By Wally Downes Jr.

BILLY JOE SAUNDERS loves having childhood hero Ricky Hatton in his corner for his shot at a second world title.

The 29-year-old southpaw fights Shefat Isufi for the WBO super-middleweight belt on May 18, just weeks after joining Tyson Fury’s trainer Ben Davison, who works out of the Hitman’s Manchester base.

Two-weight icon Hatton is attracting most of Britain’s top Traveller talent to his sweatbox, with Nathan Gorman and Tyson’s little brother Tommy under his wing and Isaac Lowe in the team.

And Saunders revealed exactly what it is about the 40-year-old fans’ favourite that has got the Gypsy fighters settled in his spot.

Saunders said: “Ricky is a real down-to-earth fella and he was one of my idols growing up, you can be in nothing but awe of him.

“In this camp already he has picked out a couple of pointers for me and I have taken them on board, he’s like a senior member of the team because he has been there and done it.

It’s always nice to have talks with someone who has been there and done it

Billy Joe Saunders On Ricky Hatton

“Ricky sees little things and has his say and he has a real good relationship Ben and Ricky Hatton just appeals to all of us.”

Hatton was a crucial part of Fury’s corner when the Gypsy King drew with WBC champ Deontay Wilder in December.