By Mark Vester
According to Ray Hatton, father and manager of Ricky Hatton, the Mayweather/Pacquiao retirement plan is out the window. Last week, Ricky had spoken about fighting with Manny Pacquiao on May 2, then luring Floyd Mayweather Jr. into a rematch - and then going off into retirement to focus on his promotional company. The plan is off - for now. Ricky appears to extend his fighting career beyond 2009.
Ray admits that his son's plan to box into 2010 is going to be based on the performance against Pacquiao.
"He said to me that if he wins his next fight, he will be looking at another year. A lot depends on your performances and he's got that hunger back," Ray told the Manchester Evening News.
The fight with Pacquiao is all but done - according to Ray, but the two sides continue to battle over the fight location. Hatton wants the fight in London, while Top Rank and Pacquiao want it in Las Vegas.
"As far as we are concerned the fight is all but done," said Ray. "We are just fighting our corner in terms of the location. For the British fans we want to have it over here and we are trying to put together a package to show that we can financially equal or better what they can do over there.
"We are trying desperately, but we cannot afford to lose the fight. Manny is the hot ticket at the moment. He will definitely fight in England again. He said that even if he has to make an extra fight, he will fight over here again."
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
