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Ricky Hatton saga to end on Friday

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
‘Hitman’ to admit rumours are true

Two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton is expected to finally end his three-year exile from professional boxing this coming Friday at a press conference in Manchester.

The 33 year-old has constantly denied the swirling rumours of a comeback to prizefighting, but is now set to admit that the reports are true and he will fight again on November 24 at the MEN Arena.

Hatton’s last fight came back in 2009 when a peak Manny Pacquiao swiftly ended their IBO light-welterweight title bout at the MGM Grand with a damaging showing of power punching to leave the ailing Briton flat on his back in the second round.

The defeat left Hatton distraught and spiralling into a depression of drink and drugs, until a very public fall from grace made the likeable Mancunian come to his senses and straighten himself out.

Two years on and the ‘Hitman’ has a thriving gym and a top stable of champion fighters under his wing, with the likes of Scott Quigg, Martin Murray and Rendall Munroe signed to his promotional banner.

All that is left for Hatton is to erase the memory of his devastating loss and he can then retire with the dignity he and all of his army of fans thought he deserves to - not staring into space at the famous Las Vegas boxing arena.

The announcement is expected to detail the huge bill in Manchester, where Hatton last fought in probably his defining night against Kostya Tszyu in 2005 and will be an emotional return for all involved.

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