Ricky Hatton hints at a return to the ring

FORMER world light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton has hinted that he could comeback to the ring next year.
Future of Hatton's has been unclear since the English fighter lost badly to Manny Pacquiao in May. That defeat was Hatton's second in the space of two years after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr and it was widely predicted that he would not fight again.
But Hatton, who has 45 wins from 47 career fights, currently made a guest appearance on the WWE Raw wrestling show and admitted the experience rekindled his desire to get back in the ring.
"It was brilliant and I must admit, when I got into the ring and heard the crowd roar, I started thinking to myself 'I've missed this','' Hatton told Sky Sports News. "Who knows? Next year after Christmas and New Year, and after the holiday I've got booked for January, I might have a serious think about what I'm doing.
"Seeing (his brother) Matthew and all the lads I'm promoting be successful has given me that itch back. Hearing that roar and seeing my fighters succeed, I might give it another go.''

Ricky Hatton: Splashes £80k on copy of waxwork

Ricky Hatton boxer was so knocked out by a lifesize waxwork of himself that he has ordered a replica.
He needed to take it home when he unveiled it.
Now the Hitman, 31, has paid £80,000 for a copy of the model on show at the Louis Tussaud's Waxworks in Blackpool. The attraction's general manager, Matthew Titherington, said: "I think Ricky likes it so much because he's in his fighting gear and in his fighting prime.

"When he unveiled it, he was bowled over. He wants to put it in his games room although his manager suggested he put it outside his front door to scare people off."
The original waxwork cost about £100,000 and took six months to make. But the replica will take half the time and will be cheaper because the mould is reusable. It will still be painstaking work - 30,000 hairs will have to be inserted into the head alone - and should be finished by spring.
At the unveiling former world champion Hatton said: "To have a waxwork at Tussaud's is a massive compliment.
"I'm surrounded by stars of the sporting world so this is great. When they asked me to be a waxwork I couldn't say no. It's an honour to be a part of it."

To Get Ricky Hatton To Change Professions

Ricky Hatton is best known as a heavy hitting boxer who suffered two high profile losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. And now, Randy Couture hopes that the two time IBF and IBO light welterweight champion will try his hand at MMA, and is willing to train the British professional boxer in ground game if he comes to the UFC.
"I am a big fan of Ricky Hatton,” Couture told the Manchester Evening News. “He is a fantastic fighter. I could get him up to speed on the ground wrestling part of it, while he could take advantage of his boxing talent. He could make a big difference in the lighter categories.”
Couture says that if Hatton could learn the “ways of the UFC,” he could go far in the sport.
“He is a tremendous fighter and has a lot of heart. There is no doubt he could make a tremendous impact with his heart and determination in the ring,” Couture stated.
Hatton said that he may consider the move from boxing to MMA, since the momentum behind the MMA sport is growing.
"It is all action, proper fighting. [The UFC] are going the right away about it to get people interested. There is a concern in boxing that UFC is taking its place. People seem to get more value for money,” Hatton stated. “UFC would be right up my street, I used to kick box so maybe I would be all right."

MY GREATEST NIGHT Ricky HATTON

Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao's crushing frustration of Ricky Hatton was his greatest moment.
Pacquiao's trainer confidently predicted the Filipino icon would beat Manchester's finest inside three rounds when they met in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas back in May.
And Manny duly backed up that boast, sending the Hitman to the canvas twice in the opening session before producing a chilling knockout in the second.
Roach, speaking on HBO's Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7, said: "Hatton, and I hate to say this about a world champion, he wasn't that good.
"The Hatton night, I was actually satisfied, I was glad my prediction came true, and to look it work was the best night of my life."
Pacquiao meanwhile said: "Freddie and I were so happy because we learned is perfect for Hatton's style."
Pacquio and Cotto will lock horns on November 14 at the MGM Grand in one of the most eagerly-awaited bouts of 2009.
They'll fight at 145lbs with Cotto's WBO world welterweight crown at stake.

