Hatton speaks.....

[DG.]

Ricky Hatton has told Sky Sports that he intends to become the "greatest promoter in the world", even though he is still not sure if he will box again.

The Hitman saw his hopes of becoming the best pound-for-pound fighter disappear inside six minutes against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas at the weekend.

A stunning stoppage loss saw the British boxer surrender his IBO light-welterweight title - and was quickly followed by talk of his retirement.

Still devastated at the outcome, Hatton admitted in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News that he was yet to decide over whether to hang up his gloves or not.
Future plans

However, the Mancunian already has plans for a future outside the ring, insisting he will not "drift off into the distance" and leave the sport entirely.

"I really don't know at the minute because I never thought that (the second-round knockout) was going to happen," he said after being asked about his future in the ring.

"People are still going to see plenty of me. I'm going into promoting now and I've got a future with the youngsters. They are going to be fulfilling my dreams from here on in.

"I've worked with so many promoters and I believe I can do a great job at it.

I believe I've been a great world champion, the best in the world.

I believe I can be the greatest promoter in the world, that's the next avenue down which I'm going to go.

"But as far as physically boxing myself, I don't know what I'm going to do at the minute.

"I'm not going to drift off into the distance - boxing is my game. Sky Sports have been with me from absolutely day one. Whatever decision I make on my future Sky will be the first to know."

The 30-year-old believes the bout at the MGM Grand could have had a different outcome if he hadn't suffered such a horrendous start.

Pacquiao put him down twice in the opening round before finishing the fight just before the bell to end the second with a chilling left hook.

"If we'd have gone a few rounds it could have been different, but he caught me with practically the first punch he threw to be honest," Hatton insisted.

"I'd rather have been knocked out in two rounds than have somebody that has out-classed me for the full duration.

"I've lost twice and I've lost to the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, it's not a bad way of looking at it, but I'm devastated.

"Maybe it could have been different, but that's boxing."

Support

Hatton - who had previously only suffered defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jnr - was quick to pay tribute to his army of supporters.

"I'm not going to say I'm the greatest British world champion we've ever had but one thing that isn't up for discussion is that there's never been a world champion from Great Britain that has had a fan base like Ricky Hatton," he added.

"In a credit crunch 30,000 people have come here this weekend. I think the most anyone else has ever had is 10,000. Nobody has ever had support like that.

"Whatever I decide to do, the following that I've had throughout my career has blown every other champion out of the water. For that I will be forever grateful."

[Carbo]

Ricky Hatton has told Sky Sports that he intends to become the "greatest promoter in the world", even though he is still not sure if he will box again.

The Hitman saw his hopes of becoming the best pound-for-pound fighter disappear inside six minutes against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas at the weekend.

A stunning stoppage loss saw the British boxer surrender his IBO light-welterweight title - and was quickly followed by talk of his retirement.

Still devastated at the outcome, Hatton admitted in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News that he was yet to decide over whether to hang up his gloves or not.
Future plans

However, the Mancunian already has plans for a future outside the ring, insisting he will not "drift off into the distance" and leave the sport entirely.

"I really don't know at the minute because I never thought that (the second-round knockout) was going to happen," he said after being asked about his future in the ring.

"People are still going to see plenty of me. I'm going into promoting now and I've got a future with the youngsters. They are going to be fulfilling my dreams from here on in.

"I've worked with so many promoters and I believe I can do a great job at it.

I believe I've been a great world champion, the best in the world.

I believe I can be the greatest promoter in the world, that's the next avenue down which I'm going to go.

"But as far as physically boxing myself, I don't know what I'm going to do at the minute.

"I'm not going to drift off into the distance - boxing is my game. Sky Sports have been with me from absolutely day one. Whatever decision I make on my future Sky will be the first to know."

The 30-year-old believes the bout at the MGM Grand could have had a different outcome if he hadn't suffered such a horrendous start.

Pacquiao put him down twice in the opening round before finishing the fight just before the bell to end the second with a chilling left hook.

"If we'd have gone a few rounds it could have been different, but he caught me with practically the first punch he threw to be honest," Hatton insisted.

"I'd rather have been knocked out in two rounds than have somebody that has out-classed me for the full duration.

"I've lost twice and I've lost to the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, it's not a bad way of looking at it, but I'm devastated.

"Maybe it could have been different, but that's boxing."

