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Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton admits he is still lacking the hunger required for a boxing comeback.
The popular Mancunian has been away from the ring since May following his brutal second-round defeat to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Rumours have since circulated that the 31-year-old is set to return to the sport, however Hatton has moved quickly to dismiss such speculation.
He said: "I don't mind getting beaten by Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr and people like that, but I'd hate to go into a training camp with my heart not fully in it and risk getting beaten by somebody who shouldn't be beating me.
"So until that hunger comes back, that fire in the belly - that is when I will make my decision."
Future
In his time away from fighting, Hatton has been busy promoting events such as Friday night's showpiece in Wigan, where Denton Vassell and Lee Purdy will compete for the vacant Commonwealth welterweight title.
The Hitman's younger brother Matthew - who recently became European welterweight champion - is also part of his Hatton Promotions stable, but asked if he had set a time-limit on making a decision on his own fighting future, Ricky said: "Not really, no. One day I might come in the gym and say 'let's give it a go.'
"I'm enjoying my time seeing my mates and my fighters, and my brother winning the European title the other week.
"If Denton can take this Commonwealth title - that's the reason why I went into promoting in the first place, so I'm enjoying that side of the game.
"It's only been 10 months since the (Pacquiao) fight - I wouldn't really call that retirement.
"But as any fighter will tell you, you have got to have that hunger to carry on with the training, and until that comes back, I'm going to continue what I'm doing."
Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez had been touted as a potential opponent for Hatton should he make a swift return to the ring.
Compatriot Erik Morales is another name Hatton has been strongly linked to, and some reports have claimed the Mancunian turned down an offer from Golden Boy Promotions to fight the former four-time world champion.
Secrets
"If it's been mentioned, it can only have been mentioned by Golden Boy and it has not been mentioned to me," Hatton said.
"I was as shocked as everybody else when I heard it. The fight's not been offered to me, so I don't know what more I can say about it."
Hatton has parted company with trainers Floyd Mayweather Sr and Lee Beard since the Pacquiao defeat, but indicated that he would like to work with Bob Shannon - who has mentored both his brother and Vassell - if he were to fight again.
"I think Bob is one of the best-kept secrets as a trainer," Hatton added. "I'm making my mind up what I'm going to do, but I can honestly say after being close to Bob, working with him and seeing what he has done with Denton, if I do end up deciding to make a comeback, Bob Shannon will be my next trainer without a doubt.
The popular Mancunian has been away from the ring since May following his brutal second-round defeat to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Rumours have since circulated that the 31-year-old is set to return to the sport, however Hatton has moved quickly to dismiss such speculation.
He said: "I don't mind getting beaten by Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr and people like that, but I'd hate to go into a training camp with my heart not fully in it and risk getting beaten by somebody who shouldn't be beating me.
"So until that hunger comes back, that fire in the belly - that is when I will make my decision."
Future
In his time away from fighting, Hatton has been busy promoting events such as Friday night's showpiece in Wigan, where Denton Vassell and Lee Purdy will compete for the vacant Commonwealth welterweight title.
The Hitman's younger brother Matthew - who recently became European welterweight champion - is also part of his Hatton Promotions stable, but asked if he had set a time-limit on making a decision on his own fighting future, Ricky said: "Not really, no. One day I might come in the gym and say 'let's give it a go.'
"I'm enjoying my time seeing my mates and my fighters, and my brother winning the European title the other week.
"If Denton can take this Commonwealth title - that's the reason why I went into promoting in the first place, so I'm enjoying that side of the game.
"It's only been 10 months since the (Pacquiao) fight - I wouldn't really call that retirement.
"But as any fighter will tell you, you have got to have that hunger to carry on with the training, and until that comes back, I'm going to continue what I'm doing."
Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez had been touted as a potential opponent for Hatton should he make a swift return to the ring.
Compatriot Erik Morales is another name Hatton has been strongly linked to, and some reports have claimed the Mancunian turned down an offer from Golden Boy Promotions to fight the former four-time world champion.
Secrets
"If it's been mentioned, it can only have been mentioned by Golden Boy and it has not been mentioned to me," Hatton said.
"I was as shocked as everybody else when I heard it. The fight's not been offered to me, so I don't know what more I can say about it."
Hatton has parted company with trainers Floyd Mayweather Sr and Lee Beard since the Pacquiao defeat, but indicated that he would like to work with Bob Shannon - who has mentored both his brother and Vassell - if he were to fight again.
"I think Bob is one of the best-kept secrets as a trainer," Hatton added. "I'm making my mind up what I'm going to do, but I can honestly say after being close to Bob, working with him and seeing what he has done with Denton, if I do end up deciding to make a comeback, Bob Shannon will be my next trainer without a doubt.
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