Ricky Hatton confirms return to boxing

Legendary boxer Ricky Hatton has officially announced his return to the ring at a press conference in Manchester...

13:42 15 September 2012

Former two-weight world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has announced that his three-year retirement is over; the "Hitman" is going back into the ring. 

 

At a press conference in Manchester on Friday morning, Hatton, 33, revealed the news. 

 

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith confirmed that he will be granted a new licence upon completion of a standard medical exam. 

 

"Ricky came before the board on Wednesday," Smith said. "I'm not a doctor but once we get the medicals in our doctors will look at them.

 

"If they are fine they will be signed off. That's all we're waiting for. He's been granted it [the licence] pending his medical - so subject to the completion of all his medicals." 

 

However, Hatton's return to the ring has been met with scepticism with many feeling that his years away and subsequent problems will have blunted his impact. 

 

Hatton's last pro fight ended with a second-round knock-out by Manny Pacquiao in May 2009. 

 

Since then, Hatton has fought his demons in the form of drug and alcohol problems. He was stripped of his license to box in 2010 after admitting that he used cocaine. 

 

"It's more than a comeback," said the Manchester-based legend. "I'm fighting to redeem myself." 

 

A fight has been scheduled for November 24th. The opponent is as-yet unnamed but the venue will be the Manchester Arena. 

 

He said: "I want British boxing to be proud of me again. The only way to convince everyone I'm back is by flattening someone on 24 November." 

 

Regarding his past, Hatton spoke out to the press conference:  "It's been well documented what's happened to me since the last time I've been in a boxing ring.

 

"I've started looking after myself a bit better and getting fitter. That's how it started. I don't want to be fighting at four or six-round levels - I want to fight for world titles.

 

"It's about more than money, this comeback. People say nice things about me but they don't know what's been going on in between my ears."