03.05.09 – by James Slater – Without any doubt at all, Ricky Hatton would be entitled to walk away from the sport that made him rich and famous right now. After suffering the kind of devastating and comprehensive KO defeat he did last night at the hands of the awesome Manny Pacquiao, Hatton could be forgiven for feeling lower than he ever has before. It’s possible the 30-year-old will fight again, perhaps engaging in a “Farewell” type affair some time next year (U.K bookmakers are already offering odds on a Hatton-Khan fight taking place and it’s likely winner).
However, if he listens to his trainer, Floyd Mayweather Senior, Ricky will call it a day and walk away. Twice now he has lost, and both defeats came in what were defining fights. Financially comfortable and rightfully proud of the fact that he won a number of word titles and became the single most popular British boxer in history (perhaps Hatton’s real defining achievement), the Manchester warrior can hold his head up high today.
Hatton’s boxing idol, the great Roberto Duran, was able to come back from a similarly devastating KO loss – against Thomas Hearns – and win another world title. So it can be done. It would be foolish to compare Hatton to the legendary Duran, though. Maybe retirement would be the best move all round for both Hatton and his family (the sheer agony his fiancé went through last night was graphically indicative of how awful it can be watching Hatton if close to him).
Mayweather Senior, who, for whatever reason, failed to see his fighter carry out the pre-fight game-plan that involved head movement and plenty of defensive movement, told SKY Box Office his pupil should hang ’em up.
“I would suggest he retire,” Mayweather Senior said. “At the end of the day it’s his decision. He tried twice. He failed twice. He lost to my son, and to lose to someone below that [Pacquiao], it’s time to leave the ring.”
It is to be hoped that when the trainer refers to Pacquiao as being someone “below” Mayweather Junior, he means in terms of weight, and not talent. However, with Floyd Senior you never know for sure. Maybe Hatton will listen to his advice all the same, though.
Talking after the fight, Hatton assured everyone he was okay, both mentally and physically.
“I didn’t see the shot coming,” Hatton said. “But I’ll be okay.”
Hatton later reportedly told his father Ray that he did not fight the way he’d planned, and that he’d reverted to his old, head-first style.
The victorious Pacquiao said he was surprised the fight was as easy as it was for him.
“I was surprised that this was so easy, but I’ve worked hard in training camp since the beginning of March,” Pacquiao said.
Going in, last night’s battle was seen by many as a close bout to pick. Now, however, Manny and Ricky are two fighters heading in totally different directions – one towards further greatness, the other towards likely retirement.