HATTON: HAYE CAN DO IT

Ricky Hatton believes David Haye's speed will help him defeat Nikolai Valuev when they meet head on next month.
'The Hayemaker' will go toe to toe with the giant Russian for the WBA world heavyweight title in Nuremburg on November 7, live on Sky Box Office.
The fight has been billed as 'David and Goliath', but despite Valuev's 7ft 2in frame Hatton is confident Haye will be leaving the ring as world champion.
"I think he can beat him and I've thought from the start that he will," he told Soccer AM.
"As big as that fella is, he isn't the quickest and he isn't the most mobile and if there's one thing that David is, it is quick and he can hit double his body weight.
"When I saw him at the press conference though, I was a little more nervous! But to be honest I still think he will beat him.
"David is about 15 or 16 stone and if you get it on the chin with 15 stone, it doesn't matter how big you are, you're going to go."
Hatton himself hasn't stepped into the ring since his devastating second-round knockout by Manny Pacquiao in May, and he is yet to make up his mind about his future as a fighter.
Instead 'The Hitman' has taken his first steps on the road to becoming a top boxing promoter.
Last month his friend and sparring partner Matthew Macklin gave him his first significant champion in his new role and the Manchester City fan admitted that he didn't have the desire to fight again just yet.
"At the moment I'm just sitting back, recharging the batteries and having a bit of a break really," he said,
"As far as the actual fighting goes it is the hardest game in the world. So to get up at six in the morning and go running and go in the gym everyday you've got to want to do it and you've got to have the bit between your teeth and I don't really feel that at the minute.
"But like any fighter once you've had a rest and you start getting itchy feet I'm sure you'll come back."
"There's no time limit on it," he added. "I've likely had more fights than most British world champions over the years - I've had 47 fights now - and I'm still only 31 years of age, so I've got loads of time to come back, but I just want to have a rest at the minute."

as a top promoter I hope Ricky Hatton can establish himself

At a press conference to publicise the title fight between his brother Matthew and Lovemore N'Dou in Stoke next month, Hatton was keen to talk up the venue.
He told his conference that when he fought Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, fans kept coming up to him and asking: "When are you going to fight in Stoke?" With the delights of the Strip so close at hand, the casinos, the swimming pools, the bars, the buffets, the hotels, the sunshine, it looks rather a strange question to have put to the man who was then Britain's biggest boxoffice draw.
The promoter would never admit Hatton to this, of course, but I suspect his answer would have been something close to: "Not in your lifetime."

Ricky Hatton's shoes John Murray ready to step

John Murray emerged as British boxing's next superstar in waiting, with the potential to take over from Ricky Hatton as a Manchester legend, as he took only four rounds to stop Jon Thaxton, the former European champion, on Saturday.
Aged 24 and unbeaten in 28 bouts, Murray seems ready for the big time. Saturday's win in Altrincham enabled him to regain the British lightweight title he lost when weighing 2oz over the limit for a title defence in June.
But lesson learnt, Murray is beginning to look a complete boxer. While he now chases a world title at lightweight, in the long term a clash with another boxer from Greater Manchester, Amir Khan, the WBA light welterweight champion, becomes a mouthwatering prospect.
The similarities with Hatton, another aggressive pressure fighter, are obvious. Murray trains, under Joe Gallagher, in the same gym in Denton where Hatton worked with Billy Graham for 11 years and he even supports Manchester City. But Murray must now make the step from selling out leisure centres to filling big arenas, although the healthy crowd that watched him weigh in at the Arndale Centre in Manchester shows that he is becoming well known.
“Ricky is coming to the end of his career now, so hopefully I can be the heir apparent,” Murray said. “I'm starting to make a name for myself in Manchester and I want to build on that.”
He hunted down Thaxton, 35, in fine style, throwing hard punches from behind a high guard. Thaxton was caught flush several times by Murray before an overhand right had him backtracking to the ropes, prompting Howard Foster, the referee, to stop the bout. Thaxton and his corner protested, but the outcome looked inevitable.
“Every time I landed I seemed to rock him to his boots,” Murray said. “He's had a great career, there is no point him going out on his back.”
Gallagher, who trained Matthew Macklin to win the European middleweight title eight days earlier, called it “a punch perfect performance”.
Murray is mandatory challenger for the European title, held by Anthony Mezaache, of France, but Mick Hennessy, his promoter, could look farther afield. “He's one of the very best lightweights on the world stage now,” he said. “He could be ready for a big fight in America.”
Murray has already boxed across the Atlantic four times, twice in Las Vegas in 2007, where he fought on the Floyd Mayweather Jr-Oscar De La Hoya undercard and topped a bill the night before Mayweather Hatton.
“I've proved I'm the best in Britain,” Murray said. “I want to box again as soon as possible and I want to box for a world title within 12 months. Michael Katsidis [the interim WBO champion from Australia] has just won a title. That would be a great fight and I think I have the style to beat him.” Hatton, of course, beat an Australian [Kostya Tszyu] for his first genuine world title.
Audley Harrison hopes to challenge for the European heavyweight title after winning the Prizefighter tournament in London on Friday.
“Hopefully a door in the UK has opened again for me,” Harrison said. “There is still hope for me. I don't worry or get upset about the boos. I come from the ghettos, have been to jail, went to college, went to university, won an Olympic gold and should be celebrating that I am the boy done good.”
Meanwhile, Danny Williams, looks likely to retire after losing his Prizefighter first round bout to Carl Baker. The British heavyweight champion had his greatest moment in 2004, when he knocked out Mike Tyson in four rounds in Louisville, Kentucky. He challenged Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title in Las Vegas in his next bout and was stopped in eight rounds.
A judge in Las Vegas has issued an arrest warrant for Roger Mayweather, the trainer and uncle of Floyd, after he failed to show up for a court appearance. He is charged with attacking a female boxer.

