Ricky Hatton fighting for redemption

By RICHARD McCARTHY
Published on 15/09/2012 01:32

Ricky Hatton will attempt to earn the nation’s pride again after seeing his life “turn to mush” in the three years since he last fought.

The British fighter has suffered a series of well-publicised issues in his private life since his last fight saw him knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in their IBO light-welterweight title fight in Las Vegas. And Hatton insists he did not want to see those 
demons tarnish his legacy in the sport, with another world title belt in his sights.

He said: “It’s been well documented what’s happened to me since the last time you saw me in a boxing ring. I suffered a two-round demolition to Manny Pacquiao in my last fight and nobody wants to see their 
career end that way. Consequently it pushed me into retirement which I never really wanted to do, and what happened to me in the last three years came because of what happened to me in that fight and the manner of that defeat.”

Hatton was the subject of 
allegations of cocaine abuse two years ago and within days he was admitted to a rehabilitation facility. Drink and depression were major issues for Hatton at the time. “I don’t want people telling my kids that I blew it,” Hatton said yesterday as it was announced he would return to the ring on 24 November in Manchester. “I want my kids to be able to say, ‘He was a world champion, he had his problems, but my did he bounce back’. I want people to be proud of me again. I want British sport, my kids and my fans and my friends to be proud of me.”

The Hatton camp were tight-lipped on who his first opponent might be, however Hatton confirmed he would be returning at welterweight and did not rule out the possibility of a fight against fellow Brits Amir Kahn and Kell Brook at some point.

“There’s the likes of Paulie Malignaggi who has won a world title at that weight and there’s some great fighters in this country like Amir Khan and Kell Brook, and I won’t lie to you, I would love a run and jump at those lot,” he said.

“But this is more than world titles, it’s about me redeeming myself.”