So Ricky Hatton confirmed what everyone already knew this week when he said he would have “one more fight”. In fact, he will have at least one more fight, as he will not make up his mind until after his comeback as to whether this will be a farewell fight or not. The old saying “always leave them wanting more” (credited to both Walt Disney and Charlie Parker) seldom applies in boxing.
There have been many people very forthright in their views that Hatton, a former world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight, should not come back after being knocked unconscious by Manny Pacquiao last May. I am not among them. But I would be interested in hearing what Ricky feels he can still achieve in the ring.
I can fully understand Ricky not wanting the final note of his illustrious career being spent flat out on his back. I also understand him not wanting to be bullied into a decision he does not want to make. But I would like to know what his aims are for his comeback. His last aim, of being world pound-for-pound number one, is just not credible any more.
Prior to his bout with Pacquiao, he said the only fights he was interested in would be Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr – the only other boxer to beat him – or Juan Manuel Marquez. The first two of those now seem desperately far-fetched.
Marquez is a name that has long been mentioned – it was even said that an agreement had been signed, although Marquez has recently been linked to a May bout in Las Vegas. Hatton said he wanted to face a world champion or boxer in the pound-for-pound top ten, a somewhat ambitious target some might say. Then he mentioned Juan Urango, the IBFlight-welterweight champion from Colombia, whom he beat on a virtual shut-out in 2006. Maybe fighting a guy whom he is certain he can beat is the way forward.
Of course, the sexy longer-term option could be Amir Khan, not that the late May-early June schedule for Hatton would fit in with his plans.
Khan has been ordered to defend his WBA title against Marcos Maidana, despite rumours suggesting he could go for other targets. Khan was due to meet with Frank Warren, the promoter, this week ahead of a purse bid for the Maidana bout scheduled for Monday.
Of course, should Khan retain his title and Hatton beat someone like Urango, a huge showdown for two titles lies in wait. The pair have regularly described the other as a friend, but the bout certainly seems less preposterous than it did a year ago. Up and coming fighters have always found it profitable to pick over the bones of heroes who are on the slide.
Hatton’s decision to return is a complete U-turn from last summer, when he was telling friends he was likely to retire, fearing he could no longer take a punch. That remains a concern to everyone, while some believe he has little chance of making the 10st light-welterweight limit again, having blown up to several stone above the limit.
But he’s only 31 and while his best days could be behind him, his win over Paulie Malignaggi at the end of 2008 wasn’t the performance of a boxer who looked finished. That Malignaggi was being considered for both Pacquiao and Mayweather recently after beating Juan Diaz, shoaws that it is still top-class form. What could be of concern is that too many excuses are being made for the loss to Pacquiao (some have put the blame on Floyd Mayweather Sr, his now ex-trainer, in the same way as Hatton’s loss to Mayweather Jr was blamed on Billy Graham). Pacquiao(and Mayweather) simply had Hatton’s number.
However, like Oscar De La Hoya during the early days of Golden Boy, Hatton the boxer remains the biggest asset for Hatton Promotions, his fledgling company. By boxing on, Hatton Promotions, who have an eight-fight deal with Sky Sports, will have another pay-per-view show to negotiate with Sky.
Or maybe Hatton is just bored. The itch to box on stays with most fighters. But “one more fight” can often be one too many.