Thalidomide victim's hunger strike supports Ricky Hatton

Former World light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton MBE has given his full support to Liverpool comedian Gary Skyner's hunger strike. Victim of the drug Thalidomide Gary Skyner, 49, and his mother Frances, 72, are protesting at the government's refusal to pay compensation to the users of the anti morning sickness drug.The group have been on hunger strike for nine days, refusing all food except vitamin tablets and drinking only water and coffee until the government capitulates. Skyner, who has no thumbs, wrists, elbows or radius bones in either arm, was the second person born in the UK with horrific side effects of the drug prescribed to combat morning sickness in the 50's and early 60's. Ricky Hatton is supporting his friend Gary Skyner, yet is concerned for Gary’s health he has a history of heart problems. In addition to this, his 72 year old mother is on daily medication which is required to be taken with food. Ricky is urging Health Minister Andy Burnham MP to intervene and meet with both Gary Skyner and his committee to find a satisfactory resolution to this 50 year battle. A spokesman for Ricky Hatton said: "Ricky and his supporters would like to wish Gary and his mother their best wishes during their dissent and would like to be kept informed of developments."

Promoting Kevin Hammond to Ricky Hatton keen

Former world champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton could be set to take a opportunity on Kevin Hammond, having moved into the world of promoting following his defeat to Manny Pacquiao in May.
The 30 year old has held talks with Hammond's manager, Carl Greaves, about promoting the International Masters light middleweight champion and has already arranged for the 28 year old to spar with his brother, Matthew, ahead of the Mancunian's IBO welterweight title challenge against Lovemore N'Dou in November.
Hammond is recently tied to a five fight deal with top international promoter Frank Maloney but that deal is in doubt following Hammond's shock frustration to Jonny Musgrave, in Lincoln, in May.
"I spoke to Ricky Hatton (pictured) last week about Kevin and I am going to take Kevin along in a couple of weeks to spar with with Matthew and Ricky will take a look at him," said Greaves.
"I have got to sit down with Frank Maloney and he might be happy to release Kevin from his contract.
"The contract was signed when Kevin was with Mike Shinfield and I have not read it yet but I know the deal is assignable after a defeat.
"I think Frank was likely thinking Kev would be levels above and was actually surprised when he lost to Musgrave.
"He has got a lot of fighters on his books and we have yet to hear anything from him."

