Thread: Hatton: I'm not interested in fighting Khan

Ricky Hatton has scoffed at the idea of fighting Amir Khan — and dropped his heaviest hint yet that he will retire.

The Hitman has just been released from hospital following a stomach bug but has been mentioned as a possible opponent for the newly-crowned WBA junior welterweight champion.

Khan and trainer Freddie Roach refused to rule out the prospect of an all-British showdown following the Bolton man's points win over Andriy Kotelnik on Saturday night.

But Hatton says he might not even fight again, never mind against his friend and fellow Lancastrian.

"I'm not thinking about boxing at the moment," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"Maybe I'll wake up one day and think 'let's give it another go', but I might not. I'm not missing it. Fighting is the furthest thing from my mind.

"I'm delighted for Amir. I can't praise him enough. He's gone back to the drawing board and answered any questions there might have been about him.

"But the fact that he's won a world title has not made me any closer to a comeback. It hasn't entered my head. I don't think I have to beat Amir Khan to prove anything."

Rumours have suggested that Hatton wants to fight on following his devastating loss to Manny Pacquiao in May.

He was expected to come back for at least one more fight in front of his home fans before calling time on a stellar career.

But the 30-year-old says he has already achieved more than he could have hoped for in the ring and the prospect of a comeback couldn't be further from his mind right now.

"When I look back at my career nobody expected me to do what I've done," he said.

"I won five titles at two different weights. I've only lost to the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world. If I don't fight again I can hold my head high.

"Maybe somewhere down the line I might think about giving it another go and if he is still world champion then obviously he would be a possibility."

He needs to retire, don't risk losing to a less than stellar fighter Ricky. Losing to two no.1 pound for pound fighters is not that bad at all.

As what Ricky said, he can hold his head high since he only lost to P4P best boxers in the world.

Just retire Ricky. That loss to Mayweather was not shameful; the last one vs. Pac could haunt him anytime he sets foot in the ring; that was enough to ruin anyone.

I'd like to see him have a go at training or helping his brother along to maybe bigger and better things.

Originally Posted by odaks

As what Ricky said, he can hold his head high since he only lost to P4P best boxers in the world.

Never read the whole thing, he did say that at the end my fault.

Originally Posted by Kel

He needs to retire, don't risk losing to a less than stellar fighter Ricky. Losing to two no.1 pound for pound fighters is not that bad at all.

No it's not that bad. And he can also take comfort that he provided the Boxing world with 2 of the best knock outs ever. To bad for him he was the one getting knocked out. But hey they were classic

Originally Posted by Violent Demise

Originally Posted by Kel

He needs to retire, don't risk losing to a less than stellar fighter Ricky. Losing to two no.1 pound for pound fighters is not that bad at all.

No it's not that bad. And he can also take comfort that he provided the Boxing world with 2 of the best knock outs ever. To bad for him he was the one getting knocked out. But hey they were classic

To be fair, those two KO's are pretty much classics.

I agree, it's not the losses that define his legacy, it's all the resounding victories against top notch opposition.

Originally Posted by CGM

I agree, it's not the losses that define his legacy, it's all the resounding victories against top notch opposition.

In that case Hatton will be forgotten very quickly

Originally Posted by Violent Demise

Originally Posted by CGM

I agree, it's not the losses that define his legacy, it's all the resounding victories against top notch opposition.

In that case Hatton will be forgotten very quickly

Oooh, that's tough.

I can see Hatton steering clear of this and I think it would be a good thing too. If he does fight again he needs to be in with someone who if he loses there won't be any shame, but who that is I don't know. If he lost to Khan it would be embarassing as he is still generally looked on as being a novice.

Problem is, does anyone want to know Ricky for a top match up, I doubt it so the Khan fight may be the only option to gain a belt and big pay day. I could see it all go horribly wrong for Hatton. He also doesn't have time for any kind of tune ups to get back to the big stage.

I want to see Ricky retire and enjoy life, go out on his feet not on his shield.

I'd like to see Hatton - Campbell, but then again I'm a big fan of Campbell's and I'd like to see him earn the payday. I think he'd beat Hatton, but it's no forgone conclusion.

Hatton seems to be leaning more towards retirement than anything else IMO. The loss has probably taken a lot out of him emotionally. He was aiming for the top and he just couldn't do it. Hatton, like anyone, has an ego and it got a good old bruising against Manny. Very tough to take.

If he comes back he is not going to be able to fight at that level again. He could probably win a belt but I imagine Hatton's pride has been dashed and that just might not be enough to motivate him anymore. If that is the case then he probably should retire.

Part of me would like him to comeback and go out on a win though. And to beat up Khan on the way would be a delight, but if it's going to be half hearted then there is no point.

Originally Posted by miles

Hatton seems to be leaning more towards retirement than anything else IMO. The loss has probably taken a lot out of him emotionally. He was aiming for the top and he just couldn't do it. Hatton, like anyone, has an ego and it got a good old bruising against Manny. Very tough to take.

If he comes back he is not going to be able to fight at that level again. He could probably win a belt but I imagine Hatton's pride has been dashed and that just might not be enough to motivate him anymore. If that is the case then he probably should retire.

Part of me would like him to comeback and go out on a win though. And to beat up Khan on the way would be a delight, but if it's going to be half hearted then there is no point.

That part right there is my concern Miles, I am a fan of Hatton and would also like to see Khan do well if he can pull his head in a bit. But if Hatton does it for the sake of it without any real heart he could get hurt even against Khan.
I would still back a full on Hatton over Khan any day but his mental state is fragile and he should only step back in if he has no self doubt which is going to be hard.

His mindset had already retired.

With the string of bad beatings still fresh and barely passed within our midst, focus on the boxer's well-being is foremost.

That said, it is therefore dangerous for Hatton to take a direction weighted less than but a full conviction in his mind, for a comeback.

Half baked in this endeavor, a comeback, will get him seriously in a health hazard situation.

He should allow only the truthful tongue, if at all, to guide his path. Otherwise his heart is his rudder.

In all seriousness.