Hatton agonises over future

The Hitman: Still undecided

I've not made a decision on my future yet, but if there is any inspiration I can take, it's from what Tony did.

Ricky Hatton
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Ricky Hatton has revealed the torment he is going through in making a decision over his future.

The 30-year-old Mancunian has yet to announce whether he will return to the ring after suffering the second defeat of his career in devastating fashion against pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in May.

Despite calls from a large section of the boxing community for him to walk away, Hatton could well be tempted into a swansong in England.

The Hitman is currently promoting Tony Oakey - who bounced back from defeat to Nathan Cleverly to win Prizefighter - in a bout with Shon Davies at the weekend and insisted the resurrection of the light-heavyweight's career is a source of encouragement.

"Tony found himself in the same position I find myself in now," Hatton told the Manchester Evening News.

Confident

"I had a fight and I had a bad defeat and was thinking: 'Have I had too many fights? Have I had enough?'

"But he looked better than ever winning the Prizefighter and was supremely confident in his interviews.

"I've not made a decision on my future yet, but if there is any inspiration I can take, it's from what Tony did.

"Everyone thought it was over for him, but he's come back. Maybe I should look at that and think 'my career is not over yet'."

A 'Battle of Britain' against WBA light-welterweight challenger Amir Khan is one option, but Hatton's father and manager, Ray, has spoken of the agonising his son has gone through since that second-round knockout against Pacquiao.

"One minute he says, 'Do I need it anymore?'" said Ray. "The next he says, 'How can I go out like that?'

"It has to be his decision and whatever he decides his family will stand by him."