While Ricky Hatton was limited as a fighter in certain regards, you would be hard-pressed to find a pug as charismatic and with as great of following as the British star. Hatton made a splash with his upset TKO over Kostya Tszyu in June of 2005 and later would introduce himself to American audiences with a wave of electric showcases in the Las Vegas area.
Throughout it all Ricky was an affable guy and someone you couldn?t help wish the best for, in both victory and defeat. Whether he was polishing off Jose Luis Castillo with a crippling body shot at the Thomas & Mack Center or being flattened by Floyd Mayweather, Hatton?s presence was always felt and his adoring fans were by his side every step of the way.
The last time Hatton stepped into the ring also served as the worst defeat of his career as he was starched cold in under two rounds after absorbing a sharp left hand flush on the chin by Filipino star Manny Pacquiao in May of 2009. Pacquiao had a lot of momentum heading into the bout following his shocking victory over Oscar De La Hoya months prior and Hatton was simply out of his league, having no answer for the blinding and stinging shots that were coming his way.
The loss was visibly shattering to Hatton, who had promised his legion of supporters that a victory was undeniable leading into the contest. For a man who places so much stock in those who have his back, Hatton felt crushed that he couldn?t fulfill his promises. The months went by and any thoughts of Hatton returning to the ring seemed like pure speculation more than anything else.
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Adding to the sorrow was the fact that Hatton was involved in an embarrassing cocaine scandal this past September. Hatton was filmed on tape snorting huge lines of the powder inside of a hotel room in Manchester with a female acquaintance of his. The 31-year old Hatton was in the midst of a drinking and drug binge before hitting up the town with some friends.
The fallout from that incident was devastating but it also looks as though it served as a serious wakeup call for Hatton. Recent reports have the British star in much better spirits these days, as he has been spotted training alongside his brother Matthew at Shannon?s Gym in Openshaw right outside of the city. Speaking during an interview with Sky?s Ringside boxing program, Hatton discussed the latest crop of British hopefuls as well as hinting that his career may not yet be finished.
?I?m fantastic,? he claimed. ?I?m in a nice place right now. I?m in the gym again and getting fit. My hands are tied a little at the minute but eventually I will apply for my license and when I do I can make a decision about my future. I?m still involved in boxing. I?m bringing the champions through and am back enjoying life again.?
Throughout his career Hatton has had issues with gaining weight in between fights, a problem that was further heightened during his nearly two-year absence from the sport. Right now he appears to be simply shedding the pounds and admits the rigors of training on a world class level are much more intense. That harsh reality seems to add a touch of hesitation when Hatton speaks on a possible comeback.
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?I don?t know,? he muttered. ?You need that hunger there. I?m training with my brother and Denton Vassell but it is different training to be fit than being in a training camp where you?re dieting and up running at six. I miss [boxing] every day and I can never find the words even to this day to turn around and say it?s over.?
Hatton has been dabbling with a new role of a promoter as of late and it is unsure whether he will ever return to the ring to fight as a professional. Whatever happens you have to like the news that his spirits seemed to be restored following his recent struggles. Boxing is about more than just the two fighters inside of the ring and Hatton?s well-being should be the main concern for the moment.
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
