Boxing Perspective: Should Ricky Hatton Hang Up The Gloves?

KO losses don’t come any more devastating than the one Ricky Hatton suffered against Manny Pacquiao and the question must now be asked: should “The Hitman” retire or keep going?

There doesn’t seem to be any point in a rematch given Pacquiao’s thorough dismantling of the British bulldog, unlike the Filipino’s clashes with Mexican greats Eric Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera.

There seem to be three ways the Hatton camp can proceed from this point. Either pull the plug on a highly decorated 12 year pro career or continue to face world class opposition in America in search of more world titles or return to England and fight lesser opposition.

Retiring represents the least profitable option of course but Hatton’s legacy, which saw Ricky only come up short against the two greatest fighters of his generation, would remain intact, something that could prove invaluable to any future career as a promoter or boxing commentator in the UK.

Continuing to fight top opposition in America, which could include such fighters as Timothy Bradley, Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt, Ricardo Torres or a rematch with Juan Urango is the most dangerous option but also one which could go some way to restoring a measure of Hatton’s former standing as the top light welter in the world.

The third path Team Hatton could take would be a few farewell bouts held in English football stadiums, against names such as Junior Witter, Amir Khan or even the recently “retired” Oscar De La Hoya. The fan turnout in any of those matchups would likely break the attendance record of 57,000 that Hatton vs. Juan Lazcano set last year at City of Manchester Stadium.

Any official announcement of Hatton’s future plans is likely still a long way off but it should be very interesting to see what happens next.