Mick the cabbie is the driving force behind Ricky

London cabbie Mick Williamson is as familiar with Ricky Hatton's face as he is with every mile of road through the capital.

When not touting for fares, Williamson is king of the cuts men, whose ability to work wonders with a swab-stick can keep a fighter in contention despite his face being a red mess.

Williamson's skill could mean the difference between a glorious victory and bloody defeat for Hatton against IBF light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu at the MEN Arena in Manchester this weekend.

His presence in the early hours of Sunday morning will be vital because Hatton is what is known in boxing as a 'bleeder'. Plastic surgery has helped strengthen the skin around the 26-year-old's eyebrows but his experienced opponent, a 35-year-old Australia-based Russian, is odds-on favourite to inflict Hatton's first defeat in 39 bouts.

Tszyu said: "Ricky has got one weakness and he knows it. He gets cut a lot. I've seen some of his fights and his face was a mess."

The biggest test of Williamson's expertise came two years ago when Hatton fought Vince Phillips, the American who remains the only man to beat Tszyu in his 33-fight career.