Wednesday, August 12, 2009

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.

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