DALLAS–By now, you know what KTFO stands for.
It’s not the call letters of some radio station west of the Mississippi.
But I think we need a new boxing acronym to describe the longterm effect of guys who Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao has blasted into other lines of work.
First, Pacman made an arrogant Oscar de la Hoya quit on his stool. It was not long after that hiding that ODLH packed it in, quitting boxing without any reservations.
Now according to British press reports, Ricky Hatton, turned into a pancake by Manny in less than six minutes, is also ready to hang up the gloves.
In a story written by reliable Niall Hickman in the Daily Express, it is reported that a vacationing in Tenerife, Spain, Hatton told his pals that he was done with boxing at least as a fighter.
The report of Hatton finally throwing in the towel had his promotional aide, Gareth Williams, backpedaling furiously and saying nothing was official until Hatton made such statements in “the clear light of day,” whatever that means.
Pudgy, battle scarred Ricky Hatton reportedly set to do what Oscar de la Hoya did after hiding by Manny Pacquiao, retire from the boxing ring (Daily Express Photo)
Maybe, like Oscar, Hatton will turn his full attention to promoting. But it’s clear that the recent defection of trainer Lee Beard, who left Ricky and Matthew Hatton, to train Joan Guzman has hit Ricky hard.
Hatton must wonder why a trainer he brought into the international limelight shows so little faith in him fighting onward?
So I suggest, with Ricky’s intelligent retirement imminent, a new acronym KFIR, for knocked the flock into retirement.
It’s not beyond belief that, given the opportunity, that the always improving Pacman might give unbeaten but aging rapidly Floyd Mayweather the same treatment.
If that happens, I will urge the International Boxing Hall Of Fame to scrap the five year waiting period and induct Megmanny instantly.
Never say never.
Remember, Oscar and Hatton said never and they had to seek different employment.
