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Ricky Hatton: I'm not retiring yet !
Ricky Hatton: I'm not retiring yet
Exclusive by Derick Allsop 30/08/2009
Ricky Hatton is edging towards a return to the ring - despite coming face-to-face with the devastating ravages of boxing.
The former world light-welterweight champion gave the clearest indication yet that he intends to fight on after welcoming Muhammad Ali to his new gym at Hyde, on the outskirts of Manchester.
Hatton revealed to Sunday Mirror Sport: "I've got a sneaking feeling I'll probably give it another go."
Ali is stricken with the advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease, but it is widely believed the brutal fights he endured in an illustrious career contributed to his plight.
Hatton, badly beaten by Manny Pacquiao earlier this year, has been infuriated by warnings against the danger of continuing and appears ready to give a defiant response.
"Everybody becomes an expert all of a sudden," Hatton said. "But Muhammad Ali's illness is a bit of a one-off case.
"It is sad to see him at times, but nobody knows me better than I know myself.
"I've got a good team and family around me.
"If the time comes for me to hang up my gloves then I will.
"But I know my body better than anyone.
"For everyone that's gone on too long there's one that's carried on and become even more successful when people have said they should retire.
"Many great fighters, such as Arturo Gatti and Roberto Duran, have had crushing defeats and come back to win titles."
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One of the possible fights muted for Hatton's comeback is an all-British blockbuster against Amir Khan, which would fill any of the country's big football stadiums and guarantee both men a fortune.
Hatton said: "I'll make my decision on my future when I feel like it.
"I'm keeping busy with the promoting and the gym.
"When I've had a bit of a break and recharged the batteries I might get itchy feet and give it a go.
"It could be two, three, four, five months before I decide.
"I don't know. When the time comes it will come.
"If it doesn't, it doesn't. But I have a sneaking feeling I'll probably give it another go."
Ali is on a charity fundraising tour of Britain and Ireland and his insistence on visiting Hatton's gym is testament to the "Hitman's" stature in boxing.
Now Hatton hopes he can become a similarly inspirational figure as Ali for aspiring fighters in the Manchester area and beyond.
He said: "Ali was always a man of the people and still is to this day, even with young kids.
"That's why he is The Greatest.
"I'd like to think ordinary people see me as one of them. "Hopefully they will be inspired by what I've been able to achieve in boxing and want to try it themselves.
"I want to give kids a chance in my gym and make Manchester the boxing capital of Britain, but I hope I can encourage kids from further afield as well."
Exclusive by Derick Allsop 30/08/2009
Ricky Hatton is edging towards a return to the ring - despite coming face-to-face with the devastating ravages of boxing.
The former world light-welterweight champion gave the clearest indication yet that he intends to fight on after welcoming Muhammad Ali to his new gym at Hyde, on the outskirts of Manchester.
Hatton revealed to Sunday Mirror Sport: "I've got a sneaking feeling I'll probably give it another go."
Ali is stricken with the advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease, but it is widely believed the brutal fights he endured in an illustrious career contributed to his plight.
Hatton, badly beaten by Manny Pacquiao earlier this year, has been infuriated by warnings against the danger of continuing and appears ready to give a defiant response.
"Everybody becomes an expert all of a sudden," Hatton said. "But Muhammad Ali's illness is a bit of a one-off case.
"It is sad to see him at times, but nobody knows me better than I know myself.
"I've got a good team and family around me.
"If the time comes for me to hang up my gloves then I will.
"But I know my body better than anyone.
"For everyone that's gone on too long there's one that's carried on and become even more successful when people have said they should retire.
"Many great fighters, such as Arturo Gatti and Roberto Duran, have had crushing defeats and come back to win titles."
Advertisement - article continues below »
One of the possible fights muted for Hatton's comeback is an all-British blockbuster against Amir Khan, which would fill any of the country's big football stadiums and guarantee both men a fortune.
Hatton said: "I'll make my decision on my future when I feel like it.
"I'm keeping busy with the promoting and the gym.
"When I've had a bit of a break and recharged the batteries I might get itchy feet and give it a go.
"It could be two, three, four, five months before I decide.
"I don't know. When the time comes it will come.
"If it doesn't, it doesn't. But I have a sneaking feeling I'll probably give it another go."
Ali is on a charity fundraising tour of Britain and Ireland and his insistence on visiting Hatton's gym is testament to the "Hitman's" stature in boxing.
Now Hatton hopes he can become a similarly inspirational figure as Ali for aspiring fighters in the Manchester area and beyond.
He said: "Ali was always a man of the people and still is to this day, even with young kids.
"That's why he is The Greatest.
"I'd like to think ordinary people see me as one of them. "Hopefully they will be inspired by what I've been able to achieve in boxing and want to try it themselves.
"I want to give kids a chance in my gym and make Manchester the boxing capital of Britain, but I hope I can encourage kids from further afield as well."
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