Ricky Hatton: return is ‘more than a comeback’
Ricky Hatton is returning to the boxing ring in November, two-and-a- half years after his last fight which ended in a devastating two-round knock-out at the hands of Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
The former world welterweight and light-welterweight champion confirmed he was coming out of retirement to fight a so far unnamed opponent in the MEN Arena in his home town of Manchester.
Hatton, whose best performance came in 2005 when he stopped Australia’s Kostya Tszyu to add the IBF light-welterweight title to the WBU belt he already owned, had a perfect 43-0 career record until he was floored by Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas in 2007 and he was never really the same again.
Unconvincing victories followed against Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi but he was outclassed by Pacquiao and after a long period of inactivity he retired in July last year.
The 33-year-old checked into a rehabilitation centre in London in 2010 after being photographed apparently snorting cocaine.
Void
“It’s well documented what’s happened to me, my life turned to mush,” Hatton said.
“I feel I’ve put a bit back into the game but it didn’t fill the void. I got my trainer’s licence and started working in the ring and that started the fires burning and I started looking after myself a bit better and getting fitter.”
“I’m back to fight for world titles,” said Hatton.
“It’s more than a comeback. It’s worth more than money.
“A lot of people have said they don’t want me to tarnish the legacy but they don’t know what goes on between my ears.”
Impressive record
Hatton’s all-action, “guts-and-glory” style endeared him to fans who travelled in their thousands to watch him take on Mayweather. His record was impressive winning 45 of his 47 fights.
But he would often put on large amounts of weight in between fights and made no secret of his liking for a few pints of beer.
Hatton has now overcome his drug and alcohol problems.
Talking about the manner of the defeat against Pacquiao, Hatton explained: “I didn’t want my career to end that way.
“It put me into retirement, which I never wanted to do.”
British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith yesterday revealed Hatton would be granted a new licence upon completion of a medical.
