Boxing: MAGEE'S PLANNING TO TAKE THE RICKY; Belfast Boxer Says: 'Hatton's Just a lightweight'.(Sport)

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Byline: BILL CLARK

THE Russian sparring partner, Maxim Nesterenko, lay flat on his back, gazing vacantly at the ceiling in John Breen's Belfast gym.

Smelling salts and cold compresses were taking uncommonly long to return the comrade to consciousness.

"Left counter," explained Eamonn Magee, challenger for the WBU light-welterweight title on June 1.

"He walked right on to it. It's the shot that will take out Ricky Hatton in Manchester."

Magee believes he will need a knock-out in the MEN arena.

"It's famous for hometown decisions," says the 30-year-old southpaw. "Last time I was there, I saw a foreign kid get a diabolical …