Support

Hatton - who had previously only suffered defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jnr - was quick to pay tribute to his army of supporters.

"I'm not going to say I'm the greatest British world champion we've ever had but one thing that isn't up for discussion is that there's never been a world champion from Great Britain that has had a fan base like Ricky Hatton," he added.

"In a credit crunch 30,000 people have come here this weekend. I think the most anyone else has ever had is 10,000. Nobody has ever had support like that.

"Whatever I decide to do, the following that I've had throughout my career has blown every other champion out of the water. For that I will be forever grateful."

Nice touch for the fans.

Of course, Pacquiao was so good that, in hindsight, it's difficult to imagine it being different no matter what the start.

But the guy is right in that he only ever lost to the best of the best. Mayweather and Pacquiao, are, and will be in the future, involved in serious discussions about the greatest fighters, pound for pound, ever. Maybe they won't top lists, but they'll figure. And losing to two guys who aren't just the best in that particular year, but among the best of your generation, and also, probably, of any generation, is no disgrace.

Nobody argues Buchanan was a second rate bum for losing virtually every round to Duran.

I'd like to see Ricky retire now. He's achieved plenty in the sport, but, unfortunately, couldn't elevate himself beyond being world class. But hey, dominating your division for several years and being a world class, consistent p4p top 20 for a few years ain't so bad.

Good luck with the promoting, but I have my suspicions that he's not cut out for that.

Some of his management and promotional decisions on his own career have been plain awful. In fact, his career was never the same when he left Warren.

[DG.]

But the guy is right in that he only ever lost to the best of the best. Mayweather and Pacquiao, are, and will be in the future, involved in serious discussions about the greatest fighters, pound for pound, ever.

BUT THEY ARE THE ONLY 2 FIGHTERS HE HAS FACED THAT WERE IN THEIR PRIME AND ELITE.

They both knocked him out.

That is the thing to look at, the fact he had two figths against prime fighters and was stretched both times, and hardly landed eff all in 12 rounds.

Outclassed both times.

Destroyed.

Crushed and mashed down.

Never prepared to beat a live fighter,the MEN and Fwank ruined him.


ALSO,THEY WERE BOTH SMALLER MEN ON THE NIGHT..

[DavidPayne]

He'll fight again, no question.

I'll ask whether Roach was right - Mayweather was never the right trainer for Hatton.

Is he Manny Steward to Lee Beard's Oscar Suarez?

I don't know, but having now seen the fight, Hatton seemed caught between two stools, what his brain was telling him from camp and what is instinct/habit was telling him.

[Carbo]

He'll fight again, no question.

I'll ask whether Roach was right - Mayweather was never the right trainer for Hatton.

Is he Manny Steward to Lee Beard's Oscar Suarez?

I don't know, but having now seen the fight, Hatton seemed caught between two stools, what his brain was telling him from camp and what is instinct/habit was telling him.

Perhaps.

That a smart comparison.

But at least Suarez came with some kind of reputation.

What's Beard ever done??

[teddy007]

He'll fight again, no question.

I'll ask whether Roach was right - Mayweather was never the right trainer for Hatton.

Is he Manny Steward to Lee Beard's Oscar Suarez?

I don't know, but having now seen the fight, Hatton seemed caught between two stools, what his brain was telling him from camp and what is instinct/habit was telling him.

Perhaps.

That a smart comparison.

But at least Suarez came with some kind of reputation.

What's Beard ever done??

Beard is a pads man, nothing more nothing less. He does not bring nothing else to the table. In years to come maybe but not at the moment. He's a lot like other trainers just starting out i.e Farnell, McCory and the like. They dont have the experience at the highest level to have in the corner of a world title fight.

[rhino222]

so..predictably ricky says he has only been beaten by the 2 best P4P fighters on the planet.....bit of an about turn id say, 3 days ago we were being told to put our mortgage on his victory, which surely was paying pacman no respect.

why isnt ricky saying that pacman deserves a lot of credit for being better than he thought, that he is sorry for misleading all the fans...etc etc

[deadpan]

I see he managed a final third person reference.

[alexpaterson]

Hope he retires i think he will after reading this

[Adamj1987]

In the sun (yes i know) it has an interview with hatton saying if it would have gone a few more rounds he'd of won and hes happier to of been KO'd early than dominated over 12

[MR T]

I see he managed a final third person reference.

