what do you aussies make of this? hatton is back

[adamheight]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing ... ds-newsxml

The worst-kept secret in sport is out. The Hitman is back.
Ricky Hatton's return to the ring three years after he was knocked unconscious by Manny Pacquiao will be confirmed officially on Friday.
After weeks of hard training and soul searching, Hatton, 33, will shake off the ring rust against a journeyman opponent in Manchester - his fanatical army of fellow Mancunians are sure to turn out in force.

Ringside: Hatton will reveal his future plans at a press conference on Friday
This is the plunge Hatton vowed never to take when he formally announced his retirement last year.
The U-turn has been driven by the itch to fight again which gnaws at all great boxers, a nagging reluctance to go out on his back after knockouts by Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao, and the need to find television exposure for the stable of youngsters he promotes.
Personal money is not the lure. Hatton is a multi-millionaire. The urge to fight again took on the heated proportions of a crusade when Sky Sports pulled the plug on his shows even though proteges like Scott Quigg are closing on world title shots.
Naturally, the prospect of the Hitman himself climbing back into the prize-ring has attracted a queue of alternative networks.

Game over? Hatton was destroyed by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas
It is believed that a new TV deal has been brokered with Hatton committed to at least two or three fights.
In our recent poll a majority of fight fans urged Hatton not to risk a comeback but the health issues are not that simple in his case.
At 33 - even though those years have been lived high on the hog - he is still of a good fighting age.
Whether his punch resistance has been weakened by his old binge-drinking and the heavy defeats by Pacquiao and Mayweather is a question which only a return to action can answer.
The medical case in favour of him boxing again is made by the dedication he has been pouring into his training - rather than from a glass - during the last few months.

Ring rusty: Hatton hasn't fought competitively since he faced Pacquiao
There can be no denying that Hatton's lifestyle is much healthier when he is an active boxer. He has barely touched hard drink while coming down to within less than a stone of his world light-welterweight title winning poundage.
Ricky Fatton - as he humorously called himself between fights - said: 'I'm so slim now I nearly fell through a street grating.'
Clearly, that sharp-witted mind remains undamaged by the blows this warrior has taken while thrilling crowds around the world.
The duration of his comeback will be determined by the first couple of bouts.
But if his skills are undiminished more big nights in Manchester and Vegas - even including returns matches with Mayweather and Pacquiao - are not out of the question.
Since Hatton is more likely to damage his well-being outside rather than inside the ring, the British Boxing Board of Control have no grounds on which to refuse to re-license him.
And who does have the right to tell any athlete not to take part in the sport he loves?


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing ... z26C631YzU

[Brute]

Hatton has not fought in over three years and was stopped in the second round in his last fight. I would rather he stayed retired.

[adamheight]

dont know if its rumours but word is he is only coming back because hatton promotions failed to secure tv rights with any of the big british broadcasters, and hatton hopes he can help put more spotlight on hatton promotions and in the future secure tv rights for his growing stable of fighters.

[Brute]

Ricky should not risk his health for promotional purposes. He went as far as he ever could as a fighter.

[kylamy]

Ricky should not risk his health for promotional purposes. He went as far as he ever could as a fighter.

I agree, He is coming back for all the wrong reasons, and my personal view is, He will fail miserably, I would prefer the guy who broke many Aussie hearts by stopping our favourite Kostya Tszyu, should stay retired, He should work his promotions on their merits alone and if he cannot do that, then find something else to do.

After-all, he is reportedly a multi Millionaire, so he should not need money and should have set himself up for life, if he cannot make boxing promotions work on their merit alone, without him having to prop them up by fighting, then as i said, he needs to do something else.

He was a terrific Champion, and from all reports a good bloke, let's hope sanity prevails and he wakes up, cos in-case he doesn't know it, it's a young man's sport, and there are plenty of up and coming young Pom's who would love to have a W over him on their resume.

[adamheight]

hes also coming back at the same weight he left. LWW which is extremely strong, probably the second or third strongest division in the game right now.
guys like matthysse, rios, peterson, garcia would be too much for him i reckon. a fight on british soil v khan would sell big, but i think amir would box his ears off, as would kell brook at this stage.
but anyway, all the best to him. he's one hell of a guy and did a hell of a lot to help put british boxing on the world stage.

[Craig14]

I went to see Ricky Hatton fight a few times down in London, always a great atmosphere. Unfortunatly I wasn't there for the big night in Manchester (against Kostya Tszyu) his finest night. His problem was, and I think will be again is that he takes too many punches. Still the fact that he's coming back as a light welter shows he's serious. Goodluck to him.

[kylamy]

I went to see Ricky Hatton fight a few times down in London, always a great atmosphere. Unfortunatly I wasn't there for the big night in Manchester (against Kostya Tszyu) his finest night. His problem was, and I think will be again is that he takes too many punches. Still the fact that he's coming back as a light welter shows he's serious. Goodluck to him.

Not sure who knows at this stage???

