OUR MAN IN LAS VEGAS

Thurs 6th December...

Up at 5am for the trip to the airport. Lovely English fry-up to start the day (they 'don't do' Baked Beans in 'Vegas, I found out to my horror in June!!!).

Arrived at Manchester airport with four hours to spare, just me and my bag. Where were all the staff? What are these funny machines at check-in? I'd just spent two hours the night before trying to 'check-in on-line' as someone said that was the best way - didn't get it.

Eventually a nice coloured chap came over and took my passport and flight details. He managed to print me boarding passes for all three flights for the journey out - it was like Black Magic - some form of voodoo!!! I was impressed though. Only had hand luggage so was on my way!

Got on to security. Passed through the beeper OK but became worried when my bag failed to come out of the 'microwave'. Then some fat, little, piggy-style woman came over and said we had to look in there for liquids. It was the two litre bottle of Pepsi that was the problem. She took if off me so I drank as much as I could there and then. What's wrong with Pepsi? Do I look like a terrorist? Am I Asian? Am I Irish? No. I wasn't arguing though, I did that once en-route to Austria and 'they' don't like it...

Got to the bar and drank several ales. There was cracking atmosphere, 7am and it was packed. I'd guess 75% or so Hatton followers, generally the male of the species between the ages of 18/50, cheering at SSN every time Rick came on (like every ten mins!). Made the flight in time, this travelling lark is easy...

Didn't go down well on the flight though, I had a window seat and needed three p1sses on the journey to Heathrow! The two lads next to me ended up just saying "for f***s sake, just take the aisle seat man!"

What's wrong with needing a wee?

Got to Heathrow. That's a big place. We actually had to get a train to the departure lounge! Train stations in airports, I kid you not. I spent half hour looking for the ticketing machine...the train turned out to be FREE!!!

The banter now begins, sat waiting for my flight to Denver, an hour before departure, pulled due to mechanical failure!!!

Cue circa 60 Hatton fans rushing to the BA desk, I got lost and ended up four from the back. Some horror stories were coming through the queue "can't get to Vegas until tomorrow, etc". What about the weigh-in tomorrow I was thinking. All turned out nice though, everyone got sorted. As almost EVERY seat was taken out to the States (remember 33,000 were travelling), we got sent all over the world, three to NY, one to Dallas, five to Chicago etc...basically filling seats where free. One group of 14 Scousers ended up on five different flights!!!

What did I get? Montreal! It got me to 'Vegas three hours later than I was supposed to get there. I was OK with this. Sat waiting for the flight I asked some old codger which State it was in...it's only in f***in Canada aint it!!! TUW sent me a text saying I would get snowed-in up there. Panic was setting-in now. I though about returning to the desk but the flight was leaving in 25mins, be brave Huggles, I went for it!!!

All turned out nice again, as about six of us were the last in the line we all got on a third full flight!!! Everyone else ended up on packed flights.

I took my seat, I was on my phone. When do you turn mobiles off on a plane? I asked a normal looking bloke next to me...he didn't get me...he seemed to be talking in French!!! WTF? On a flight from UK to America/Canada/whatever...a 'ruddy Frog!!!

Went for a p1ss, my tenth of the day, BRILLIANT, two of the more rowdier Scousers from the group of 14 were at the back... "Eh, eh, yous were on arr flights from Manc werrnt ya's" "come and sit with us like" --------------- Oh f***, all I wanted to do was plug my iPod in and sleep, Frogs, Scousers, what next?

Got out of it "err yeah lads, just going for a kip and ill be back in a bit". Bagged three empty seats in the middle and got some kip, only to be interrupted by some cowardly stewardess who resembled a gnarled Ork asking me to "belt up for take off"!!!

Got to Canada though. TUW was right, snow everywhere!!! I though America was always hot? Was weird, the most silent, dead airport I've ever seen. There were more Maple leaves on the walls than staff and passengers!!! All the women had beards too, what do they breed there? Isn't this where Peter Beardsley comes from? All starting to fit-in now. They are all @#$%&! Had to fill in some green form to let me in to America, got through!!! Then came the US passport control. Serious banter now. Navigated my way through an enormous lie like one you would get at Alton Towers, get this, no one in it. Got to the front and walked to the stand where a big black man was. He waved me back and asked me to wait!!!!! WTF is all this? I waited and he waved me over. They took finger print scans and eyeball scans...

"Any criminal convictions"
"No"

"What is your occupation"
"Insurance broker"

"Where are you staying"
"MGM Grand Las Vegas, sir"

"Reason for stay"
"Boxing this weekend"

"Who are you boxing!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????!!!!!!!!!"

I nearly p***ed myself! (not for the first time that day may I add!)

"errr, nooo, I am going to see Hatton/Mayweather"
"Who?"

Brilliant!!!!

"The big fight at MGM Grand this weekend" I replied.

I got through...

Now, something I love about following sport from this country around the world. I made my way to departures, passed the regulation Burger King etc, walking by the bar...only saw someone sat at the bar who I met in 'Vegas in June!!! A fellow Hatton forum poster!!!

Boarded the plane, this was a packed one and another 5.5hours too on what can only be described as a shed with wings!

We got to 'Vegas. I was back at my second home. It was worth the wait...

Got to the MGM Grand, through main doors to see a ring set up, 'Undefeated' was the banner and there was a huge Golden lion in the ring. I was there. Ready for one of the biggest sporting occasions ever. The room keys were cool, cards, branded with the fight poster.

As I made my way to the room I could hear the cries of "there's only ooooone Ricky Hatton" get louder and louder. I went for a look. There it was, the Zuri bar in the hotel, fans hanging from the walls, drinking and singing the name of our champion.

Made my way to the room, walked passed Zab Judah who just happened to be walking about, saw Ray Hatton playing poker and saw some real lions...just a 'normal' walk from reception to your quarters basically...

The room was class, TUW arrived an hour or so later, we had a look around the hotel and found the arena etc...then sensibly called it a night....