That really irritates me, I feel like saying you are f@cking Ricky Hatton, stop talking about Ricky Hatton as if he is someone you know, its you FFS!

[rhino222]

i have just seen the interview in full on sky sports news... hatton definately sounded slurred !!!!!!!

[banjo]

i have just seen the interview in full on sky sports news... hatton definately sounded slurred !!!!!!!

Maybe that's something to do with the binge he's been on since getting out of the hospital.

[beagleboy]

He'll fight again, no question.

I'll ask whether Roach was right - Mayweather was never the right trainer for Hatton.

Is he Manny Steward to Lee Beard's Oscar Suarez?

I don't know, but having now seen the fight, Hatton seemed caught between two stools, what his brain was telling him from camp and what is instinct/habit was telling him.

Perhaps.

That a smart comparison.

But at least Suarez came with some kind of reputation.

What's Beard ever done??

Hilarious that Beard kept checking the big screen to see he was on TV, and then he'd shout something at Ricky before checking again DD

[Poncey]

He'll fight again, no question.

I'll ask whether Roach was right - Mayweather was never the right trainer for Hatton.

Is he Manny Steward to Lee Beard's Oscar Suarez?

I don't know, but having now seen the fight, Hatton seemed caught between two stools, what his brain was telling him from camp and what is instinct/habit was telling him.

Perhaps.

That a smart comparison.

But at least Suarez came with some kind of reputation.

What's Beard ever done??

Hilarious that Beard kept checking the big screen to see he was on TV, and then he'd shout something at Ricky before checking again DD

Come now. Holding someone's bags is a very technical and complicated procedure. It takes years of training I'll have you know.

[TheCobra]

"I'm not going to say I'm the greatest British world champion we've ever had but one thing that isn't up for discussion is that there's never been a world champion from Great Britain that has had a fan base like Ricky Hatton," he added.

That sort of shit is why many people have gonme off the lad, LEVEL HEADED? I think not. Talking about himself in the third person comes across as really arrogant and deluded. I used to love Hatton and I mean genuinely love the guy, but last few years I've really got sick of all the P4P bullcrap and 3rd person statements.

That statement above isnt the statement of a nice, level headed down-to-earth guy, it;s the statement of a guy who thinks he's the dogs bollocks. Why does he even need to say that shit? He can leave the fans and press hype to say stuff like that?

I will leave you with this, "I'm not gona say I'm the greatest poster this board has ever had, but there's never been a boxrec forum member as good looking as The Cobra, or as knowledgable. I'd say the Cobra isn't the best, but he's definitely in the top 1. Thankyou"

[Carbo]

"I'm not going to say I'm the greatest British world champion we've ever had but one thing that isn't up for discussion is that there's never been a world champion from Great Britain that has had a fan base like Ricky Hatton," he added.

That sort of shit is why many people have gonme off the lad, LEVEL HEADED? I think not. Talking about himself in the third person comes across as really arrogant and deluded. I used to love Hatton and I mean genuinely love the guy, but last few years I've really got sick of all the P4P bullcrap and 3rd person statements.

That statement above isnt the statement of a nice, level headed down-to-earth guy, it;s the statement of a guy who thinks he's the dogs bollocks. Why does he even need to say that shit? He can leave the fans and press hype to say stuff like that?

I will leave you with this, "I'm not gona say I'm the greatest poster this board has ever had, but there's never been a boxrec forum member as good looking as The Cobra, or as knowledgable. I'd say the Cobra isn't the best, but he's definitely in the top 1. Thankyou"

I think that, to be honest, you might be reading this wrong -- or at least I hope you are.

I think he meant to say something like "I'm not going to try to make out I was the greatest champion Britain's ever had, but nobody was blessed with fans as great as mine were."

I hope that's what he meant, anyway.

He really should have me doing his PR. In fact, I could do better PR for fighters than 99% have now. Some of it's awful, and yet, it's so important.

That said, Hennessy's non stop flood of PR releases that mock, goad and call out potential rivals is something I'm not sure I could match. Who comes up with all those quotes for Froch and Witter, I'll never know.

[U.F.O]

I see he managed a final third person reference.

