Hatton set to fight again

James Robson

November 18, 2009

| Submit Comments | Comments (20) | Previous | Next

RICKY Hatton is set to make his long-awaited return to the ring with a super clash with Juan Manuel Marquez lined up for next year.

The 31-year-old Hitman has been out of action since his knockout by pound-for-pound number one, Manny Pacquiao, in May, but is ready to pull on the gloves at least one more time as he looks to end his career on a high.

The City of Manchester Stadium is being considered as a possible venue – but Hatton has long dreamed of fighting in front of a sell out Wembley.

Venues and dates are still to be decided, but Hatton’s US promoters, Golden Boy, are confident they have put together a package to tempt the former multiple world champion to postpone plans of retirement.

Hatton has remained tight-lipped about his future and there is still no official word from his camp.

But last week he dropped his biggest hint yet that he is not ready to call time on his stunning career, saying: “Maybe next year we might give it another go. We’ll have to wait and see.”

A clash with Marquez, who lost on points in Floyd Mayweather’s comeback fight in September, would be a mouth-watering bout that could sell out on both sides of the Atlantic.

The 36-year-old Mexican is rated as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world and has twice taken Pacquiao the distance, drawing once and losing to the Filipino.

Hatton Promotions chief executive Gareth Williams said: “If Ricky does carry on it would be an ideal fight for him to take on Marquez. He is an elite fighter, just like Ricky, who will want to challenge the best.

“It makes far more sense to fight Marquez than some of the other names that have been bandied about.”

| Submit Comments | Comments (20) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 20 and replies | View All

BlueBoy1 , Bolton (18/11/2009 at 12:31)

End his career on a high? More likely to end it on the canvas Ricky - hang up the gloves mate and concentrate on promotion and the after dinner circuit.

blaine stewart (18/11/2009 at 12:57)

i love ricky, but everyone knows it is time for him to hang up his gloves.

bluejon71 (18/11/2009 at 12:58)

Many people, myself included, believe Hatton should not be fighting on after he was brutally exposed by Pacquiao. He is a rich man, has a good family and with his faculties intact and thriving businesses he seems well placed to make the transition into an ex fighters life. What i cant argue with though is that in pure selfish terms this is good for boxing. While Pacquiao and Mayweather are in a league of their own, there are still some genuinely intriguing fights for Ricky, no more than Marquez. I cant see this fight as being anything but an exciting tear up. I was always a huge Hatton fan and felt he was a world class fighter. My opinion of him became a bit tainted however when he sacked Billy Graham, the cracks had already started to show prior to Grahams departure but i didnt see any improvement under Mayweather Snr. Ricky has come under a bit of critism of late, particularly in the Manchester area, his lifestyle and general demeanor have led people to suspect that he maybe isnt the grounded local boy done good after all. Maybe some of this critism may be bourne out of jealousy but i dont feel he has done himself any favours. His lifestyle between fights has in my opinion had a huge effect on his performances in the ring. This time he has become grossly out of condition and obviously need to work hard to get himself back into shape, but at 31 and only 2 losses on his record against 2 of the greatest fighters of this or any other generation, why should'nt he carry on?

United 18, Huddersfield Town 3, City 2 (League Titles), Wilmslow (18/11/2009 at 13:32)

The balooning up between fights for Ricky has clearly affected his longevity in boxing and for me should of quit after fight Malinaggi - which is his level of fighter. Fair enough he wanted to test himself against the best which is Mayweather and Pacquiao but came up short. A fight against JMM is a good choice as he's a big name and in Ricky's league however he should definitely retire now, i've never seen him this big before he's at around 170lbs and to drop down to 140 would be too much although the fight could take place at welter.

Do us all a favour Ricky and retire its no biggee with the only blemishes on your record against 2 all time top 10 fighters, you've got nothing to prove

PatBlackFlash (18/11/2009 at 14:47)

Both are well past their best and both were totally outclassed in their last fights. This IBO title fight means nothing on the world boxing scene.

Not for me, but I am sure there are plenty of 'mugs punters' ready to part with their hard-earned money.

die hard utd09, manchester (18/11/2009 at 14:54)

seen him the other day on telly, he looked like a sumo wrestler than a boxer. hang up your gloves or get a last beating from aMIR KHAN

jordy, Middleton (18/11/2009 at 15:49)

Not a headline I wanted to read. Why? Look at Mayweather Jnr. and Pacquiao. Both are roughly the same age as Hatton, but look at the difference. I can't believe how bloated Ricky is, it's the biggest I've ever seen him. He shouldn't be fighting again, at 31, a rich man, a good family, and an excellent gym. Most important of all, he still has his facilties.

Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (18/11/2009 at 16:48)

Ricky could have been the tops but he doesn't take his body seriously
enought between fights. That said, Paquiao has since destroyed everything
in front of him, so looking back, Ricky was beaten by true class, nothing
to be ashamed of really. Ricky is still a top boxer and a great entertainer with his swashbuckling fighting style. I'd like to see him
keep fighting but to come to grips with what it takes to keep a body in
world class condition. The man needs to visit the nutritionists at Old
Trafford, they would get him where he needs to be.
Up the Reds!

The Silky Blue Moon. Anything that is possible no matter how unlikely, happens all the time, Manchester (18/11/2009 at 16:54)

It depends on whether he has been looking after himself?.

big g, sale (18/11/2009 at 17:58)

Don`t do it Ricky, do not want to see you getting hurt. bluejon71 summed the situation up very well. Quit now.

A Salfordian, salford (18/11/2009 at 21:13)

Ricky should get himself fit batter Amir Khan then retire.

Unite against the UAF (19/11/2009 at 00:09)

Fight who you want Ricky, I'm not interested but please stay away from the pitch at half time at Eastlands.

The City Chippy, Sydney (19/11/2009 at 00:12)

One minute here, Marquez isnt he Welterwieght? Think hatton should pick on someone his own size - Valuev?

Gerry Gow's jockstrap (19/11/2009 at 00:22)

Do not know ricky myself, but he comes across as a great person. He must hang his glooves up now. He does not need the money & does not want to take the chance of going out on his back. His name will get him a top fight. But to me he has been a great entertainer, but not a great boxer. Retire Ricky & go forward with what you say you want to do - promoter. With your personality I am sure you can make it to the top with this.

Wayne, The Crown, Brisbane (19/11/2009 at 03:25)

Watching Pacqiao and Cotto at the weekend, it was obvious that the early knockout in his last fight saved Ricky from a very serious beating. It was also obvious after just a couple of rounds that Ricky isn't in Cotto's class either. Like most mancunians and city fans I think the world of Ricky so I hope this doesn't happen. Time to retire. I recently saw Parky's one man show here in Brisbane and Ali featured significantly as you'd expect but seeing the deterioration in him across a short burst of clips spanning 20 years was horrifying.

Proper Sentences (19/11/2009 at 08:31)

He will get flattened big time and be remembered as a failed fighter when he was superb in reality, mind you the £2million he will get for fighting probably 5 or 6 minutes will help him overcome that

Marquis de Sade et la petit monge tout (19/11/2009 at 09:45)

Look at Ricky now;He's fat again. You just can't do that at unless you are one of the bigger guys. The only way he might do it is by allowing six months to lose the weight and get some brutal and realistic sparring in. Chirs Eubank was correct recently when he said that you have to win the battle in the gym. When I saw Ricky in the weigh in before his last fight I could tell by his face that he had lost the fight. He needs to win the fight before he can win the fight just like Haye did with Valuev. Much of it is psychology; I bet Valuev thought after the first round ' oh no ! This guy thinks he can win !' Nigel Benn employed a perfect tactic before the tragic fight with Gerald McClellan. He had hypnosis and won the fight in his head. Hence after the first round onslought, similar to Ricky's last experience in the ring, he smiled and carried on with the plan, refusing to be beaten. He could do this because he had already won the fight in his head and had prepared himself to perfection physically.

boxer Ndou (19/11/2009 at 11:34)

Ricky why don't you try an old man Lovemore N'dou he needs you?, it would be a great fight

Hands of Stone, Southside (23/11/2009 at 22:22)

Did you see him on the telly recently? when his brother embarassed himself with his complete lack of style and class in and out of the ring? Looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack, it was pretty scary to see him all blotchy pig skinned and sweating. I really hope he's ok and sorts his lifestyle out before he sorts a fight out. He's struggling for me and looks like he's got a bigger battle out of the ring - hope he's ok

lakey180, levenshulme (07/12/2009 at 20:18)

one more fight ricky .amir ,make a few million and leave it there .

()

Report

Boxing