Skip to main content

Ricky Hatton lining up October, November MEN return?

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
‘Hitman’ announcement expected soon

Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton is expected to put an end to rumours of potential comeback to boxing in the next few days, according to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News.

Hatton, 33, has not fought since a devastating knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2009 and has fuelled speculation that he will don the gloves once again by hitting the gym and shedding a substantial amount of weight.

The fighter-turned promoter has been linked to an October world title challenge against former foe Paulie Malignaggi at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, although rumours suggest a fight closer to home would be first of the agenda.

A bout at the MEN Arena, where Hatton fought his defining fight against Kostya Tszyu in 2005, could have already been booked in for October or November if the rumours are true as the likeable Mancunian potentially tests the water with fans in the UK.

A comeback by Hatton would no doubt sell-out in minutes, although there are some fans that would prefer he stayed retired after what was a bad defeat to Pacquiao. It has been suggested that erasing the loss from memory is a major part of any potential return and Ricky's army of supporters could once again be cheering him on in his hometown.

Popular posts from this blog

WBN Remembers: "Gypsy Boy" Ernie Smith

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor  (picure by boxrec.com)  After almost a year and a half without one of boxing’s great journeymen, World Boxing News is looking back at the 161-fight career of Worcestershire warrior Ernie Smith, concentrating on his contribution in the ring, rather than the tragic way his life ended out of it. Smith turned professional at super-featherweight in 1998 at the Park Hall Hotel in Wolverhampton, losing a six rounder against Welshman Woody Greenaway.  One month later, Ernie was thrown in with an unknown prospect by the name of Gavin Rees (former world champion and current British Lightweight Champion) who he also took the distance over four rounds. The “Gypsy Boy” then managed to string together a four fight unbeaten run together in early 1999 and ended the year winning five out of his twelve contests, but by this time had already delved into the journeyman pool of boxers with a record of 5-8-1. After settling at the welterweight limit, Ernie gained a su

Soccer star Tim Cahill’s cousin Jai Opetaia, 16, spars Danny Green

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (Picture from The Brisbane Times) Youngster shares ring with IBO champ Jai Opetaia, cousin of Everton Football Club’s star soccer player Tim Cahill, is a sixteen year-old amateur fighter who is deep in preparations for the forthcoming world youth championships.  Recently the youngster was given the opportunity to spar with Australia’s IBO world light-heavyweight champion Danny Green as he prepares to take on Antonio Tarver and gain valuable experience before his trip to Europe. Opetaia, who hails from Watanobbi, has already taken former world champion Anthony Mundine a few rounds in sparring and has added another world renowned boxer to the list in 38 year-old Green. The Australian amateur team departs for the championships in Kazakhstan this Tuesday and Opetaia thinks the gym time with the Aussie boxing starts will stand him in good stead as he looks to claim gold at the under 80kg category. “It feels pretty special,” Opetaia told the Central Coas

BBC make Luke Campbell mum and sister death gaffe

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Picture from the BBC  Gabby Logan announces wrong family tragedy The BBC made a major mistake on the final showing of their Olympics Tonight show as host Gabby Logan sparked an anxious quizzing by boxer Luke Campbell’s fans as they announced the ‘loss’ of his mother and sister at a young age. Campbell, 24, took the gold medal in the men’s bantamweight final earlier in the day and was then congratulated by Logan, who announced his victory as a triumph over adversity after the Hull fighter suffered the tragedy six years ago. Unbeknown to presenter Logan, it was Welshman Freddie Evans, who also boxes in an Olympic final tomorrow, who suffered the tragedy as he lost his mother Tracy and sister Scarlett in a car accident in 2006. Fans of Olympic champion Campbell and boxing in general, immediately began handing out sympathy to the boxer after believing what was announced to be true. Logan, after an outcry on social networking website Twitte