Boxing Experts Blog - Boxing

Boxers are like baseball closers, you got to have a short memory otherwise a beating can put your career down for the count. Ricky Hatton recovered once from a whipping at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and now it sounds like he's regaining his confidence after the Manny Pacquiao disaster. His father Ray says Ricky wants to make sure the decision to retire will come at the right time:

"He's taking his time. He is single minded, stubborn if you like, and once he makes up his mind that will be it. We will respect that decision and knowing him it will be final and certainly he won't be a Frank Sinatra, forever making comebacks."

The older Hatton says there's no need rush into the second phase of life at such a young age:

"This is one big decision for a 30-year-old. It's not like old Father Time is catching up on him. It's the biggest decision of his career, even of his life, and he's got to get it right."

Hatton's legacy is at stake if he walks away off a defeat where he was last seen laid out:

"The defeat is still very painful for him even now. He knows he was reckless and his game plan went out of the window. A lot of people who know him well are thinking they can't see him going out and ending his career on the back of that sort of defeat. Some genuine experts and people who know him best reckon he won't want to be remembered flat on his back."

The Manchester Evening News also confirms a story first reported by the Yahoo! Boxing Blog, that Hatton's co-trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. showed up late on fight night.  Mayweather blames the loss on Hatton listening to others and not him exclusively during training.

Michael Katsidis has been mentioned as an opponent for what could be a farewell fight later this year. The Hattons are busy this evening opening a huge fitness center in Manchester.

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226 Comments

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  1. WENDELL Y
    1. Posted by WENDELL Y Tue May 12, 2009 11:10 am EDT

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    Hatton is still considered one of the best boxer despite of the knockdown, a comeback is still promising,
    the boxing business community should pull him to come and help lift the desires of fans and boxing enthusiast
    and make the sport more entertaining as well as entriguing for the entire world to wonder
  2. Brian A
    2. Posted by Brian A Tue May 12, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    after a whipping like that he needs to retire. Did you see his eyes he was in another demention Ricky Retire!!!
  3. Magic Avalon
    3. Posted by Magic Avalon Tue May 12, 2009 1:53 pm EDT

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    I understand he might not want people to remember him last seen on his back but if he made a comeback who would he fight?...He can't challenge the best. He lost to mayweather which means he is not a welterweight fighter, he would not stand a chance against cotto or mosley. I just hope he does not want to rematch mayweather such a waist of time. Who would he fight really? Even if he took a legitamate opponent out he can't excel to higher levels and I beleive he can't take a legit opponent out because the kos he recieved took alot out of him he is not the same no matter what trainer or whatever. His late career is gonna mimick roy jones, zab judah or holyfield now he needs to retire!
  4. Magic Avalon
    4. Posted by Magic Avalon Tue May 12, 2009 2:01 pm EDT

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    shame has nothing to do with it it's health! A ko like that in the second round is crazy! He needs to hang them up and be an example to other fighters who keep fighting knowing there health is dimishing. Before he was defending his titles than his legacy now he will be defending his health and what makes you think he will be undefeated doing that?........second round......flat back.....did not move for minutes. You guys need to open your eyes. If I was a relative I'd say c'mon don't do it because he gets seriously injured I'd feel guilty. I know he said he was fine but whatever a ko like that he can't comeback from that he is only human yall. Hang them up ricky.....hang them up roy jones,......hang them up jermaine taylor.....hang them up zab judah....hang them up holyfeild, hang them up enzo macrennelli, hang them up please.
  5. owee L
    5. Posted by owee L Tue May 12, 2009 2:54 pm EDT

