Showbiz

Becks leads stars in Las Vegas to cheer for Hatton as boxer's dream ends

Updated 09:07am on 12 Dec 2007

David Beckham led a host of celebrities cheering for British boxer Ricky Hatton in his failed bid to become world champion in Las Vegas yesterday.

Becks, who regularly exchanges text messages with the fight star, was also joined by Coleen McLoughlan, Gwen Stefani and Brad Pitt alongside Angelina Jolie in the showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

Hatton, 29, was knocked out in the 10th round before the match was stopped at the glittering arena at the MGM Grand Casino.

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Support: Beckham cheers among thousands of fans as Hatton loses the big fight

But Beckham, 32, "wouldn't have missed the event for the world", a friend of the LA Galaxy star said. "The two have become good friends now and like to keep in touch," he added.

The pair met in Los Angeles while the Hitman was promoting his fight with unbeaten Mayweather, 34.

Hatton invited the England midfield ace to be a ringside guest for the what was described as the "clash of the decade".

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Glamour: Coleen McLoughlan watches the fight after a busy day's shopping in Las Vegas

Cheer squad: Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes and Tiger Woods

His wife Victoria was also performing in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay on the Spice Girls Re-Union world tour.

So Becks managed watch the fight before sprinting across the Vegas Strip to hear Posh and Co.

Mancunian Hatton has praised the former Manchester United star in the past.

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Smiles: Gwen Stefani enjoys the spectacle of the high-profile match

A List: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt lap up the attention in their ringside seats

He recently said: �He is softly spoken, but a good laugh and a real class act.

�I'd never seen a man more groomed in my life.

"He was only there to watch a football match, but there wasn't a hair out of place and his eyebrows were plucked . . . I've never been that smart in my life.

�I can't speak any higher of him. When you think how much he is in the public eye and to remain so humble proves he is a class act.�

However, Hatton, now established as one of the most recognised faces in the world of sport, has admitted he is still stunned at mixing with celebrities. Scroll down for more...

Fan club: actors Bruce Willis, Jeremy Piven and Sylvester Stallone all attended the fight

He said: �Sometimes you exchange numbers and tell people you're there if they need anything, but the last thing I expected was a text from David asking 'How's your training going champ?'

�Just the other day he texted me and said he can't wait for the fight and it was his first major boxing show.

�When I received the first one I had to tell my dad. I have to pinch myself sometimes."

Ouch: Jude Law watches as both fighters rain down blows on each other

Reader views (1)

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It was a very great fight! Floyd is more clever boxer now and more technical.
But I think that Ricky will be a champion of the world in a few years!
I believe in it. Ricky Hutton is a very beautiful boxer. He must change his team and he must change his directive, technique and tactic. This is neccessary after this fight with Floyd.
About Floyd. He can change his way of boxing during the any fight. He can feel his opponent. But he has a weak sides as any boxer. My position was for Ricky`s side in this fight! Be a real strong fighter, Ricky!
Keep well! I wish you good luck!

- Albert Hubetsov, Moscow, 10/12/2007 13:29
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