Ricky Hatton: Learning the nurturing game

Ricky Hatton was back in the gym this week, but don’t expect him to be announcing a comeback yet. It is nearly five months since Hatton was knocked cold by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas and while returning to the ring is the last thing on the former world light welterweight champion’s mind, he is about to take the longest step in his next career as a promoter.
Matthew Macklin faces Amin Asikainen, of Finland, for the vacant European middleweight title at Manchester Velodrome, tonight. It is a prestigious title for Hatton Promotions’ first televised show, a title formerly held by a host of the sport’s biggest names, from Marcel Cerdan through Laszlo Papp, Nino Benvenuti and Alan Minter, to Tony Sibson and Herol Graham. And the excitement is gripping Hatton.
“I don’t think anything can replace the thrill of getting in the ring, but the next best thing to being a champion is making one,” Hatton said. “Ricky Hatton without boxing in his life would be a bit of a lost man.
“I enjoy looking our prospects in the gym, watching them spar or go on the pads and passing on my experience.” Since setting up his promotional company earlier this year, Hatton has gone on a strict recruitment drive and staged small-hall shows across the country. Tonight is the first of an eight-show deal with Sky and Hatton hopes to make an impact.
“I suppose the dream would be to build a fighter to box at the City of Manchester stadium in front of 60,000,” he said. “I’m sure when Frank Warren and Golden Boy started out they dreamed of being the best and I’m no change.
“I’ve learnt a lot of things with all the promoters I have worked with, some good, some bad. The way I was brought through (by Warren) was absolutely perfect. The right fights at the right time, plenty of fights and staying busy.
“If I would have had my way, I would have fought Kostya Tszyu two years before I did. But that would have been the wrong thing to do, I wouldn’t have been ready. When I did fight him it was exactly the right time. That’s what I have to do for our young boxers, get them the right type of fights at the right time.”
At 27, Macklin believes his time is now. In March, he won the British title with an impressive three-round stoppage of Wayne Elcock and the Brummie, who sparred hundred of rounds with Hatton when they were both trained by Billy Graham, feels he is now ready to fulfil his potential after earlier disappointments.
Three years ago, Macklin challenged Jamie Moore for the British light-middleweight title but was viciously weight drained and was knocked unconscious in the tenth round after a vicious bout. Severe evaporation has been linked to serious injuries in boxing.
“I was kidding myself that I could make the weight when I had just outgrown the division,” Macklin said. “On the morning of the weigh-in I was 11st 5lb (5lb above the limit), I have no idea how I made the weight.
“At the end of the third round I was more tired than I’d ever been in my life, I fought every round like it was going to be my last. I remember being in the ambulance and having flashes of Michael Watson and Gerald McClellan.
“I will not do anything that stupid again. I am stronger at middleweight. Asikainen is rated No 6 by The Ring and has a win over Sebastian Sylvester, who just won the IBF title. If I win, Ricky thinks that fight can be made.”
As for Hatton’s own future, he has an open mind and was shown by the brilliant return of Floyd Mayweather Jr, his former opponent, that a period of inactivity is not necessarily a bad thing.
“When Floyd retired, I’m sure he meant it,” Hatton said. “For me, it’s only been four months. At the moment I don’t have the urge. You have got to want to do it. You have to have the urge to get up in the morning and do all the training and to make the weight. At the moment I don’t.
“What I need at the moment is have a rest. Maybe I will get the urge back. If I boxed again a year after the fight, you couldn’t call that a retirement. I’m just having a break.”

Matthew Macklin title fight, Ricky Hatton can have early promotion success

Bumping into Ricky Hatton at his gym last week, it's clear by his girth that he's enjoying being out of the ring.
But for all the pints of Guinness and Chinese takeaways he's putting away, the Hitman has been working hard in his new avatar as a promoter.
While some of our former world champions do little more than talk about being promoters, Hatton is prepared to put in the hours of hard graft wanted.
He has been slowly building up his stable with talents like former Olympic star Joe Murray and dreams of nurturing his own world champion.
He might have one in Matthew Macklin and the Brummie faces Finn Amin Asikainen for the vacant European middleweight title in Manchester's Velodrome on Friday.
It is Hatton's biggest gig to date and a step up from his cards at leisure centres and recreation halls.
Macklin is coming off a career best win over Wayne Elcock when they clashed for the British title and after making little headway for years, Hatton feels he is taking off.

He would be chuffed if Macklin could emulate him by becoming a world champion and says promoting is the next best thing to fighting.
"Winning yourself gives you most delight, but I've always said from day one once you've been a champion, the next best thing is to bring a champion through," said the Mancunian.
"The fact that Matthew Macklin is one of my friends, to do it with him would be absolutely sensational.
"He won the British title from Elcock and he's never looked as good. We've always thought Matthew Macklin can go further than domestic and be a champion, but his career has been on the slowburner a bit. He wants to get a move on and this is a dangerous fight for him."
Hatton, 30, will be as nervous as if he was topping the bill himself and he knows his critics are willing him to fail as a promoter.
"It's a big night for me," he said. "My first promotion on Sky Sports and a European title shot and I feel very proud of me and my team for doing that.
"Let's hope everything goes to plan and we'll be celebrating Matthew being the new European champion come the end of the night."

Lament tragic death of Darren Sutherland to Ricky Hatton and David Haye

Ricky Hatton and David Haye may be challenger promoters of their own arrangements, yet the pair of pugilists were on Wednesday united in their plaint for fellow boxer Darren Sutherland, who was found hanged in his south London flat on Monday.

There is nary a soul in the boxing sodality not shocked by the week’s events.
“I was sickened by Darren’s death, it still doesn’t seem real. I have known him a while, through his Olympic campaign, we had kept in contact and he had the world at his feet,” said Haye.

