By James Slater: Today in London, Ricky Hatton officially announced his retirement from boxing. Aged just 32, the former world light-welterweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight king choked back tears as he spoke to gathered members of the media.
In truth, Hatton’s announcement was one fans saw coming as long as a year or more ago, but it has taken the fighter who fell in love with the sport this long to put the official stamp on his retirement. It was back in May of 2009 when Hatton was left with some serious soul-searching to do, as he was stunned inside two-rounds by a rampant Manny Pacquiao. Hatton later confessed that that loss left him devastated and “at rock bottom.”
There was talk of a comeback, of a farewell fight, and reports told us Ricky was actually back in training. But the old buzz was missing just as the desire was – and Hatton knew it. Problems with cocaine and alcohol followed, before a stint in rehab straightened out the fighting hero. And now, today, the proud ex-champ forced out the words he had no doubt rehearsed in his mind many times over.
“I am very upset,” Hatton said this afternoon in London. “This is a very sad day for me. I know it’s the right decision though. I’ve known it was the right thing to do for 18 months to be honest. It’s a bit of a relief to finally do it. It’s been hovering over my head for such a long time. These last two years have really been frustrating. I hit rock bottom and it almost drove me insane.
“There’s nothing I love more than training for a fight but I have no dreams left now.”
Hatton achieved his life-long dream of emulating his hero Roberto Duran and becoming a world champion in June of 2005, as he sensationally forced the great (and recently Hall of Fame inducted) Kostya Tszyu into quitting on his stool after 11 rough and tough rounds. “The dream is made real,” bellowed U.K sports commentator Ian Darke, as Hatton fell to the floor in sheer ecstasy. A huge underdog going into the fight, even if it was held in his hometown, Hatton fought the fight of his life and simply broke Tszyu’z heart with his effort.
It can be argued that Hatton never fought that well again, that he peaked on that special summer night six years ago. But some great nights still lay ahead all the same. Adding the WBA 140-pound belt to the world title he’d won from Tszyu with a TKO win over the tricky Carlos Mauser that November, Hatton closed out the best year of his entire career – he also enjoyed the distinction of being named Ring Magazine’s Fighter Of The Year for 2005.
A disappointing 2006 saw him fight just once, but the close, even debatable unanimous decision he picked up against Luis Collazo in his first-ever “world” title fight in America, saw the Manchester “Hitman” add the WBA 147-pound belt to his growing collection.
2007 saw Hatton drop back down to his more natural 140, as he fought three times in Las Vegas; thus realising another dream. A solid if unspectacular points win was earned over the physically strong Juan Urango in January, before Hatton scored a perfect body shot to halt Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo inside four-rounds that June. This win set up a mega-fight with the sublimely talented Floyd Mayweather Junior. Ricky would have to box up at 147 once again, however.
Hatton fell short against Mayweather, being stopped in the 10th-round, but the occasion was memorable, as were Ricky’s heroics. Some said the loss to “Money” would be the end of him, but Hatton was back to winning ways the following year – once again whilst fighting in his natural weight class.
The tough Juan Lazcano was almost shut-out over 12 in an exciting night in Manchester, and then the slippery Paulie Maliganaggi was TKO’d in the 12th and final round of a fight that took place in what was rapidly becoming Hatton’s second home: Las Vegas. Then came the brutal loss to Pac-Man.
Blasted out in the 2nd-round of a fight he was never able to get a foothold in, Hatton boxed his last on May 2nd 2009. Fittingly, he went out on his shield under the bright lights of Vegas. That loss brought Hatton’s record to 45-2(32), but these statistics do not tell the story of his incredible career.
As popular as any British fighter you care to mention, if not more so, Hatton brought thousands upon thousands of fans over to America with him time and again. Not since the days of the late Henry Cooper had a British fighter been so loved, so idolised, so thoroughly supported.
His fans will never forget where they were when Hatton was fighting his biggest fights, and Hatton will never forget his fans.