against Julius Francis and that was my first real taste of a big arena.
"I was blown away by the fans and the atmosphere. I said to myself I'd love to be top of the bill here one day.
"It seemed a million miles away back then but here I am. Just walking around, I seem to have a lot of fans here."
Ruiz, now 38, is a two-time former world heavyweight champion and has been a professional for 18 years.
His list of wins includes victory over former Manchester star Michael Murray. His only loss in 53 fights came against Kiwi David Tua in 1996.
Ruiz declined a chance to attend Tuesday's press conference, preferring to remain and train in Las Vegas.
Not one to indulge in pre-fight hype, Ruiz has already taken some of Haye's best verbal shots.
"I like to call him a cure for insomnia," goaded the British favourite. "No one wants him because of his style. People in Puerto Rico say he is American and the Americans say he is from Puerto Rico.
"But I'm going to make sure it's the last time they see John Ruiz."
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
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