Summer return for Hitman

Ricky Hatton has confirmed that he will return to the ring this year, though it is not yet known who his opponent will be.

Hitman's return - YOUR VIEW

The Mancunian announced on his official website that he would be having at least one more fight at light-welterweight, most likely in the summer months.

Hatton last stepped between the ropes in May of last year, when he was knocked out inside two rounds by Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand.

However, having had time to recharge his batteries, the Hitman, who suffered his only other defeat as a pro at the hands of Floyd Mayweather back in 2007, has opted to have at least one more bout before he hangs up his gloves.

Good break

"I've decided to make a comeback and have another fight his year, probably around the summertime this year," he told Hatton TV.

"There's been no opponent that has been confirmed yet and there's been no date confirmed yet. But the point is that I have made my mind up that I'm going to have one more fight.

"I've had a good break, a good time off and a good time to reflect and put that last fight behind me and really get over it and get my mind straight.

"I think after the Mayweather defeat I jumped straight into action and I didn't really perform my best. This time I've had a good rest, recharged the batteries and had a really good think. I'm happy to get back at it now."

On his short-term plans, he added: "I go on holiday next week with my girlfriend to Australia and then when I get back, although I haven't got a date yet, I'm going to go straight back into training.

"Weight-wise, I've got a little bit more to carry than I normally do. In order to do that, I'm going to go straight into training and shed the weight. When the date comes, I will do my usual 12-week training camp."

Hatton is not ruling out carrying on beyond his next fight, though he admits his long-term future will depend on how he performs in his comeback.

"I'm going to have one more fight, maybe two more fights," he added. "It all depends on the performance in the first fight. It would be very foolish of me to say 'two more fights, three more fights'.

"It's always hard coming back from defeat but there were reasons for that (loss to Pacquiao) from the way my training camp went.

"There were times when I should've taken my foot off the gas and I wasn't allowed to do that. In the latter stages of my training...it took a lot less of a fighter than Manny Pacquiao to knock me out.

"Bearing that in my mind, that's what has made me want to come back, because I know things could have gone better. But, you know, we will soon find out.

"I've set the wheels in motion for my retirement, so I'm not going to have too many more fights. At the moment I'm only definitely going to have just one more."

Potential opponents

Current IBF light-welterweight champion Juan Urango is one potential foe, while speculation will grow over the possibility of a mouth-watering domestic duel with fellow Brit Amir Khan, who currently holds the WBA belt.

Hatton is adamant he will take on a big name rather than fighting an opponent he can beat easily simply to pad out his record.

"It's got to be a top-10 ranked pound-for-pound fighter or a world champion of some sort," Hatton stated.

"I could not have one more fight and people look at me and say 'he's just had this fight just to knock someone over and end his career on top'.

"If I'm going to end my career I want to end it on top. It's got to be a big name so I can get my teeth into it."