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Ricky Hatton admits he has lost the "fire in his belly" for fighting, but has not ruled out a return to the ring later on down the line.
The former light-welterweight world champion went 43 fights undefeated before taking on the man widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Floyd Mayweather, in December 2007.
A devastating 10th round knockout followed, prompting questions over his future, but he battled back to beat Juan Lazcano and Paul Malignaggi before going down again to Manny Pacquiao in May.
Hatton has not fought since that second-round knockout but, as Mayweather prepares to make his return from retirement against Juan Manuel Marquez at the weekend, Hatton is refusing to call time on his own career.
"At the end of the day Floyd Mayweather retired and he had two years off and he couldn't stay retired for long, he started getting itchy feet and decided to make a comeback," Hatton told Sky Sports News.
"That could be what happens to me, but you've got to have the bit between your teeth to do this game.
"It was heartbreaking that last defeat and you need to have that fire in the belly to make a comeback. But nine months, 12 months, go by and, like it happened to Floyd, it could happen to The Hitman."
Prediction
As for his reading of Mayweather's fight, Hatton can only see one winner.
"I hope I'm wrong but I can't see anything other than a Floyd Mayweather win," Hatton added. "Obviously Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the best fighters in the world.
"But Marquez's only had one fight at 9st 9lbs and it's a big weight difference but regardless of that I think Floyd Mayweather will be regarded as one of the greats - as a fighter.
"I think Juan Manuel Marquez is up against it, but Floyd Mayweather has had two years off, there could be a bit of ring rust, Marquez is one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world and you never can tell in this game, but it's Mayweather for me."
The former light-welterweight world champion went 43 fights undefeated before taking on the man widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Floyd Mayweather, in December 2007.
A devastating 10th round knockout followed, prompting questions over his future, but he battled back to beat Juan Lazcano and Paul Malignaggi before going down again to Manny Pacquiao in May.
Hatton has not fought since that second-round knockout but, as Mayweather prepares to make his return from retirement against Juan Manuel Marquez at the weekend, Hatton is refusing to call time on his own career.
"At the end of the day Floyd Mayweather retired and he had two years off and he couldn't stay retired for long, he started getting itchy feet and decided to make a comeback," Hatton told Sky Sports News.
"That could be what happens to me, but you've got to have the bit between your teeth to do this game.
"It was heartbreaking that last defeat and you need to have that fire in the belly to make a comeback. But nine months, 12 months, go by and, like it happened to Floyd, it could happen to The Hitman."
Prediction
As for his reading of Mayweather's fight, Hatton can only see one winner.
"I hope I'm wrong but I can't see anything other than a Floyd Mayweather win," Hatton added. "Obviously Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the best fighters in the world.
"But Marquez's only had one fight at 9st 9lbs and it's a big weight difference but regardless of that I think Floyd Mayweather will be regarded as one of the greats - as a fighter.
"I think Juan Manuel Marquez is up against it, but Floyd Mayweather has had two years off, there could be a bit of ring rust, Marquez is one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world and you never can tell in this game, but it's Mayweather for me."
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