Ricky Hatton Says He Has A “Sneaking Feeling” He’ll Fight Again

by James Slater – Ricky Hatton has made it perfectly clear that he will not be rushed into making a decision as to whether or not he will fight again. The 30-year-old “Hitman,” in a exclusive interview yesterday with Mirror.co.uk, did say, though, that he has a “sneaking feeling” he will indeed box on. It has been almost four months since Hatton was brutally knocked out by pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, yet Hatton said yesterday that it could be as much as a further five months before he makes up his mind completely about what he will do.. Ricky was visited last week by the great Muhammad Ali, and some writers have suggested that the Manchester hero should think deeply about the terrible condition Ali is in today, and take this as a warning to all fighters who carry on too long.

Ricky, though, says there are way too may experts around the sport of boxing today.

“I’ve got a sneaking feeling I’ll probably give it another go,” Hatton said to Mirror Sport. “Everybody becomes an expert all of a sudden. But Muhammad Ali’s illness is a bit of a one-off case. It’s sad to see him at times, but nobody knows me better than I know myself. I’ve got a good team and family around me.”

And though Hatton has not yet arrived at a decision, he has argued his case for carrying on, saying how two of his own heroes (Roberto Duran and the recently deceased Arturo Gatti) were able to come back well from devastating losses.

“Many great fighters, such as Arturo Gatti and Roberto Duran, have had crushing defeats and come back to win titles. I’ll make my decision when I feel like it. When I’ve had a bit of a break and re-charged the batteries I might get itchy feet and give it a go. It could be two, three, four, five months before I decide.”

Hatton hasn’t gone as far as even dropping one name when it comes to just who he’d like to fight against if he does come back, but it’s no secret that Juan Diaz – recent controversial points winner over a disgruntled Paulie Malignaggi – has called Hatton out. Amir Khan is another possibility, although Ricky has made it clear he and not Frank Warren would have to promote the fight.

Another opponent being bandied around as a comeback foe for Hatton is the loser, not the winner, of the upcoming Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez clash. As popular as he is, Hatton could in all likelihood be able to fight anyone he chose in his comeback – if he actually does embark upon one. I for one think he will be back, probably around spring of next year.