RICKY HATTON FIGHTS ON
Hitman ready for Manchester comeback later this year
TEARS WE GO - Ricky Hatton's girlfriend Jennifer Dooley shows the pain of his defeat to Pacquiao
RICKY HATTON has decided to fight on following his two-round loss to Manny Pacquiao last month.
The Hitman, 30, is likely to return in his hometown Manchester later this year but it is still unclear whether that bout will be a farewell fight or a final world title assault.
The former world light-welterweight and welterweight champion still wants to prove himself as an elite fighter.
Hatton has been beaten just twice in 47 fights but both setbacks came on the biggest nights of his career - against Floyd Mayweather Jnr in December 2007 and against the Filipino eight weeks ago.
A leading ring source said: "Ricky doesn't take anything away from Floyd and Manny but he feels there were things that didn't help his performances. He believes he can still offer something and wants to have at least one more fight."
Hatton's decision will disappoint his mum Carol and fiancée Jennifer Dooley, who are keen for the popular Brit to hang up his gloves. Hatton spent three weeks contemplating his future in Tenerife after admitting he was "embarrassed" by the bombshell loss to Pacquiao.
Hurdles
What worried him the most was putting his body through weeks of torture to get down to the 10st light-welter limit. He might return at welterweight.
Hatton will insist on a tough comeback opponent and one possibility is his former sparring partner Steve Forbes, who went 12 rounds with Oscar de la Hoya 14 months ago.
A fight with Amir Khan is also being mooted, but there are plenty of hurdles to be overcome before the two friends can even negotiate. Trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr will be replaced by Lee Beard, who trains Ricky's younger brother Matthew.
This article has 11 comments
I think it's too early for Ricky Hatton to hang up his gloves. He's a world class boxer. As a matter of fact, he's still on his prime. Getting defeated twice is all right in the sport of boxing. Learn from defeat, simple as that. Manny Pacquiao has got 3 defeats, 1 from Morales & 2 during the infancy of his career. Look where he is now. He's the pound for pound king! Ricky is going to win over Steve or Amir, 140lbs. or 147lbs. I can assure that.
By Ceasar T.. Posted September 2 2009 at 2:33 PM.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HATTON COME BACK DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE THINK I THINK HE IS IN HIS PRIME. I MEAN LOOK AT HIS TWO LOSSES I MEAN COME ON NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF SHAKE IT OFF AND COME BACK SWINGING.
By allen cady. Posted July 2 2009 at 11:03 PM.
hatton will just make a fool of him self and will finally prove he was the most over hyped boxer ever.Take the money and run hatton and hang on to the little bit of dignity you have left.
By marcus. Posted June 30 2009 at 11:57 AM.
i am glad Hatton is back because i did not want to see him go out the way he did - he needs to get in contact with Bernard Hopkins trainer NAZIM RICHARDSON and see if he would help him train
By David. Posted June 28 2009 at 5:26 PM.
Ha Ha what is the Hitman state of mind ?
Hatton is not a Weltaweight - whatever that is
He should come back at welter and watch the speed and power return..... I want what you having pal - Have you seen his 2 fights @ Welter ??
By Dan. Posted June 28 2009 at 12:29 PM.
i think the hatton and khan fight is on the cards as it would bring in so much money and thats what it all comes down to.i really belive khan would do a number on hatton as he aint very good with fast fighters and khan is very fast.
By mick. Posted June 28 2009 at 9:49 AM.
Ricky Hatton would beat Khan and Witter, he would be back in the spot light again and I think the hitman is still one of the top fighters in the world, give him some time to prove himself to the world, there's no point for him to retire at 30 in his prime. All Hatton fans need to remenber the big wins by Hatton like against Malignaggi,Urango, Collazo,Castillo. I know the last lost brings up Questions about Hatton and the big question Is Hatton a good of a boxer than we think he is. well look at the facts he face P4P champ Manny Pacquiao look at he beat he beat Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Morales, David Diaz, and De La Hoya. All I'm saying is Hatton has mature from the Pacquiao fight he understands why he lost Mayweather and Pacquiao and he will be back to his Hitman state of mind.
By Alex. Posted June 28 2009 at 7:59 AM.
Khan and Witter are not in the same league as Hatton-why whould he waste his time, however i would love him to see him smash both Khan and Witter.
if he fights again he should come back at welter weight and just watch the power and speed return
come on the hitman
By Barbara Woodhouse. Posted June 28 2009 at 4:23 AM.
I Think Hatton Should NOT Fight Khan And Witter as he would almost certainly lose again
By Keith Price. Posted June 28 2009 at 1:43 AM.
I Think Hatton Should Fight And Beat Khan And Witter To Prove Hes Still The Best Weltaweight We Have!!!!
By Carl B. Posted June 28 2009 at 12:50 AM.
i would love to see hatton smash khan to bits in a open air wembley stadium. shame khan will get exposed before this in his next fight but if im wrong lets see what happens when hatton hits khan on the chin khan is the most over hyped boxer ever in my opinion he has beat no one and a win over barrea on cuts does not count in my book he nearly lost to a past it micheal gomez who would have beat him in his prime
By evil c. Posted June 27 2009 at 11:53 PM.