Ricky Hatton Ready for a Comeback?

Media outlets in the UK are speculating that former junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton is set to make a comeback.

 The rumors began after Hatton confirmed the renewal of his boxing license. The move clears the way for Hatton to return to the ring after suffering a vicious 2nd round KO to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.

“I certainly haven’t announced my retirement and you can never say never,” Hatton explained to News of the World. “I have renewed my boxing license again with the British Boxing Board of Control in case I decide to fight again.”

Hatton has previously stated he wouldn’t be completely content ending his career with such a dominant defeat. He expressed the desire of wanting to go out with a slugfest war as did Kostya Tszyu with him in 2005. But the 32 year old former champion has now entered promotions, and is in the first year of an eight year contract with Sky Sports. The commitment would make it exceedingly difficult to expand his newfound business while continuing a fight career.

“”There are not many promoters in the world who have done what I’ve achieved in their first 12 months so it can only go from strength to strength,” the 32-year-old said.”In 10 years I see myself as the best promoter in the country and still being as enthusiastic then as I am now – whether it is a four-round kid having his first fight or our Matthew (Ricky’s younger brother),” Hatton explained.”Every promoter starting out says they want to be the biggest and the best. If you don’t have those ambitions don’t bother in the first place. As a boxer I wanted to be the best fighter in the world and now my aim is to be the best promoter in the world.”

If Hatton does return, his focus will be on a UK showdown with his heir apparent, current WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan. The 23 year old fighter made his U.S. debut by TKO’ing Paulie Malignaggi in May. Hatton also knocked out Malignaggi in 2008.

“People have talked about a fight between Ricky and Amir. The answer is: Who knows?” a Hatton representative cryptically told The Mirror.

Ricky Hatton’s professional record is 45-2 (32 KOs), with his two losses coming to the consensus top two fighters in the sport: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

*****************************************************

I like Ricky Hatton and enjoyed the majority of his fights (loved the electric crowds against Mayweather and Tszyu). But he is clearly past it and does not need to take any further punishment.

I saw Hatton at the Mayweather-Mosley fight and he was well above 140 pounds. In fact, I think he was near or over 200 pounds. Trying to come back at 140 would do his body no favors. In addition, since the 2007 Mayweather KO Hatton’s punch resistance has noticably dropped. In his first fight following Mayweather he was stunned badly against Juan Lazcano. And everyone remembers the Pacquiao KO (except maybe Ricky, he was OUT).

An Amir Khan fight would have been great if they were both prime. But with slower footwork, an underrated Hatton skill, and a diminished chin, Ricky would be easy pickings for the young Khan.

I think the only fight I’d like to see Hatton come back for is Junior Witter. That fight should’ve happened long ago, and both are finished as elite fighters. Other than that, Hatton should enjoy retirement and keep a promotional eye out for the next Khan, Calzaghe, or Lewis.

Hatton to Witter- “To be honest, you sell no tickets. You’ve been a little bit boring in the past…”