RICKY HATTON hopes his Oasis-like ring return will inspire those struggling with their mental health.
The Manchester icon will lace up his gloves again on December 2 for a Dubai dust-up with Eisa Aldah – thirteen years after his ill-fated comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
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Hatton, 46, ballooned up in weight after his retirement as he struggled with alcohol abuse and depression, but got himself back on the straight and narrow three years ago for an exhibition bout with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera.
And ‘The Hitman’ has been driven to step between the ropes again in the same year the Gallagher brothers reunited after being blown away by fans’ reaction to his shedding of the pounds.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, he said: “It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I’m at.
“Especially bearing in mind all my problems I’ve had personally with mental health and stuff like that.
“It was nice for so many people to come up to me and go, ‘Oh, I’ve always struggled with my weight and to see you get it off at your age.’
“‘I’ve always struggled with my mental health and I’ve had my problems.
“‘And to see where you were a few years ago to what you’re doing now, it’s inspirational.”
The competitive fire which Hatton to become a two-weight world champion still burns deep inside former fan favourite Hatton.
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
Ricky Hatton tasted defeat just three times in an illustrious 46 fight career that saw him earn an estimated £37million in prize money. Here are some of his most memorable victories:
Tommy Peacock by TKO – In his 11th fight as a professional Ricky won his first title – the vacant Central Area light-welterweight belt – at Oldham Sports Centre
Jon Thaxton on points – Ricky picked up national honours when he defeated Thaxton for the vacant British light-welterweight strap at Wembley Conference Centre in 2000
Kostya Tsyzu retired – In front of a rapturous home crowd inside Manchester’s MEN Arena, Ricky became a world champion for the first time. He won the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles against the former undisputed champ Tsyzu
Luis Collazo unanimous decision – Just three fights later Ricky added to his title collection, claiming the WBA light-welterweight title stateside by beating tough Collazo over 12 rounds
Paulie Malignaggi TKO – Ricky’s final boxing victory came against loud-mouthed American-Italian fighter Malignaggi in Las Vegas. The Hitman let his fists do the talking and stopped his foe in the 11th round. He earned a cool $2.5million for his night’s work.
Six months later Ricky would taste defeat for a second time, the first being against Floyd Mayweather in 2007, against Phillippino superstar Manny Pacquiao. He suffered a brutal second round knockout and was taken to hospital for a precautionary brain scan
But he has no intention of taking a step up in calibre of opponent or a big-money freakshow fight after trading heavy leather with Gulf legend Aldah.
“It’s not like a Manny Pacquiao fight when I’m going in for a world title against a world champion,” he said. “And I certainly hope I’m not going to be fighting like Mike Tyson is going into his 60s.
“And Paulie Malignaggi, a former opponent, he’s doing a bare-knuckle one.
“I know everyone’s a bit worried about me, but you don’t have to worry. It’s not as bad as those three.
“I think I know what fights I’m capable of doing and I know which fights are beyond me. And this one is one I’m capable of doing. Don’t worry about me.”
He added: “It makes me feel so proud that I was so loved and that people get worried when they hear of me making a comeback. But I’m not as daft as I look.
“I know what fights are beyond me, I know which fights are silly for me, I know which fights I’m capable of and which ones are sensible for me.
“And this is one of them, so I’ll do you proud again.”
“I know everyone’s a bit worried about me, but you don’t have to worry.”
Rick Hatton on his comeback
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Father Time waits for no fighter in the hurt business and has brutally punished many a pugilist, including Hatton, over the years.
“The party can’t last forever,” he admitted. “Sooner or later, you’ve got to slow down. And I think I’ve reached that stage.
“But I’m in such a good place mentally, from where I was a few years back, and physically.
“I haven’t got a six pack these days, but, you know, Ricky Hatton‘s belly’s gone.
“So things are all good and it’s nice from how bad it was to what it is now.
“Most people most weeks, say, ‘From where you were, Rick, to what you’re doing now, it’s so inspiring. And that’s half the reason why I do it as well.”