That really irritates me, I feel like saying you are f@cking Ricky Hatton, stop talking about Ricky Hatton as if he is someone you know, its you FFS!

that's one of the things that has made Hatton less likable for me in the past few years,very very irritating

[MightyWarrior]

Hilarious that Beard kept checking the big screen to see he was on TV, and then he'd shout something at Ricky before checking again DD

god that's depressing if really true...I noticed the first person Hatton looked at when he sat down after the first was Beard - too late by then, but it's madness that in a superfight, Ricky puts his faith in some bloke from down the local gym.

[leforge]

I would love him to fight Witter then retire.

[banjo]

Hilarious that Beard kept checking the big screen to see he was on TV, and then he'd shout something at Ricky before checking again DD

god that's depressing if really true...I noticed the first person Hatton looked at when he sat down after the first was Beard - too late by then, but it's madness that in a superfight, Ricky puts his faith in some bloke from down the local gym.

Probably because he had more faith in Beard than that useless clown Floyd Sr. I still want to see how Floyd Sr. is seen as a top cornerman, people say "well he trained Oscar De La Hoya" erm no he didn't he worked in his corner for a bit after Oscar was a five-weight beltholder.

[DavidPayne]

Its all about 24/7 trailers and having a craic.

No good Hatton preparing in a sweat pit with John Breen, running up hills where camera's cant get with Enzo Calzaghe.

You need some colour, something quotable, someone to help convince people change is possible, to sell the dream, sell the fantasy. DLH cant do that. So you need lead parts being handed out to good actors.

I'm sure Kenny Branagh could have done The DaVinci Code better than Hanks, but Hanks puts bums on seats, he's guaranteed box office.

Its abvout numbers, promos - Mayweather is wrong for Ricky on every aspect you look at. Time-Zone, Style, History, Personality - everything.

But he's had good box-office lately, so he gets the job. Lee Beard is clearly who Hatton has gravitated to rightly or wrongly but Mayweather helped hype the fight.

[landon]

I see he managed a final third person reference.

i hate the 3rd person it makes me cringe

[DG.]

You wil never catch DG talking about himself in the 3rd person, DG does not play like that!

[Carbo]

Its all about 24/7 trailers and having a craic.

No good Hatton preparing in a sweat pit with John Breen, running up hills where camera's cant get with Enzo Calzaghe.

You need some colour, something quotable, someone to help convince people change is possible, to sell the dream, sell the fantasy. DLH cant do that. So you need lead parts being handed out to good actors.

I'm sure Kenny Branagh could have done The DaVinci Code better than Hanks, but Hanks puts bums on seats, he's guaranteed box office.

Its abvout numbers, promos - Mayweather is wrong for Ricky on every aspect you look at. Time-Zone, Style, History, Personality - everything.

But he's had good box-office lately, so he gets the job. Lee Beard is clearly who Hatton has gravitated to rightly or wrongly but Mayweather helped hype the fight.

I suspect that the Mayweather decision came from three directions:

The first was that DLH and Hatton seem pretty chummy, and if DLH was called, he would have said Mayweather straight away, because, for some reason, the Golden Boy is gushing when it comes to Mayweather’s abilities.

Second, Hatton's got a strange logic: “If I beat Pacquiao, I'm pound for pound champion,” was not, I think, only a case of promoting the fight. There was a hint of belief in there, and one or two other things that I heard in the build up to this (which I can’t recall this instance) were the logic I'd expect from a dullard down the pub who repeats whatever he reads in the Sun rather than an articulate young man. Given that, I wonder whether something in Hatton's brain clicked: I need a big name American, and since Floyd sr created Floyd jr, who beat me, therefore I should get Floyd in the corner. Silly, but I have a horrible feeling that had something to do with it.

Third, he loves Lee Beard, and, given that Beard learned everything he knows (which I'm not sure is worth a pitcher of warm spit) from Mayweather, and got into boxing from working with Mayweather, that he recommended him, too. If Hatton wanted to keep Beard, he might have figured that Mayweather was the best mesh.

I might be wrong with all three, but I’m just throwing them out.

Anyway, why on earth anyone thinks that a world class fighter going into hard, hard, elite level fights would pick a novice trainer who has about as much experience of boxing as the average martial arts trainer or gym instructor with a healthy interest in watching the big fights, is beyond me.

The difference between Roach -- whose tactical, strategic, technical and training knowledge literally oozed through the TV/computer screen every time I watched him -- and the Hatton camp was palpable. Hatton had enough disadvantages against a perfect fighting machine without being further stymied by being led by Captain Mainwaring in a battle against a man led by Georgiy Zhukov.