by James Slater – As has been previously reported, 31-year-old former world light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton is currently in talks with Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, and a possible 2010 fight between the two is being discussed. And while the fans appear to be something close to split down the middle when it comes to either being in favour of Hatton’s planned comeback or against it, two experts definitely are of a differing opinion about the idea.
Promoter Frank Warren, who used to promote “The Hitman,” is against the idea of Hatton fighting again, telling The Mirror that in his opinion, the popular Manchester warrior is finished at world level. Warren also questioned whether Hatton would be able to get down to 140-pounds for a return..
“If he could make light-welterweight, I could make flyweight,” Warren said. “He is carrying about 14 stone (approx 200 pounds) at the moment and if he could make that weight [140] my experience tells me that he would be a gift for Amir.”
Of course, Hatton isn’t looking at a fight with Amir Khan, at least not yet. Instead he is talking with Marquez about a fight in the U.K. But Warren is certainly correct when it comes to the excess poundage Hatton is carrying today. Could Ricky get rid of the flab, while managing to have enough energy left for the actual comeback fight itself? Or would Hatton be weakened after having worked so hard to get back down to his ideal fighting weight?
It’s clear what Warren thinks, but WBA light-welterweight champion Khan says he is in favour of a Hatton return.
“I think he should come back,” Khan told The Mirror. “He doesn’t want to walk away on the back of a defeat. A lot of people would like to see me fight him and we will have to see where we are. I think he should come back and get over that knockout defeat with maybe one more fight. He is still young. He’s not too old. He still has it in him.”
Certainly, Khan would relish the idea of facing Hatton in what would be an all-British super-fight. But nobody knows yet how much Hatton has left. Also, he has yet to officially announce any comeback.
Golden Boy are hoping the Marquez fight will happen, though, and Oscar De La Hoya is excited about the prospect of Hatton Vs. Marquez.
“Marquez has no problem travelling to Manchester to face Hatton,” Oscar said. “It will be a great fight. It will be one of those fights where whoever the winner is, is back. Back on top of the world and can go on fighting bigger fights and being on bigger events.”
So, everyone, it seems, has an opinion on Ricky’s planned return to the ring and his possibility of getting it on with Marquez. Everyone except Hatton himself, that is. We have yet to hear the former champion speak about his plans for next year.