Brett McGinty keen to keep learning from 'ferocious' Ricky Hatton

Late last year, Brett McGinty saw a new side to Ricky Hatton – and it was the old edge.

As McGinty was preparing for his fight with Alessandro Ruggiero, his coach Hatton was warming up for an exhibition bout with Marco Antonio Barrera.

The Mancunian has spoken of his fondness for McGinty with his young protégé displaying similar characteristics.

The Johnston man (6-0, 1KO) faces up to Patrik Fiala (5-3-2, 3KOs) at The National Stadium this Saturday night on Jason Quigley's undercard.

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Hatton, a multiple world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight, will corner McGinty.

“This camp has been more normal again,” McGinty said. “For the last one, Ricky did the sessions along with us.

“Ricky's drive in training was crazy. It was great to see. Watching him training and see how hard he pushed himself for an exhibition, you could see why he was so ferocious and so good in his day.

“I can only hope to someday get to where he did. It's great to have him in my corner and have him guiding me.”

McGinty loves a scrap. He defeated Ruggiero 59-55 on points after a tasty six-rounder.

He has the same aggressive approach Hatton had in his pomp.

McGinty said: “We have a style where we like to wear the opponents down, work the body and eventually down the stretch you'll see the benefits of the early work.”

The former Oakleaf ABC amateur, a European Schoolboys bronze and Commonwealth Youth Games silver medal winner, has already built up an impressive fan base.

The noise was unmistakable as he walked out to face Ruggiero and the famous old venue will rock to their tune again n Saturday.

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McGinty belatedly began his pro career in silence with a behind-closed-doors debut, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but his return to home soil has shown the promise of fights in Ireland.

He said: “It's great to fight at home. In the early stages, I was in Coventry and it was never straightforward for people.

“This gives a lot more people chance to make a trip. Nothing beats fighting at home and at such a familiar venue too.

“This gives me an extra push, knowing that people have spent hard-earned money to come and watch me. It can give an extra few per cent if I needed it.”

The chance to fight on a card alongside Quigley has a special sort of appeal for McGinty too.

The two are managed by Sheer Sports Management and Quigley has taken a close interest in McGinty's career in recent times.

McGinty said: “Jason has been at the pinnacle of the sport and fought for the world title. He wants to come back and do it again.

“People finally get a chance to see him on home turf for his new and improved push to a title. It's great for Irish boxing and great for Donegal. Hopefully it'll be the first of a few fights here and hopefully he can push for a world title again.”

Hatton believes that McGinty is as sharp as he has ever been of late.

A hurt left hand in the Ruggiero win hasn't resurfaced and McGinty seems like a man on a mission.

He said:” I need to take that into fight night now. I've put in the work and I'm ready to go. I want people who'll come and put it up to me. I want a proper fight.”