By Liam Santiago: After suffering a second knockout defeat to Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37ko’s), Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32ko’s) is stuck with the biggest decision of his carrer, weather to retire or fight on. Although his defeats were brutal he has stated that he is tempted to step back in the ring for one last super-fight against Amir Khan. Amir Khan has told Sky Sports that the fight is a real possibility. Khan has said the promoters are in talks over the fight.
Should it go ahead this may well be the biggest fight in boxing history, in terms of money. Personally, I think the fight would be an amazing spectacle, which would most likely take place at Wembley stadium, London. Altough Hatton has suffered two brutal defeats, it is easy to forget that they came to the two best pound for pound fighters in the world and untill Hatton steps back in the ring no-one knows how much he has left. What is certain is that Khan is no Mayweather or Pacquiao. He would probably try replicate Pacquiao and use speed, but Khan is nowhere near that level and Hatton could easily expose his weak chin issues.
If the fight goes ahead, and Hatton can pull of one of the best and biggest comebacks ever and win, it will most certainly bring Hatton back to the top level in boxing. He is the biggest ticket seller in boxing history and, despite two defeats, will have no trouble carrying on as the big household name, no matter how many losses he has.
Amir Khan is lined up to fight Andriy Kotelnik on 18th July, in a world championship bout. Khan has also suffered a devastating defeat to Briedis Prescott in a sensational 53 second knock-out. Not only does Amir Khan not possess the boxing ability of Pacquiao, he also doesn’t have that level of power. However, we won’t know how much punch resistance Hatton has left untill he fights again. Also, Khan has never been tested at world level boxing, apart from a win over Marco Antonio Barrera, which was unconvincing due to the bout being stopped on a cut suffered from a head clash. However, Khan’ skills must not be under-rated, apart from his chin problem he is an amazingly talented boxer with fast hands, fast footwork and he can punch. Under Khan’s new trainer, Freddie Roache, we may see the same sort of possitive outcome of his chin problem as we have with Wladamir Klitshcko. His fear of being knocked-out might make him that extra bit cautious in his defence and his offence.
A victory for Hatton here could also lead to the much anticipated bout against Junior Witter. The two have had an ongoing rivalry for years and the bout would also be a huge money spinner. For Khan, the victory would not be as big. Critics would claim that Hatton was shot and had nothing left to give.
Another huge decision Hatton has to make is, if he does decide to fight on, who will train him. Certainly not, all mouth no action, Mayweather Snr, who trained Hatton for the Pacquiao fight and was about as useful as a chocolate fire-gaurd. His best option might be to go back to his old trainer, the much under-rated, Billy Graham, who brought Hatton to the top level in boxing and if anyone can bring him back there, it is him.
Ricky Hatton will be announcing his decision this month and, considering that boxing is a business, this will be the biggest and wisest fight for him, should he decide to fight on. He has beaten many great warriors including Kostya Tzyu, Jose Luis Castillo and Juan Urango. Khan will probably be the favourite going into the bout, but Hatton should not be under estimated and considered ‘shot’. He has lost to two of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, which there is no shame in. How would Khan fare against Mayweather or Pacquiao? Who knows.
I very much doubt Hatton will retire, as he has stated in the past he will not go out on a loss. Also, rumours were circulating that he had signed an eight fight deal with sky that is not yet up. The critics saying he is shot is nonsense, the shots that Pacquiao hit him with may have knocked a speeding train off its tracks. The only difference is others would not, maybe, have took them shots. If he does decide to carry on and does take this fight, I fancy him as a big favourite to win and go back to where he belongs, at the top level in boxing.
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