Hatton added: “It’s prefectly tragic. I was following Darren’s career with great interest. All of the Olympic boys have looked sensational but he had a little bit of class, he was very exciting and stood out.”
After boxing’s summer of discontent, with several major fights cancelled and a series of deaths involving boxers, the new British season has begun with a controversial refereeing decision, more postponed bouts, the suicide of Sutherland and a heart attack and surgery on Wednesday for promoter Frank Maloney.
Maloney, who suffered the heart attack after he discovered the body of Sutherland on Monday, insisted he will be back at work next week. “Boxing is my life. I have had plenty of highs in the sport and plenty of lows. But nothing will ever compare to the shock and sorrow of finding Darren in his flat on Monday night.”
Returning to matters inside the ring, Hatton tipped Haye to unseat 7ft Russian Nikolai Valuev from his World Boxing Association heavyweight title throne on Nov 7.
As Haye began six weeks of hard readying, Hatton said: “This is the perfect fight for Haye in the heavyweight division. The difference in this fight will be David’s velocity. Valuev is so, so slow compared to David.
“If David boxes a cagey fight and keeps his chin down it will be very hard for Valuev to nail him.
“David has the opportunity to do to Valuev what nobody else has done and then he can sit down and negotiate with the Klitschkos.”
Haye said: “The fights against Vitali and Wladimir (Klitschko) will happen, but in a merger contest. I can go to the table as a world champion. I believe I will stop Valuev or knock him out.”
Hatton said he had no plans to fight again after his last bout, against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in May, ended in frustration.
“This is the hardest game in the world. I’ve been doing it for a number of years and my last defeat was heartbreaking.
“In order to do the training, the sparring, the dieting, the roadwork, everything that goes with it, you’ve got to actually need it. At the moment, I don’t have that.”

Cotto tough to beat, Pac Man

Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach are expecting a tough fight for the WBO welterweight title against Miguel Cotto on November 14.
Pacquiao will enter the ring as favourite contempt being the naturally smaller man, although that hasn't stopped him beating Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in his last two fights.
However, the man currently rated the best pound-for-pounder in the world is taking nothing for granted against Cotto, who suffered the only licking of his career against Antonio Margarito last year.
"This will be my toughest test as a professional boxer," he said. "I know he is an brilliant, smart fighter and a great world champion.
"We also know that he is excellent in body punching and that he's strong so we have to study that, how to counter it and fight that in the ring.
"We also want to use our own advantage over Cotto. Everybody knows that I am faster than Cotto so how can I use that speed in the fight? I will do my best in this fight to capture my seventh title belt."
Roach, who correctly predicted Ricky Hatton would go down inside three rounds last time, expects this one to go the distance.
"It's going to be a much more tactical fight than people think because he (Cotto) is a very smart fighter," Roach said.
"It's who can apply their game plan and use it to the fullest advantage.
"I think this is going to be a 12 round fight, no knockout. This guy (Cotto) is very bounce. If a knockout comes, it comes but if you go out there looking for a knockout, you might get caught yourself. We have to be very tactical."

Place on Hatton's bill, Blackwell earns

TROWBRIDGE professional boxer Nick ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell has been selected to fight on a Ricky Hatton Promotions show to be held on Sunday, October 4 at the Marriot Hotel in Bristol.
The 18 year old, who opponent is yet to be compulsive, who trains under Mark Kent at the Compitition Gym in Trowbridge, has been sparring with Masters and Western Area Champion Danny Butler, who is in training for an English Title shot against Darren McDermott on the 25th September in Manchester.
“Now and again someone special comes along and Nick Blackwell is the one,” said Kent.
“I have no uncertainty in my mind that this lad will take a British Title in two years and then his sights will be set on a world title.”
Blackwell, and fellow local pro Liam Richards, will be in action at Trowbridge Civic Hall on Friday, September 11. Bradford’s Gareth Heard will also be debuting.

Muhammad Ali his wheelchair to meet Ricky Hatton

Muhammad Ali proved he can still float like a butterfly when he visited Ricky Hatton's gym yesterday.Despite being virtually confined to a wheelchair because of Parkinson's Disease, the Greatest affirmed on getting to his feet to meet Hatton at the Hitman's impressive new base in Hyde.Hatton was abashed by Ali's gesture and caressed his hero before showing him around his state-of-the art gym."I think he was going to come in a wheelchair initially," said the former light welterweight king."Then he said: 'I can't have Ricky Hatton meeting me in a wheelchair. I've got to walk in'."That's a boxer through and through. That's a boxer's mentality and that's a champion's mentality.

