What's Next for the Hitman?

http://www.theboxingstop.com/2009/08/whats-next-for-hitman.html Even after well over three months from a devastating loss to the hard punching Manny Pacquiao, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton still doesn't know what is next for his career. Hatton, who was reduced to tears in a meeting with Muhammad Ali recently, still seems no closer to deciding if he'll return to the squared circle any time soon, a place where he's only suffered two losses in 47 career fights. Speaking to the AP: "I've had a lot of fights and sometimes, when you've been in this game as long as I have, running in the morning, training in the afternoon, dieting, I've reached the stage that I've had enough now, I want a bit of a rest," he said. Well, Hatton seems like a candidate for being able to take all the time he wants to decide. He fought the way fans wish all fighters would fight. Despite his apparent flaws, Hatton bulldozed his way through all comers to an impressive 43-0 before splitting his last two fights against the sport's P4P elite (Pacquiao and Mayweather). Unlike fellow countryman Joe Calzaghe, Hatton came over to America in his prime and battled against other great fighters in theirs. Hatton's tough-as-nails approach and affable demeanor made him a sure commoditiy, and his raucous Brit following always made his fights must-see-tv. Ricky Hatton is only 30 years old. Heck, most fighter don't start really slowing down until around 32 or 33 anyways. But pressure fighters like the Hitman burn bright and burn fast. They come onto the boxing scene in a bewildering swirl of aggresive menace and leave just as quickly as if swirling down the drain with the havoc they created. Here's hoping Ricky Hatton makes the decision that is best for him. In my opinion, he's already a sure fire hall of famer. His impressive ledger of accomplishments, coupled with his willingness to fight the very best, make Ricky Hatton a legend in his own time. If you ask me, though, it sure looked like he could come back and be more successful in future fights. He has only lost to the very, very best. And in hindsight, maybe a change in approach to training wasn't his best move before the fight with Pacman. In any event, here's to Ricky Hatton and what ever his future holds. (If you want to see him at his very best, check out the way he mauled Kostya Tszyu into submission in 2002...)