FORGET Rocky. It was Ricky who was the big draw for boxing fans in Bournemouth on Saturday night - along with his pals Sir Enery and Big Frank.

Champ Ricky "Hitman" Hatton and legends Sir Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno were the guests of honour at a sportmen's dinner for charity.

The event at the Royal Bath Hotel featuring the heavyweight line-up was organised by Poole businessman Adam Murry, whose Murry Foundation runs a number of charitable projects in Africa for children and animals.

The diminuitive Hatton, who begins a three month training camp today in preparation for a title fight against Jose Luis Castillo Las Vegas in June, told the Echo: "I am delighted to be here. It's a fantastic cause and the foundation does some great work in Africa."

Stockport-born Hatton is regarded as one of Britain's most charming and accessible athletes and lived up to his reputation at a pre-dinner event at Jimmy's.

He flew down by private jet from Manchester and returned immediately after the dinner to attend the 21st birthday of Wayne Rooney's girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin in Liverpool.

"Wayne is a good friend of mine and he really wanted me to be there," said the former carpet fitter who turned professional in 1997.

"But I thought it was really important for me to be here in Bournemouth tonight to support Adam and his work. This was booked quite a few weeks ago and I didn't want to let anyone down."

Hatton was made an MBE in the New Year Honours in December 2006 and the following month regained the IBF light-welterweight title in a points win over Juan Urango, also in Las Vegas.

It was the first time Hatton had met Sir Henry, who said he'd been watching Hatton's career with interest.

The two men and Frank Bruno teamed up as a stream of guests at the dinner queued up to have their picture taken with the trio.

For more information about the Murry Foundation, visit its website, themurryfoundation.com.