"Hatton, 30, presented Ali with a cake iced on top with the initials 'GOAT', which position for 'Greatest Of All Time', once they were inside his gym.It was his way of paying tribute to someone he cares as not just the wonderful fighter of all time, but one of the greatest people of all time.Hatton was blown away by meeting Ali and posed for footage outside his gym with the three time former world heavyweight champ."This is certainly sensational," said the Mancunian."I've been advantageous to meet some of the greatest stars of boxing during my career, but I'd never had the chance to meet the greatest of all."He's not just the greatest boxer of all time, he's one of the greatest men of all time."Even youngsters know Muhammad Ali. And I think his price of the gab has made the entertainment side of boxing what it is today."The 67-year old ring story was greeted by chants of "Ali, Ali" when he appeared at Hatton's gym and he is touring the British Isles to raise funds for his charity foundation, the Muhammad Ali Centre, in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky.Last night he was appearing at a £1,000-a-plate dinner in his honour at Old Trafford, frequented by some Manchester United players.And Ali has other fundraising events lined up, including one at Stoke's Britannia Stadium during what is wonted to be his final visit to Britain. He is also due to meet old opponant Sir Henry Cooper in the unlikely surroundings of Windsor Castle at the Alltech FEI European Jumping & Dressage Championships 2009. He then flies to Ireland next week.

Ricky Hatton after first defeat £20m profit is consolation

Boxer has invested £200,000 into each of four new ventures By Simon Binns. A company owned by boxer Ricky Hatton standed up a pre tax benefit of almost £20m in 2008, accepting “The Hitman” to plough working capital into different of his other business ventures. Punch Promotions Ltd promotes and organize sporting activities, especially bouts featuring Hatton, such as his holocene high profile championship fights against Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton lost both fights and may now depart to dressed ore on promoting other boxers, but newly filed accounts show that his company recorded a pre tax profit of £19.8m in the year to November 30, 2008, up from £3.7m the previous year. In June, Hatton opened his own Hatton Health & accordance Gym in Hyde and is better to expand it into a chain. Manchester City Council has approached the boxer about potential sites in east Manchester. Punch Promotions ticker £200,000 each into branded leisurewear business Hatton Independent Trading Ltd, Hatton Promotions Ltd, Hatton Health & Fitness Ltd and Punch Developments Ltd. In January 2009, Hatton also set up Hatton Boxing Ltd and Hatton Nutrition Ltd as he looks to accrue his business empire once he depart from the ring. Hatton's lawyer, Gareth Williams, has left George Davies LLP in Manchester to work for the boxer and his family full time and attend to on building the Hatton brand. In the director's report that accompanies the accounts, David Evans, an auditor and tax adviser, writes: “The earning ability of the company has been dependant on Mr R J Hatton's accomplishment in the boxing ring. Whilst operations will continue within the company, the directors are of the opinion it will be subject to reduced income in future years. “The company has invested working capital of £200,000 into each of its four accessary companies, of which three acceded trading in December 2008. It is await all of its subsidiaries will contribute to the holding company's future earnings. The abbreviated accounts do not show turn over for the year, although Hatton was connected in three title fights during the financial year. On December 8, 2007 Hatton abided his first ever professional conquest to Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas, although the Hyde boxer achieved a reported £5m purse from the bout, his occupation best at the time. Hatton made his comeback on May 24, 2008, beating Mexican Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium to retain The Ring Magazine and IBO light welterweight titles, acquireing a total of £6m in television fees and ticket sales. Hatton then conquested Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on 22 November, earning him another £1.2m. His fight against Manny Pacqiuao in Las Vegas in May, which ended in defeat, pushed his career earnings through the £40m barrier. Cash in the bank at Punch Promotions totalled £22m, up from £10m the previous year. The three directors, Hatton, his father Ray and Evans, were paid a total of £3.1m by the company, up from £530,000 the previous year.

