Food for thought, Ricky

May 21 2008 By Mark Staniforth

RICKY Hatton's indulgent lifestyle "has finally caught up with him" according to Juan Lazcano's trainer Ronnie Shields.

Hatton returns to the ring for the first time since December's 10th-round stoppage defeat by Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas when he faces Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday. Mexico-born Lazcano, 33, is a live opponent but firm under-dog for the 29-year-old 'Hitman', who is dropping back down to light-welterweight to defend his reputation as the world's top 140lb fighter.

Hatton was out of sorts against pound-for-pound non-pareil Mayweather and blamed the defeat largely on his failure to execute his game plan.

Veteran trainer Shields, however, believes there were physical reasons for his performance - namely Hatton's tendency to balloon in weight between fights due to his diet of takeaways and alcohol.

And he backed his charge to exploit them in front of a 55,000 capacity crowd this weekend.

He said: "Ricky has a lot to prove because he got knocked out by Floyd Mayweather.

"I think Ricky's lifestyle has finally caught up with him."