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    hey magic boy you made your point for hatton ok to retire he has money now, that's the only reason people retire , it's about savings and you forgot to mention pacman he should retire too, don't you think? pacman hang them up you don't need to fight anymore, hatton hang them up it's no shame you just got KO by the best fighter and not a bad one , to me thats no shame...
  6. Saul Bellow
    6. Posted by Saul Bellow Tue May 12, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    In his day, Hatton was very good, not great. He's now lost to two far superior opponents. He doesn't need to fight again. To prove what? That he can beat less some less than elite opponents? He was great for the sport in his time. But it's over. Anyone who cares even an iota for Ricky Hatton the person would never suggest he get back into the ring.
  7. Gs Unit
    7. Posted by Gs Unit Tue May 12, 2009 6:03 pm EDT

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    Ricky should come back and let a real trainer like Roach train him. Roach will get him into real shape and he could get at least 3-4 more fights just like Manny is gonna do. He won't come close to the money Manny is gonna get but at least he will go out a winner not flat on his back.
  8. Omeng
    8. Posted by Omeng Tue May 12, 2009 6:14 pm EDT

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    If Hatton wants to continue fighting then he should hire Roach and join Wild card Gym.....that's the only way he can make a comeback!!! I hope ricky is reading this.
  9. Ben Jr.
    9. Posted by Ben Jr. Tue May 12, 2009 6:56 pm EDT

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    Ricky, for your own sake, retire now. Enjoy life while you are still healthy. You are already wealthy; you have a very supportive family! There is life after boxing. It is not the be-all and end-all of your existence. There is much more to life and to live for than exchanging punches. Look around: climb hills, smell flowers, catch fish, watch the stars, swim in the waters of Boracay (Central Philippines). Come on, there is bliss in retirement!!!
  10. erwin
    10. Posted by erwin Tue May 12, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

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    Boracay is a cheap place for Ricky. Palawan one of the best in the world.
  11. Tone
    11. Posted by Tone Tue May 12, 2009 8:18 pm EDT

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    Hatton hasn't beat a top level fighter since Kosta Zu. Even then, Kosta was at the end of his career. Hatton can not beat the top level fighters out there. At this point in his career he should really start thinking about life after boxing.
  12. Nutcracker
    12. Posted by Nutcracker Tue May 12, 2009 8:48 pm EDT

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    This plodder has milked boxing and UK fans all they are worth.. Go drink some pints and leave boxing to guys with decent fundamentals.. Head movement, angles, reflexes, defense... All things lacking from Hattons game.. Go throw darts, because in boxing on a high level, you aint throwing darts.... Catcher..
  13. blakmamba24
    13. Posted by blakmamba24 Tue May 12, 2009 9:53 pm EDT

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    just to clarify once and for all hatton dont suffer a knockdown its a knockout he just sleep in the canvass about 5 mins.
  14. Moon R
    14. Posted by Moon R Tue May 12, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    All i can say to Hatton is There is No Shame To be KO by the Best Boxer In the World.. there are just things to consider.. do you think you can get your skills to a higher level, if you think your Body and mind can go to higher level you can still fight a few Match.. and if not its better to Fight your Last Battle Agains the Best than be beaten up again by lower Level Boxer.. think man its not about the coach its about the Boxer
  15. Vince S
    15. Posted by Vince S Tue May 12, 2009 10:35 pm EDT

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    Ricky should just retire. To say MP demolished him is an understatement. He got KTFO like no one of recent history! He is in no doubt a world class fighter, but not at the same level as the P4P kings (PBF, JMM, MP). Ricky's a champion. It'd be sad if we see him relegated to gatekeeper status. But as with all proud fighters, leaving is a very difficult decision to do, even if it's the right one.
  16. edmondo
    16. Posted by edmondo Tue May 12, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

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    Roah has already declined that if hatton would hire him to be his trainor and the reason is that hatton is done with his career and he has many things to change which he is unwilling to do. Hatton should get good trainer who could transform his styles. Well, Hatton is still young and he can still make two or three fights if he wants to, but he has to learn from Manny's secret: " think that you know nothing about boxing". Hatton has a big heart and huge ego. If he decides to be in the ring again that would be an interesting fight to see how he would defend himself and his ego. I would suggest if Hatton wants to fight again, he should make a rematch with Manny. Why not? Manny had done two rematch and a rremath with Hatton is not impossible. Give Hatton a chance to prove himself.
  17. edmondo
    17. Posted by edmondo Tue May 12, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

