Ricky Hatton has been asked to consider making a shock comeback for a mega-fight against the legendary Oscar De La Hoya.
The Manchester Hitman has not fought since being knocked unconscious by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas 18 months ago.
He would also have to reapply to the British Board of Control for his boxer’s license, which they revoked following a newspaper expose alleging that he snorted cocaine in a Manchester hotel.
But Hatton has still not formally retired and after coming through rehab he is working hard at his new gymnasium and health club in Hyde.
The De La Hoya proposal was put to him during Haye-Harrison fight week. It was made by Robert Diaz, an executive of Golden Boy promotions, on his visit to Manchester.
Diaz said: ‘This would be a huge event which we believe would fill a football ground here in England.’
That would certainly be the case at Eastlands, the home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City, where he is still said to hanker for one last grand hurrah.
De La Hoya would also have to be tempted out of his own retirement which he announced after being stopped by Pacquiao in December 2008.
But the Golden Boy’s eponymous company believe a valedictory fight before a huge crowd in England has always appealed to him.
Hatton would have to convince the Board that he is not only drugs clean but living more healthily than in the more recent years of his career.
However, he looked fit and well at ringside for the big non-fight on Saturday night and is said to be exercising and striving to reign back his old booze and binge habits between fights.
While many of his thousands upon thousands of fans might be among those alarmed at the notion of him returning to the ring, some close to Hatton believe that boxing again would help give him the discipline required for a healthier life.
There has been no response from Hatton thus far but whenever the suggestion of a comeback arises he always says: ‘Never say never. I may get the urge again.’
Whatever the ethics of such a move or the qualms of the boxing authorities, there is no doubt that Ricky Hatton’s blue-and-white army would be marching again in full voice and force.
Up for an Oscar: De La Hoya (left) quit the ring in April last year could be back against Hatton
Our readers are virtually unanimous in their condemnation of Audley Harrison’s wretched challenge for David Haye’s world heavyweight title but the figures were not quite so overwhelming when you joined in our pre-fight poll as to who would win.
While 76 per cent voted for Haye, 21 per cent did go for Harrison, with the odd three per cent plumping for the draw.
My thanks to the 7,000 of you who took part.
