Hitman ready for challenge

Hatton: Comeback fight

You find out what a man you are and what a boxer you are when you have a few obstacles to climb and that's what I've got now.

Ricky Hatton
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Ricky Hatton will be facing the toughest test of his career in May when he climbs back into the ring again after his first ever defeat.

Hatton's high-profile knockout at the hands of pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jnr in Las Vegas last December was the first blemish on the Mancunian's boxing career.

No longer an undefeated fighter, Hatton says it will be his biggest obstacle lacing the gloves back up as he looks to get back on track following his defeat.

Being back at his natural weight will help, after losing to Mayweather at welterweight, as Hatton thanks his loyal fans with a homecoming fight on May 24, most probably at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Hatton was at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow to support Braveheart Promotion's bill on March 29 which will see local boy Willie Limond take on Martin Watson for the vacant IBO Intercontinental lightweight title.

Challenge

The 29-year-old 'Hitman' says he was determined not to hang up his gloves on the back of a loss, and will face his big challenge head-on.

"Obviously defeat was a hard pill to swallow and a lot of people were saying 'is he going to retire now?'" said Hatton.

"But I don't think you are much of a champion if the first time you get beat, you hang the gloves up.

"It's all about coming back.

"Life's dead easy for everyone, no matter their profession, when it rolls along nice and smooth.

"You find out what a man you are and what a boxer you are when you have a few obstacles to climb and that's what I've got now."

WBC champion Junior Witter has constantly been calling out Hatton, but after his lawyer dismissed the fight, Hatton too insisted the Bradford fighter does not have a chance of being his homecoming opponent.

Not even Witter's desperate attempts of offering to take the minor share of the purse could persuade Hatton - who insists he will only face Witter if and when he chooses.

Homecoming

"There are four or five opponents in the pipeline - Ricardo Torres, Herman Ngoudjo, Juan Lazcano and Kendall Holt," Hatton added.

"They should be announcing it by the end of next week and that is good news for me.

"I will fight Junior Witter when I want to.

"I found it hilarious reading in the paper that he was entitled to 70% because he is the champion but he was willing to take 30% - he'll be lucky.

"I'm not saying I won't fight him. You can never say never but I will fight him when I choose to.

"But at the minute I would like a homecoming fight to repay the fans because 30,000 went to La Vegas and sadly only 5,000 got tickets which was a big disappointment.

"Then I hope to go back to America and fight again.

"I think Junior needs to fight a few more creditable opponents because it's all about American television.

"So, although you can never say never, he is not in my immediate plans."