Ricky Hatton likely to fight again, will decide in February
by Scott Christ on Dec 7, 2009 3:42 PM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
Email
Print
Former world junior welterweight champion Ricky "Hitman" Hatton has been rumored to be coming back to boxing in 2010, and while it does appear likely he'll take at least one more fight, he'll make it official one way or the other in February.
Ricky Hatton will announce in February whether or not he plans to return to the ring, a spokesman said today , adding, "but Amir Khan is not on his radar at the moment".
The fight that has suddenly become the one British boxing wants, however, after Khan's 76-second blow-out of Dmitriy Salita on Saturday night in defence of his WBA light-welterweight title, will continue to generate speculation until Hatton makes his decision. "Nothing has been decided one way or another," Hatton's PR man, Paul Speak, said.
The Hatton side is downplaying a Khan fight, but Freddie Roach and Khan himself are talking about it a lot. Roach probably doesn't think Hatton can touch his guy -- Khan is younger, taller, longer, far faster, and pretty strong.
Khan says they're friends, but obviously he's willing to take what would be a massive money fight in the UK:
Just two days after defeating New Yorker Dimitriy Salita in his first defence of the title, Khan says he would like to face the Mancunian: "A lot of people want to see the Ricky Hatton fight. We're good friends. I think there's a possibility for that fight to happen. In boxing nowadays any fight is possible."
The Daily Mail says that Juan Manuel Marquez remains the leading candidate for a Hatton return. We know Marquez wants it. It's probably his biggest money fight, and at 36, he might be more concerned with making sure he's got his retirement secure. His legacy is fine.
But if Hatton comes back, don't be fooled into thinking it will just be for one fight, particularly if he were to beat Marquez. At that point, the money in a Hatton-Khan fight could be such that he'd be insane to not make it happen.
26 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
At heavyweight?
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 7, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Marquez for me
Khan is too risky a choice and if Ricky lost then I think it could be seen as a dethroning over here in the UK. Also, I don’t think Khan is deserving of a shot at Ricky yet. A Hatton-Marquez fight at 140 could be an epic brawl. Neither are shot but perhaps not quite as sharp as in years gone by, especially in Ricky’s case.
i think kahn beats hatton everyday of the week, far too fast far too strong and far to easy to catch, you just have to follow the Manny blueprint for fighting Hatton
by Sweet science on Dec 7, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
I think Khan
would have to fight him quite differently actually as I don’t beleive he’ll take Hatton’s punches too well. I still reckon he beats him pretty convincingly though./
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Dec 7, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
Why?
he is still good enough to fight on the world satge and get big paydays.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Dec 7, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
*stage
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Dec 7, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
Indeed!
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 7, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
well
One, he can’t need the money. He promotes now, that’s safer.
Two, he’s had a great career. He’s fallen short to the top 2 p4p in the last decade, but he’s done great and made the most of himself and his ability. Whats the best he’s going to do, clean out the second tier and rematch PBF/Pac again, and get KO?
He has nothing to prove anymore, IMHO
I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘’Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'’ (Bernard Hopkins)
I have no idea....
bizarre
I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘’Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'’ (Bernard Hopkins)
I think Hatton is trying to improve his chin
By hiding it in his neck
by FCF on Dec 7, 2009 6:01 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Hatton is crazy….he is almost (ALMOST) as un-disciplined as “Chimichanga” Arreola, at least between fights. He DOES get in shape for the actual fight, but come on, it HAD to be a strain on your body to gain and lose 35-40 pounds twice a year. Shameful, really,
Man, that’s cold
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 7, 2009 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
Hatton is taking a leaf out of Roy Jones Jr's book...
RJJ thought it was a great idea spending half of his career jumping up and down in weight like a fucking yoyo and look where it got him.
Ricky Hatton could have had so much more longevity if he was more disciplined with his body. All that drinking between fights and the ballooning up and down in weight is ridiculous he’s cutting his career short by god knows how long.
Well there’s not much of a career to prolong now, is there? He’s done. Sure, he may be good for a fight or two more, but really, he’s done.
Ricky’s a tough bastard but the amazing part is how he’s managed to reach as far as he has. If the man wants to fight and can still hang with high calibre sparring partners then good luck to him.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
I really don’t want to see Hatton fight again . He gave me some great nights over the years but it’s over now . I have serious doubts about his punch resistance . When you fight as many fights as Ricky has with that face first defence all those shots you’ve taken down the years start to take their toll . I think he will fight again – just don’t want him to .
I recently read an article where the author who talked to Hatton described him as the most over weight and out of shape looking he’d ever seen him .
Thats not good for a start !!
by Sir Jack Daniels on Dec 8, 2009 7:46 AM EST reply actions
I’m hearin’ ya JD. Should he fight again at top level, you can pretty much guarantee his opponent won’t be letting himself go to shit between fights. Ricky’s thirst is pure Northern lad but his hunger is questionable. Always thought he would’ve done better living and training in the States, away from the Mancunian lure.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
Goatsnake – Hi mate , hope all is well with you . I agree with you – Ricky should have headed for the States and stayed there . The whole “one of the boys – out on the piss again” , pub lifestyle doesn’t exactly fit with being a pro. fighter . Of course there are lots of guys who let themselves go between fights ( Toney and Hatton are the poster boys for that particular thing ) but how much better would things have been if they’d followed the Hopkins or Calzaghe example ?
I thought it was over for Ricky the second he signed with the lunatic Mayweather Snr. BTW .
( I don’t believe for a second Mayweathers influence made any difference in the Paulie fight – Paulie wouldn’t beat Ricky if I was Hattons coach ! )
by Sir Jack Daniels on Dec 8, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
LMFAO JD !! - That photo kills me !!!
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
Marquez should be his opponent
A fight against Marquez would be right up his alley for a come back fight. With both fighters having common ground with losing to the hands of Pacman and Mayweather recently. For Hatton this could be good hype for him and maybe he will better prepare for the fight. Marquez has his urine to count on!!!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
