Cornerman Billy hangs up gloves with Ricky

Ricky Hatton will head into his world title clash against Paulie Malignaggi on 22 November without trainer Billy Graham in his corner.

Graham has ended their 11-year partnership and will retire from boxing following one final job in the corner of journeyman Ojay Abrahams in Watford on Friday.

Hatton's father, Ray, today paid tribute to Graham, who moulded Hatton into one of the best fighters Britain has produced.

He said: "Ricky and Billy had a meeting in which Billy admitted he was not going any further. It was quite emotional.

"But everybody knew Billy had been struggling with a few health problems. We knew the bombshell was coming."

Hatton is now likely to be trained by Graham's assistant, Lee Beard, for his fight against Malignaggi.

But Floyd Mayweather Snr, father of Floyd Mayweather who inflicted a first career defeat on Hatton last December, has already thrown his hat into the ring as a candidate for the 29-year-old's cornerman.

He said: "When I get my hands on Ricky he will use his head more."