ROONEY IN VEGAS

Last updated : 25 June 2007 By Ed
Wayne Rooney was in Las Vegas over the weekend watching his friend, Ricky Hatton, fight against Mexican Luis Castillo. Rooney carried Hatton's IBO belt to the ring and was in awe of the whole event.

"I was terribly nervous, more than I am when I pull on an England shirt. I was in awe of it all.

"It was a pleasure for me to be out here with Ricky and to carry the belt in the ring was a great honour. It was a big experience. I was overjoyed. It was brilliant — no, absolutely fantastic.

"It is my first time in Las Vegas. And what a really great place it is."

Rooney spent most of the fight out of his front-row seat as he yelled encouragement to his pal — who supports United's arch rivals Manchester City.

"In the dressing room before, I just stayed out of the way as I know when I play I want to get focused. But during the fight I was jumping up and down."

Teammates Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and John O'Shea also swelled the ringside crowds — as did Chelsea's Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips plus Shaun's brother Bradley, a Southampton star.