Rooney to carry out Hatton's belt in Vegas

Ricky Hatton has urged his legions of supporters to put tribal differences aside when they converge on Las Vegas next month for his light-welterweight super-fight against Jose Luis Castillo.

Over 8,000 fans are expected to jet across the Atlantic to roar on staunch Manchester City fan Hatton - who admits some are less than happy that Wayne Rooney will be carrying in one of his belts.

Despite footballing differences Hatton has grown to be close friends with the United striker and has asked him to take part in his ring entrance alongside Mexican ring great Marco Antonio Barrera.

Hatton said: 'I am disappointed that a few City fans have asked me if it is true that Wayne is carrying the belt in, and said 'oh well, we won't be going then.

'I can see where they are coming from because when it comes to football probably nobody hates United more than me.

'When it's derby day I hope we kick them all over the pitch.

'But that is just football and so anybody who doesn't want to come and watch my fight because Wayne is carrying the belt in, well you are not welcome as far as I'm concerned.'

Rooney is expected to be joined at ringside at the Thomas and Mack Center by United team-mates Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Wes Brown, along with City midfielder Joey Barton.

Hatton recently attended a lavish London birthday party for Rooney's fiancee Colleen and said he saw many similarities between himself and the United star.

Hatton added: 'I like Wayne's attitude. He is no-nonsense and when you think of the spotlight he is under, for him to remain the way he is is impressive.

'I like Wayne as a player, he is always attacking and he is the type of exciting, attacking player who keeps you on the edge of your seat.

'I also like his attitude. In this era of celebrity nobodies who haven't achieved everything, Wayne, with everything he has achieved, is still so grounded and that's what I like about him.

'Just because I don't support his team doesn't mean I can't admire what he has done. And I must admit I will have a little chuckle when I see him carrying one of my belts out to Blue Moon.'

Having been forced to vacate the IBF title he won over Juan Urango last time out, Hatton enters the fight without a recognised world title belt to his name.

But he will boast the fringe IBO title and also the belt awarded by the 'Ring' Magazine to the fighter it considers to be the rightful number one in each division.

Hatton will head out to Las Vegas a week on Thursday and set up camp in a rented house alongside his brother Matthew and domestic middleweight contender Matthew Macklin.