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Talk of retirement is premature

Last updated: 21st November 2008

Hatton: loves a fight

I'm excited about what kind of performance I think I can bring on Saturday. I can tell everyone until I'm blue in the teeth about how good my training camp was, but you only get judged in the ring.

Ricky Hatton
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HATTON v MALIGNAGGI
IBO Light-Welterweight title
9pm, Saturday, November 22
Live on Sky Box Office & HD
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Ricky Hatton is aiming to put the record straight against Paulie Malignaggi on Saturday night after admitting he looked "past it" in his last fight.

Hatton, 30, will climb into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena aiming to wipe away memories of an unimpressive victory over Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium in May.

Though his performance against Lazcano was hampered by a chest infection, Hatton parted company with long-time trainer Billy Graham and sought a fresh start with Floyd Mayweather Sr.

The change has worked wonders according to Hatton, who says any talk of him hanging up his gloves is premature.

"Everybody says to me 'You're thinking about retirement' but I'm not. I don't want to retire, I love having a fight," Hatton said.

"I don't want to retire but you've got to be honest with yourself. I lost to Mayweather, there's no shame in that, but in the Lazcano fight I looked like I was past it.

Chest infection

"There were reasons; I was ill, I had a terrible chest infection, my sparring partners went home early and I didn't do half the work, so I was delighted to get through that fight with the performance I put up.

"If I was 100% and I'd put up a performance like that I'd have said it was nothing short of rubbish.

"My training camp's been great but if I don't perform on Saturday then everyone's going to think, well, Ricky's a bit....There's only one person who can sort that out.

"I'm excited about what kind of performance I think I can bring on Saturday. I can tell everyone until I'm blue in the teeth about how good my training camp was but you only get judged in the ring.

"I've got to do it Saturday night and I think it is coming."