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    Roah has already declined that if hatton would hire him to be his trainor and the reason is that hatton is done with his career and he has many things to change which he is unwilling to do. Hatton should get good trainer who could transform his styles. Well, Hatton is still young and he can still make two or three fights if he wants to, but he has to learn from Manny's secret: " think that you know nothing about boxing". Hatton has a big heart and huge ego. If he decides to be in the ring again that would be an interesting fight to see how he would defend himself and his ego. I would suggest if Hatton wants to fight again, he should make a rematch with Manny. Why not? Manny had done two rematch and a rremath with Hatton is not impossible. Give Hatton a chance to prove himself.
  18. Jeremy
    18. Posted by Jeremy Tue May 12, 2009 11:09 pm EDT

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    Some of you guy's/girls, make me laugh. Hatton is 45-2. Manny has 3 losses. The loss against Manny, was all to do with Mayweather Senior. He basically bull [profane]ted Ricky. His big mouth got Ricky in trouble. As far as when ricky fought Mayweather...........Ricky had him hurt in the 1st round, but did not follow through. He does need to be trained by Freddie Roach. I have seen most of hattons 47 fights, and he can take a punch, but he loses his game plan early, and wants to knock everyone out in the 1st round. He is good for 3 more fights. I think he pulled in about 25 million on the Manny fight. We'll see.
  19. Jeremy
    19. Posted by Jeremy Tue May 12, 2009 11:12 pm EDT

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    I also think that Marquez will kick Mayweather's B-tt, come July.
  20. Jeremy
    20. Posted by Jeremy Tue May 12, 2009 11:13 pm EDT

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    Would love to see Marquez V Manny..............then Hatton V Mayweather. Polish up on your defense Ricky.......stick and move, and when your in trouble.....hold your opponent............Thats all I gotta say guys.........goodnight
  21. BigBanger
    21. Posted by BigBanger Tue May 12, 2009 11:47 pm EDT

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    Ricky Hatton deserves a rematch, I think that is the cure for him...Mayweather wasn't a shock loss, but this fight was. Dust yourself off, get into shape for the rematch ricky baby...Train to knock him out!!! I've watched ricky late nights from Manchester and knew he was really something special, you got a wake-up call, know showem what you got!!! Don't listen to these comentators, whom would have you retiring...I hate all the experts who can teach us all what a fighter should do in and out of the ring. Respect my man Ricky Hatton! He's earned it!!!
  22. boy_wakkana
    22. Posted by boy_wakkana Tue May 12, 2009 11:52 pm EDT

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    i think ricky has one more good fight left in him.. hiring roach as a trainer will definitely increase his chance of winning.. if ever, the next big fight that he should take is vs. JMM.. now thats gonna be a brawl..
  23. banana_split_orig
    23. Posted by banana_split_orig Wed May 13, 2009 12:19 am EDT

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    I don't believed because of 2 losses to top boxers all by KO will stop me from boxing after 40+ wins. Ricky Hatton if his humble enough just to accept his not good enough. Then maybe, maybe. Manny Pacquiao learned it the hard way, especially from a 3rd country. Ricky is still fortunate.
  24. Hulkster
    24. Posted by Hulkster Wed May 13, 2009 12:38 am EDT

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    HULK would take that midget and bend him in half then twist him around the turnbuckle then slam in to him like a runaway locomotive! HULK mad!
  25. lou
    25. Posted by lou Wed May 13, 2009 12:45 am EDT

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    Hatton is far from done he can still pack them blokes in the mother land! Ra Ra Ra GO Go GO thats what you hear when he lets those hands go! Still has plenty of pop in those bricks

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