RICKY HATTON celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday by admitting he will hang up his gloves by the time he turns 31.
The Manchester lightwelterweight insists he will have a maximum of three more fights. And he is desperate for his retirement schedule to include a return against American star Floyd Mayweather Jnr to avenge the only defeat on his 45-fight record. The Hitman’s hit-list includes Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Manuel Marquez and Mayweather for a second time. Hatton said: “After my November bout against Paulie Malignaggi, I plan to have another two bouts at the absolute maximum. “I only want record-breaking fights against the biggest names and I’ve already spoken to Oscar about fighting at Wembley next year.“Of course there are a lot of ifs and buts before that fight can happen. “And if it doesn’t come off, Pacquiao is a possibility while Marquez has said he will come up from lightweight to box me.
“And of course the one I’d really love to finish on is a revenge bout against Mayweather, who I believe is ready to come out of retirement for the right money.” Mayweather, 31, stopped the Brit in the 10th round to retain his WBC welterweight crown in Las Vegas last December. Hatton’s own retirement plans are already well advanced. He has set up his own promotional company, Punch, and construction work at his new £2million, state-of-the-art gym in Hyde, Manchester, is making good progress. He insisted: “When I go, there will be no coming back. “I am not going to make that mistake. I will do what Lennox Lewis has done by hopefully bowing out at the top. “I want my gym to become a magnet for the best young boxers in the country. “And I believe my promotional company can become one of the biggest in the world.” Hatton revealed his plans to bow out on the same day he unveiled new trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr. He takes over following the Hitman’s split with Billy Graham after 11 years. Hatton has already started a gruelling regime ahead of the Malignaggi clash in Las Vegas on November 22. He said: “I spent my 30th birthday doing a five-mile run at six in the morning carrying dumbells. “Floyd was barking out his orders, yelling at me to shadow box until the run was finished. “There’s always been a smile on my face, no matter what the circumstances. But there’s a bigger grin in place now. In the last few fights with Billy in charge, I’d be worrying myself sick about whether the training sessions would even finish. “In fights I’d be all crash-****-wallop instead of using my head and boxing. Floyd is the best defensive trainer in the world and he will definitely make me a better fighter.”
Found this article with a link from Hatton's site. Is this his way of telling DLH he wants that fight asap?
The Manchester lightwelterweight insists he will have a maximum of three more fights. And he is desperate for his retirement schedule to include a return against American star Floyd Mayweather Jnr to avenge the only defeat on his 45-fight record. The Hitman’s hit-list includes Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Manuel Marquez and Mayweather for a second time. Hatton said: “After my November bout against Paulie Malignaggi, I plan to have another two bouts at the absolute maximum. “I only want record-breaking fights against the biggest names and I’ve already spoken to Oscar about fighting at Wembley next year.“Of course there are a lot of ifs and buts before that fight can happen. “And if it doesn’t come off, Pacquiao is a possibility while Marquez has said he will come up from lightweight to box me.
“And of course the one I’d really love to finish on is a revenge bout against Mayweather, who I believe is ready to come out of retirement for the right money.” Mayweather, 31, stopped the Brit in the 10th round to retain his WBC welterweight crown in Las Vegas last December. Hatton’s own retirement plans are already well advanced. He has set up his own promotional company, Punch, and construction work at his new £2million, state-of-the-art gym in Hyde, Manchester, is making good progress. He insisted: “When I go, there will be no coming back. “I am not going to make that mistake. I will do what Lennox Lewis has done by hopefully bowing out at the top. “I want my gym to become a magnet for the best young boxers in the country. “And I believe my promotional company can become one of the biggest in the world.” Hatton revealed his plans to bow out on the same day he unveiled new trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr. He takes over following the Hitman’s split with Billy Graham after 11 years. Hatton has already started a gruelling regime ahead of the Malignaggi clash in Las Vegas on November 22. He said: “I spent my 30th birthday doing a five-mile run at six in the morning carrying dumbells. “Floyd was barking out his orders, yelling at me to shadow box until the run was finished. “There’s always been a smile on my face, no matter what the circumstances. But there’s a bigger grin in place now. In the last few fights with Billy in charge, I’d be worrying myself sick about whether the training sessions would even finish. “In fights I’d be all crash-****-wallop instead of using my head and boxing. Floyd is the best defensive trainer in the world and he will definitely make me a better fighter.”
Found this article with a link from Hatton's site. Is this his way of telling DLH he wants that fight asap?
Comment