05.07.08 – by James Slater – As one of the most popular fighters to have come from Britain in many years, it will be a sad day in the U.K when Ricky Hatton calls it quits and retires from boxing. And in a recent interview with BBC Hatton let it be known that that time may not be too far away..
Hatton informed the BBC he plans to face Paulie Malignaggi in November, then, should he be successful there, finish off his fine career in grand style by facing either Manny Pacquiao or Oscar De La Hoya – hopefully at Wembley. After having done this, Ricky says he will feel satisfied and ready to hang up his gloves.
“I don’t want to go on forever and would have done everything I dreamed of, so two more fights and then I think I’m done,” Hatton told the BBC. “I’ll fight Paulie Malignaggi in November in Las Vegas again, so I’ll be able to take my wonderful fans over there again and if I win that, then it’ll be my eighth world title.” [Then] in the new year I’m hoping to fight either Manny Pacquiao or Oscar De La Hoya at Wembley Stadium in front of 100,000 people and after that I’ll probably retire.”
Hatton is certainly planning on going out with a bang. The Malignaggi fight, while not exactly a super-fight, is definitely an intriguing affair and pretty much a pick ’em fight at that. But the two greats “The Hitman” has in his sights for his very last bout have everything that is required to make a genuine blockbuster. It’s doubtful Hatton will get De La Hoya, though – what with “The Golden Boy” already having made it clear he will fight no more after 2008. But a Hatton-Pacquiao clash, having already been seriously discussed by the Filipino megastar and his promoter Bob Arum, could definitely happen.
That huge event would likely be favoured to take place in Las Vegas, so Hatton may have to forget about his farewell bout taking place on home soil. But wherever the fight took place it would be a sure sell-out. The action would be first-rate, too. Pacquiao is never in a bad fight, and Hatton is still capable of thrilling his adoring army of fans.
He’s been a great champion already, and when Hatton does finally fight his last contest his fans will realise what they are going to miss. In short, Ricky Hatton is a fighter that will take some following. Let’s enjoy him while he’s still here and performing I say.