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Following his humiliating defeat at the hands of Pound for Pound King Manny Pacquiao most in the boxing world begged Ricky Hatton to call to an end what had been one of the most successful and entertaining careers of any British fighter. Yet 8 months on from those two gruelling rounds in Las Vegas, The Hitman has announced his return to the ring, much to the dismay of most boxing pundits.
"I'm going to have one more fight, maybe two - it depends on the first fight," said Hatton.
The manor in which Hatton was so brutally knocked out by the Filipino back in May last year suggested Hatton’s time at the time was no longer. Caught by a flashing right hook in the very first round, Hatton then was pole-axed in the second with a huge left. Various leading figures within the world of Boxing spoke of the concern in which Hatton was so brutally defeated. Yes Pacquiao was without doubt the best fighter around, with Floyd Mayweather Jr in retirement at the time. It was the fact that Hatton was so easily dismantled and made to look so mediocre was the most disappointing outcome from the contest.
Currently holding an overall record of 45 wins and two defeats in his glittering career, for many Hatton risks being remember more for the losses to Mayweather and Pacquiao than the achievements he obtained in the ring. The defining fight of his career was the destruction of Australian Kostya Tszyu in 2005, a fight which catapulted Hatton onto the world stage and won him the 2005 Ring Magazine fighter of the year. Added to that was the impressive stoppage of José Luis Castillo and Paulie Malignaggi and Hatton holds an impressive resume. Hatton’s response to his critics was that the victory over Malignaggi was one of the most convincing of his career and was only five months before his defeat to the Pac Man.
"It was only in my previous fight a few months earlier that I put in one of my best performances against [Paulie] Malignaggi. All of a sudden they think I'm past it in the next five months.”
said Hatton.
Hatton blames his last defeat on peaking too soon under the vigorous training regime of Floyd Mayweather Snr. Others point out at that the punch resistance has gone from a fighter who throughout his career was happy to take two punches at a time in order to return one. That aggressive style is what made Hatton such a young appealing fighter. He fought with his heart on his sleeve and promised 12 round of high intensity action. Yet when Hatton faced Floyd Mayweather Jr in the fight dubbed ‘undefeated’ Hatton faced an opponent who was not only able to exploit Hatton’s weaknesses but adapt his game plan to Hatton’s one dimensional style. Similarly Hatton’s insistence to come forward led to Pacquiao picking out Hatton and sending him to the canvas.
The Hitman always reiterates that Referee Joe Cortez never allowed him to fight his fight against Floyd Mayweather. As much as this may have been the case Hatton continued to employ the same style he was convinced could bring him victory and his aggressive style allowed his heart to rule his head against Mayweather and the Pac Man. It certainly seems that Hatton wants to be able to retire in the knowledge that those two losses on his record were warranted. This is something Hatton is not prepared to let go without another crack. Only this seems to be a feasible explanation as to why the Manchester born fighter feels the need to continue despite having already been a two-time IBO and IBF Light Welterweight Champion and the former WBU, WBA Light Welterweight champion as well as WBC, WBA, WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Champion and former Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion.
Many fighters before Hatton have carried on much longer then they needed to. Greats such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran did not know when to quit. Despite their status in Boxing history being unquestioned they went on far too long. Even today Evander Holyfield continues to fight at the age of 47, in search of a Fifth world title despite having not been involved in a fight of any significance since facing Lennox Lewis in 1999. Hatton for many does not need to continue like those who felt they should before him. The wish to end a career on a victorious high is the fairytale ending all fighters dream of yet its not always a reality. Fellow Brit Joe Calzaghe retired on top as he knew it was the right thing to do. He has beaten all opponents put in his way and had no more to prove in the sport. Calzaghe had me a good living as a fighter and realised that there is life outside the ring. The Welshman has gone on to form Calzaghe promotions just as Hatton himself seemingly appeared to be seeking a new direction in his life with his very own Hatton Promotions.
Despite the calls for retirement many surely knew deep down that Hatton would inevitably want to give it one more shot. The question remains who is there to fight? A rematch with either Mayweather or Pacquiao seems way off following the manor of both defeats. Even talks of all British contest with Amir Khan is highly unlikely with the difference in opinion between Hatton and Khan’s promoter Frank Warren. For now rumours suggest a meeting with Juan Manuel Marquez is on the cards, the man who Floyd Mayweather successfully defeated on his return to action.
Hatton is without doubt the most popular fighter of his generation attracting huge audiences worldwide to his bouts. His displays at times have been outstanding reinstating his undeniable talent. Yet Hatton looked like a lost soul after his last defeat. There will be those who feel that should be enough, Hatton on the other hand feels the only way to answer the debate is to continue. His family strongly support his decision despite his father Ray Hatton admitting it was a decision he had hoped he would never see. 2010 is billed to be a big year in boxing. Will it be remembered for the glorious return to the ring for one of Britain’s greats? Or another devastating end? Only time will tell but the signs for now suggest it is an unnecessary comeback.