Ricky Hatton would want to fight Amir Khan

• Hatton says bout would be 'a possibility' if he makes comeback

• Clash would be richest contest in domestic boxing history

Ricky Hatton has given the apparent indication yet that he would be willing to fight Amir Khan as long as he is able to aggrandise the bout himself. Hatton has been focusing on promoting since his second-round knock out debacle against Manny Pacquiao at Las Vegas' MGM Grand in May. Many thought the defeat would spell the end of Hatton's occupation, and the 30-year old is yet to confirm whether he intends to fight on.
But retirement seemed to be the furthest thing from Hatton's mind as he talked up the possibility of combining his new line of work with a repartee against Khan, the WBA light-welterweight champion, in a fight that would potentially be the richest contest in domestic boxing history.
"If I do decide to make a comeback and he (Khan) is still world champion, then obviously being a light-welterweight it is a possibility" Hatton said. "But with the greatest of respect, it would only be if I promoted it. But, yeah, if I elect to fight again and he's still up there which I certainly hope he is, as a personal friend – then it's a possibility."
Doubts remain over the eagerness of Khan, who on Saturday reaffirmed his desire to fight in the US as soon as possible. But even if a 'Battle of Britain' does not materialise, Hatton feels he peaceful has something to offer as a fighter.
"I'm not making any decision. One day I might just wake up in the morning and think, 'let's give it another go'," said Hatton, who formed Hatton Promotions in January. "At the moment I'm busy with the promoting, enjoying what I'm doing working with all these former champions and prospects I've got coming up. But us boxers it doesn't take us long to get itchy feet again."
Hatton admitted that his work with the boxers fighting as part of the Hatton Promotions show at the Manchester Velodrome next week had made him think about his own position. One name on the card is Michael Brodie, who returns to the ring after a four year dearth and whose aspiration to get back to the top Hatton can empathise with.
"I find myself in a similar position to Mike Brodie in many respects. He's had a break from it, recharged his batteries and now he's hungry as ever wanting to come and get back into the action," Hatton said. "I'm having a rest. It's a hard game, boxing. You're up every morning running every day, you train in the afternoon, you're dieting, you're up and down in weight and it can wear you down. I'm recharging the batteries and once I've done that I can sit down and like Michael Brodie's done, come back with the bit between my teeth."
Joining Brodie at the circumstance, billed 'The Boys are Back in Town', are the former British light welterweight and welterweight champion David Barnes, former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Andy Morris and Joe 'Genius' Murray, an Olympian at the Beijing Games who will be looking for his third win with Hatton Promotions.

Ricky Hatton was Boxing's dying

RICKY Hatton has launched on the state of boxing - claiming it risks being overtaken by Ultimate Fighting if it doesn't get its act together.
The Hitman believes boxing is becoming a real turn-off for fans, sick of seeing politics get in the way of big fights.Hatton is furious that his brother, Matthew, saw a high profile clash with former undisputed welterweight champion, Zab Judah, collapse for a second time this week.
Judah made a last minute stipulation for the bout to take place at 10st 3lbs, which effectively ruled out Matthew, who fights at 10st 7lbs.And Hatton, who is now a promoter, it is typical of the state of the sport.
I look at boxing from a different angle because this is a boxing risk not a common game now and it is dying a death compared to the fashionable Ultimate Fighting Challenge," he said.
Matthew was taking all the risks. He was prepared to go out to Las Vegas to fight in Zab Judah's backyard.
"Ricky Hatton was fighting at a level so much higher with against a former undisputed champion than he'd ever fought. He was taking all the chances”

Ricky Hatton is being offered a mouth-watering comeback fight against lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez.The Hitman, who is still considering his future after his two-round KO by Manny Pacquiao in May, has told his American promoters Golden Boy that he will only return for a top name.Marquez was on Hatton's radar before his loss to Pacquiao and the Mexican three-weight world champ is due to face Floyd Mayweather Junior on September 19.Marquez, 35, would love to fight Hatton and Golden Boy matchmaker Eric Gomez claims he could easily put this clash together in the US if the Mancunian decides to fight on.

"What Ricky has told us in the past is that if he ever comes back, he will want it to be a meaningful fight," said Gomez. "He doesn't want to be anybody's stepping stone."He has expressed an interest that if Marquez can pull off the fight against Mayweather, he would want to fight Marquez.

Marquez has wanted to fight him for a year, so that's a possibility."I know that fighters have been knocked out cold and have come back to win world titles, so you never know."So you can't count anybody out and there are guys that Ricky Hatton can still beat."

Ricky Hatton suffered Chest Pain

Ricky Hatton has felt Chest pain and is being treated Tameside Hospital.He Felt ill on Monday and was immediately taken to hospital according to his agent Paul Speak.Tests have been performed in hospital and so far looks like food Poision.On precautionary basis he will stay in hospital for few more day.