But own very own Lovemore Ndou i believe was to be his opponent for the comeback, Lovemore wanted one more quick hit out which was scheduled for last weekend on Brian and Barry's show, but sadly, he got food poisoning and had to withdraw.

Ndou, i believe would have beaten Ricky at this time anyway, it's a big ask first up for Ricky, I also know Lovemore will be there for the distance and is fit for 12, even though he had some weight issues in the StClair fight that slowed him down a little in the last half.

This will be interesting to see how things pan out, and it will certainly ignite the sport a bit in the old dart, especially after Fletcher sneaks home against Saunders this weekend.

[Craig14]

I think Saunders wins on points.

[kylamy]

I think Saunders wins on points.

Craig,

I hope your wrong of course, but I will admit, that it's that type of fight, where it's so hard to pick a winner, and great to see, a true in the sense 50/50 fight.

I think it will be great for Aussie Boxing, in light of Gealey's recent win, and with Fletcher winning it will certainly make the world, well at least this side of the world look at us a bit.

Not that you can compare a Commonwealth title fight to the Geale v Sturm fight, being a true World dual Championship contest and between two very good fighters with World Championship wins behind them.

Anyway, only time will tell and we are about three days away from knowing just who's who, as i said, i truly believe that Fletcher has the ability and talent to win this, I also picked Geale to win as well against the odds in Germany, so i am on a one fight roll, so stop trying to spoil it on me??

Cheers

[adamheight]

Anyone wanting to watch Fletcher and the full York hall card...you're firstrow sports into google and click the first result...at the website click the boxing and MMA link and you'll find the card which is shown live on the allegedly channel over there....really can't wait,.and can't pick a winner either

[Ipswich Express]

I'm told it'll most likely be at Welterweight. Opponent has been secured. It's not Lovemore.

[kylamy]

I'm told it'll most likely be at Welterweight. Opponent has been secured. It's not Lovemore.

Thanks Ippy,

I knew that Lovemore was in the picture, but perhaps they thought it may have been too tough an ask first up.

I knew if anyone would have the correct weight, it would be you, Its refreshing for a change from the normal we get in here mate.

Cheers

Brad

[Ipswich Express]

All good mate. His opponent is a good one considering his lay off from the sport. He's ranked higher than Lovemore on boxrec. Announced Friday.

[kylamy]

All good mate. His opponent is a good one considering his lay off from the sport. He's ranked higher than Lovemore on boxrec. Announced Friday.

Cheers mate, I hope your well.

Brad

[buster007]

i'd be very surprised if lovemore was ever considered tbh. why after 3 years off and putting on 60kg of donuts and beer would u want to put your fighter in with lovemore? its the wrong type of opponent alltogether imo.

if he is fit and trains properly then i have no concern that he fights on. he is one of the few elites in world boxing. its a question of whether he still has the hunger that counts most i think ( no pun intended, lol )

[colin russell]

So true Buster

[Ipswich Express]

Hatton is already in top shape. Have a look on google. He's been training for months and has brought his weight down slowly over time.

[kylamy]

i'd be very surprised if lovemore was ever considered tbh. why after 3 years off and putting on 60kg of donuts and beer would u want to put your fighter in with lovemore? its the wrong type of opponent alltogether imo.

if he is fit and trains properly then i have no concern that he fights on. he is one of the few elites in world boxing. its a question of whether he still has the hunger that counts most i think ( no pun intended, lol )

Yes your probably correct Buster, I heard it from a very reliable source, but that does not mean it's true, and your assessment of just where Ricky is right now is pretty much spot on, if i was his Management, it would be little steps for the time being until he finds his feet again, cos we all know where he's been and what he's been doing...............well sort of??

But in my humble opinion, it still does not change the fact that he is doing this for all the wrong reasons, and it may comeback to bite him on the you know what, But on the other hand, if he is a success, then it will be a boost for British boxing again no doubt, he is definitely a crowd favourite and one of their favourite sons.

cheers

[Ipswich Express]

He was considered but have gone in another direction. I know his bout with St Claire was looked at.

[adamheight]

I think Saunders wins on points.

sportsbet has Saunders at $1.22 and Fletcher at $4.00...
Quite surprised Fletcher is paying that much especially from an Austrian bookie.

[thunderfromdownunder]

All good mate. His opponent is a good one considering his lay off from the sport. He's ranked higher than Lovemore on boxrec. Announced Friday.

Who is the opponent?

[Brute]

Somebody on the Brit site said it is Frankie Gavin, 13-0 welterweight. 2007 world amateur lightweight champion.

[N2 Shape]

Slightly off topic but considering he had a few bouts up that way any word on what Lucas Browne is upto? Seemed to be gaining some momentum and now all has gone quiet? Ippy?

Cheers

[Ipswich Express]

It's not Frankie Gavin. It's not a British boxer. As for Lucas, an announcement should be made soon. Waiting on a contract for what will be a fantastic fight for him and a huge step in advancing his career if he wins.