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Hatton hints at return
Crowd favourite admits he cannot stay away
Last updated: 12th November 2009 
Hatton: Getting the itch back
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Ricky Hatton has given the strongest indication yet that he will return to the ring, admitting to Sky Sports News that he is 'getting the itch back'.
Hatton's future has been unclear since he lost badly to Manny Pacquiao in May of this year, a defeat that left him horizontal on the canvas for several minutes after the fight.
Having gone 10 years without tasting defeat, the Pacquiao loss was Hatton's second humbling experience in the space of two years after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr, and it was predicted that he may not fight again.
However, the Manchester-born fighter recently made a guest appearance on WWE Raw, and he admits the roar of the crowd relit the fire inside him.
"It was brilliant and I must admit, when I got into the ring and heard the crowd roar, I started thinking to myself 'I've missed this'" Hatton told Sky Sports News.
"Who knows, next year after Christmas and New Year, and after the holiday I've got booked for January, I might have a serious think about what I'm doing.
"Seeing [brother] Matthew and all the lads I'm promoting be successful has given me that itch back.
"Hearing that roar and seeing my fighters succeed, I might give it another go."
Hatton's current record stands at 45 wins, 32 knock-outs, and two losses.
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Comments (20)
Olly Pid says...
Ricky, you have been the boxer i've most avidly followed in my 20 years (since 6) of watching boxing. Why not get in shape and then see? I dont know whether to suggest coming back or not for certain, but if you feel as in as gooder shape as you ever have after giving it 12 hard weeks training, then why not? All the best to you Sir
Posted 22:38 11th November 2009
Gareth Taylor says...
c,mon "HITMAN" make a come back n do it with vengence. if you did come back win r lose u would always be rememberd as 1 ov the greats!!!!
Posted 22:31 11th November 2009
Neil Wike says...
I don't think hatton should fight anymore he's done all he can as a fighter. He'll only spoil his record if he carries on there's always young hungry fighters coming through like khan at the moment and he'll end up getting beaten. Hattons past his best.
Posted 22:12 11th November 2009
Legend Hearns says...
Ricky mate. You've been a great world champion but please, for the sake of your family if nothing else, don't do it. You haven't been the same ever since the Mayweather fight. If the roar of the crowd has tempted you to come back, watch the video again of your last fight against the Pacman. Enjoy retirement and concentrate on your promoting. Yours, One Proud Brit
Posted 21:53 11th November 2009
Matt W says...
yess come on Ricky step back into the ring and beat Amir Khan, do it for fans and do it in Manchester
Posted 21:26 11th November 2009
Steve Morrow says...
Dont do it Ricky,let us remember you as one of the best. A fighter who only lost to the very best. If you come back you will be seen as a stepping stone to greater things by the new,young,hungrier breed.
Posted 21:25 11th November 2009
Rich Field says...
Good. I hope he comes back. I think he should. But he should have either Lennox Lewis or Adam Booth as his trainer. Both would be right for him. He needs faster footwork and than in his previous fights and perhaps needs to learn from the from footwork and style of Manny and Mayweather, and in doing so change his own boxing style. It's not too late to do that, 'an old dog can learn new tricks.' But if Ricky thinks it is too late change, then he should retire. Because it's his footwork more than anything that is his weak point. But good luck Ricky if you decide to come back.
Posted 20:54 11th November 2009
Chris Cole says...
i would hate to see hatton comeback, because i fear he may be finished, although i love watching him fight it would sadden me to see him lose as he did in his last fight, admittedly that was against the pound for pound best in the world in pacquiao, if he does come back i think a fight with juan manuel marquez would be a good one
Posted 20:50 11th November 2009
Walta Mitty says...
bring it on! the return of the hitman..the 2nd coming
Posted 20:50 11th November 2009
Dave Wright says...
dont try to lose that weight you have had a good career carry on now helping others you have been a good one
Posted 20:39 11th November 2009
Dave Owen says...
keep them hanged up ricky,u wwas a great fighter and lost 2 the best pound for pound fighters around.u can still hold your head up high but retire or risk getting seriously hurt.
Posted 20:30 11th November 2009
Paul Johnson says...
I've got so much respect for Ricky Hatton but I really feel that the Pacquiao defeat was a good point to end his career. The loss was by no means a disgrace, dispute what some punters with no real knowledge of boxing said. I think to call it a day now and not return in 2010 would be a wise decision for Hatton. To be frank judging by Ricky's current physical condition also I just do not feel that a return against a high level competitor would be successful. I don't think Hatton would allow himself to take on an easy opponent as at heart he is a fighter cut from the same cloth as Duran and Chavez. Ricky would be aiming to take on the best as he's always done. His downfall is that he is a come forward fighter and history suggests they always have short burst careers, usually coming unstuck against a high level technical boxer - just as Ricky did against Mayweather and Pacquiao. I feel that Ricky should now use his head and accept this itch as nothing more than an itch. He can be immensely successful in the promotions game and that's where I would like to see the Hitman flourish.
Posted 20:03 11th November 2009
Mick Shaw says...
Great to read that Ricky still hungry for the sport and is getting that itch but, i do believe he won't beat any one of the top fighters in his division only the has beens or wannabes! love to see him smack the smirk of amir though, now that would be a cracking fight!
Posted 19:40 11th November 2009
Jack Gold says...
Hatton has proven himself already, hes past his peak & he doesnt need to keep fighting Theres no shame in losing to the two best fighters on the planet. Hatton was great & it would be a shame to see him beaten by a lucky youngster e.g. Amir Khan (even though he could probably KO him in a fight even in his 50's) who would ride on his success, hes past the torch of British boxing hopes onto David Haye who i feel can destroy the Klitshkos & become the next great heavyweight!
Posted 19:40 11th November 2009
Alan Price says...
Do me a favour, 2 times Hattons stepped up to world class and 2 times he's been exposed, he's simply not good enough at that level, i mean look at the state of him now, or in-between any fight for that matter, hes simply not in the same league as Floydd Mayweather, Quit while you've still got some sense.
Posted 19:27 11th November 2009
Nicholas Smith says...
jeez ricky, give it a miss man , your punch resistance has gone. One of englands best all time boxer's but stick to the promoting. PLEASE
Posted 19:24 11th November 2009
Russell Thomas says...
Ricky should retire, that KO was awful to watch and he risks real damage if he continues. He will not achieve anymore than he already has. Ricky was a great world champion but sadly fell short of pound for pound status. He has made enough money and was a credit tio British boxing!!
Posted 19:12 11th November 2009
Alex Smith says...
please dont do it ricky!!!
Posted 19:11 11th November 2009
Cliff Simpson says...
ricky your a good good fighter and one of the best but you need a new game plan ? can you change the way you fight? i think you can fight only one way and thats attack.as you saw with david haye some-times you need plan B .do you have this ricky if so GO FOR IT. all the best A BIG FAN cliff
Posted 19:06 11th November 2009
Tony Sharman says...
It would be great to see you again in the ring Ricky, but that would only be for my own selfish reasons, because i like to see a great fighter fight, But you have nothing to prove,Nothing to your family,your son,your girlfriend or any of the fans. You have given so much to the sport Ricky in what you have achieved and now put something back by promoting or training up and coming young fighters. Whatever you decide to do Ricky i will always be a fan and will back you 100%.
Posted 19:02 11th November 2009