Ricky Hatton - A Life Story

The official life story of Britain's favourite Boxer, the undefeated world champion, Ricky The Hit Man Hatton. Ricky Hatton - A Life Story documents his fascinating rise to the top, from his first ever amateur fights through to his latest World Title defence in Las Vegas. As one of Britain's most popular sporting heroes, The Hitman, who recently received an MBE, is unbeaten in 43 professional fights, a champion in two weight divisions and is commonly perceived as one of the all time greatest boxers Britain has ever produced. With exclusive...Click here for more information and buy DVD of Ricky Hatton - A Life Story

Ricky Hatton - Upcoming Events

May 2, 2009
At Las Vegas (PPV): Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao, 12 rounds, for Hatton's Ring magazine junior welterweight title.

Click here to buy tickets for this event

Ricky Hatton VS Manny Pacquiao

Hatton Awaits The Dream Match Winner

Ricky Hatton vs Manny Pacquiao: Manny and Ricky wants it
Nov 24, 2008

Manny Pacquiao said he would love to fight Ricky Hatton in Britain. “I want to come to the UK because I've never been there, I want to see the place,” Pacquiao, who has been training with the rising British boxing talent Amir Khan in Hollywood, said. “I'd like to fight in front of a big crowd. I know it would be a great, great fight if it were to happen. I'm very comfortable at 140lb so I would be OK to fight Ricky.”

“When I was told I would be fighting on December 6, I was originally told I would be fighting Ricky,” Pacquiao said. “But now it's Oscar. I wasn't disappointed because I know I have a lot of time to have that fight.”

Meanwhile, Hatton is awaiting the result of the Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya bout, and said he would love to fight whoever the winner of the fight.

"I think it would be a very interesting fight," said the former heavyweight champion, the British Lennox Lewis said. "They have to agree on what weight they want to come in at, but obviously the fans would love to see a fight like that."

Mayweather Sr., Hatton's Trainer, concurs, saying would love to see the fight come true: "There's no question about it, 'Pacman' is the pefect match for Ricky, I'd love to see that fight. But I don't see Pacquiao beating Oscar."

Ricky Hatton - Ranking and Stats

Ricky Hatton bounced back from a stoppage defeat to pound4pound king Floyd Mayweather jnr last December with a clear but tough unanimous points win over Juan Lazcano. In beating the Mexican warrior in front of 56,000 hometown fans Hatton proved he is still a p4p top 10 fighter but maybe a fighter in decline. Nevertheless we will find out exactly what the ’Hitman’ has left when he faces IBF junior-welterweight champ Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas on November 22.

Ricky Hatton - Amateur Career

1997 World Junior Bronze Medalist
1997 ABA Light- Welterweight Champion
Twice NABC Champion
Twice Junior ABA Champion
Golden Gloves Champion
Senior ABC Champion

Information Source: Fans Website of Ricky Hatton

Ricky Hatton's Professional Career

Current Ring Magazine Light-Welterweight Champion.

Current IBO Light-Welterweight Champion.
The Former Undefeated IBF & WBA Light-Welterweight Champion.
The Former WBO & WBA Intercontinental Light-Welterweight Champion.
The Former Undefeated British Light-Welterweight Champion.
The Former Undefeated WBA Welterweight Champion.

Ricky Hatton - Biography

Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Hatton was raised on the Hattersley council estate in Hyde, Greater Manchester and trained at the Sale West ABC on the Racecourse Estate. He was educated at Hattersley High School.

Both his grandfather and father played for Rochdale, and Ricky had a trial for the youth team. But Hatton found a local boxing club in Hyde, which he still trains at, and found he enjoyed the sport.

Hatton's entrance music is the Manchester City club song "Blue Moon" as performed by the band "Supra." Aged 14, Hatton was taken by his uncles Ged and Paul to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium to watch the second fight between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.
Hatton joined the family carpet business on leaving school, but after he cut four of his fingers with a Stanley knife, his father made him a salesman to prevent him from losing his fingers.

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Ricky Hatton

Richard John Hatton MBE, more commonly known as Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, (born 6 October 1978, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England), is a British professional boxer is a two-time IBF and IBO light welterweight champion, having relinquished the IBF belt, only to step back down to the weight class and beat Juan Urango.

He was the WBA Welterweight Champion, but relinquished this title on 31 August 2006.[3] Hatton is also the former WBU, WBA Light Welterweight Champion and WBC, WBA, WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Champion, and current Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion.

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