Ricky Hatton announces retirement

Former welterweight and light-welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton has announced his retirement at the age of 32.

He has not fought since he suffered a crushing IBO light-welterweight world title defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in 2009.

Hatton's only other defeat in his 47-fight career came against Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007.

He lost his licence to box in 2010 after allegations about use of cocaine.

Hatton's first major title came in 2000 when he beat Jon Thaxton to become the British light-welterweight champion.

'The Hitman', as Hatton became known, went on to dominate the light-welterweight division with his most notable victory at that weight coming in 2005 against IBF champion Kostya Tszyu.

Tsyzu was a huge favourite for the fight in Manchester, but Hatton overcame the odds to defeat his opponent by technical knockout.

In 2006, Hatton became a two-weight world champion after defeating Puerto Rican Luis Collazo to take the WBA welterweight world title, and he followed that victory up by beating Juan Urango to reclaim his IBF light-welterweight title.

A sensational fourth-round knockout of Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas further increased Hatton's popularity and helped set up his fight with Mayweather Jr in December 2007.

Undeterred by his loss to Mayweather - his first in professional boxing - Hatton returned to the ring with victories over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi in 2008 before he faced the world's pound-for-pound best fighter Pacquiao.

It was a bout that proved too much for Hatton, who was knocked down twice in the first round before being knocked out in the second.

Hatton was linked with several big-name fighters following his loss to Pacquiao, including a rematch with Mayweather Jr, but has now decided to end his 14-year professional career.

huw wrote:Good, a good career and an impressive record losing only to the two best fighters of this generation.

Well done to Ricky for not fighting on and tarnishing a good record.

Fists of Fury wrote:All the best with the promoting Ricky, a great ambassador for British boxing, and a shining example to fighters trying to protect their records...get out there and fight the best when you get the opportunity, if you come up short then so be it, but don't end your career having any regrets.

milkyboy wrote:

Fists of Fury wrote:All the best with the promoting Ricky, a great ambassador for British boxing, and a shining example to fighters trying to protect their records...get out there and fight the best when you get the opportunity, if you come up short then so be it, but don't end your career having any regrets.

or a shining shining example of a guy with a protected record his whole career... who takes a punt for huge money fights at the end of it? The best managed, best marketed british fighter ever. Not a criticism by the way, a compliment to the business acumen of his team. Just not my idea of a shinging example in the context you describe.

School Project wrote:Probably needed a little bit of closure, maybe to have people around him and give him a cheer.

I agree though, waste of time. He picked the wrong day to try and hit headlines with it too!

The Galveston Giant wrote:

School Project wrote:Probably needed a little bit of closure, maybe to have people around him and give him a cheer.

I agree though, waste of time. He picked the wrong day to try and hit headlines with it too!

They've made me work today, did i miss some big news

JDandfries wrote:

milkyboy wrote:

Fists of Fury wrote:All the best with the promoting Ricky, a great ambassador for British boxing, and a shining example to fighters trying to protect their records...get out there and fight the best when you get the opportunity, if you come up short then so be it, but don't end your career having any regrets.

or a shining shining example of a guy with a protected record his whole career... who takes a punt for huge money fights at the end of it? The best managed, best marketed british fighter ever. Not a criticism by the way, a compliment to the business acumen of his team. Just not my idea of a shinging example in the context you describe.

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I think that is harsh, Slappy Joe is the most protected british fighter of all time, and he is the example to follow in that respect