Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
Younger sibling right behind ring return
WBN Editor
Former European welterweight champion ‘Magic’ Matthew Hatton
has a new rival in his division and it is none other than his elder brother
Ricky, who returns to ring following a three-year absence on November 24.
Matthew, the younger brother by 31 months, fights for a
world title next year after a warm-up next week at Bowlers in Manchester,
whilst Ricky will face former world champion and one-time rival of Matthew,
Vyacheslav Senchenko at Manchester Arena.
With both brothers now fighting at the forefront of the 147lb
weight-class, WBN spoke to Matthew about Ricky’s decision to come out of
retirement on the back of his crushing knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao at the
MGM Grand in 2009.
“When I first heard of Richard's return to the ring it came
as a big surprise to me,” Matthew told World Boxing News using Ricky’s full
name out of brotherly respect.
“I obviously think the world of my brother and it is
difficult to see someone you love fighting and vice versa as I know it is difficult
for him to watch me, so in a way part of me was relieved when he retired.
“Richard is not daft though especially when it comes to
boxing and nobody knows your own body better than yourself. He is also a very
strong character and his own man, so nobody has the right to tell him to
continue or retire.
“He knows his own body and capabilities and if he feels he
can still achieve great things in the sport then that’s good enough for me and
as always I am 100% behind him.
“I believe he is looking very well in the gym, but obviously
I have been in training for my own fight against Michael Lomax for several
weeks and having different trainers, in different gyms means it has been
difficult to see him in action.
“Once I have taken care of my own business on the 12th
October I will be down to the gym to have a look for myself first hand and
help him in any way that I can.”
Ricky, 33, announced last Friday that his return opponent would be
the Ukrainian Senchenko, who was on Matthew’s radar for a good six months at
the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 and could be a shrewd move according to
the 31 year-old.
“I think it is a good choice of opponent for Richard. Senchenko
is a former world champion with only one defeat and his credentials speak for
themselves,” he pointed out.
“Obviously I have seen a fair bit of Senchenko as he was a
target for myself a while ago. He won the title against one of my former
victims Nuzhnenko and is a good solid fighter. But having seen him a few times,
I feel if Richard can rediscover his old form then Senchenko won't have an
enjoyable stay in Manchester and will struggle to hear the final bell.”
Many are suggesting that the ‘Hitman’ could be put straight
in with Senchenko’s only conqueror Paulie Malignaggi if he can take out the
former WBA champion next month and Matthew believes the more titles are
possible for Ricky if the tank is still full.
“Obviously if Richard can rediscover his old form he would
have no problems in winning another world title. But I am a realist and he has
had a long period of inactivity. We will know more after the 24th November as
Richard say's himself.”
Asked whether avenging his defeats to pound for pound stars
Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao were on Ricky’s mind, Matthew was airing on
the side of caution as to looking too far ahead to blockbuster clashes.
“I am not so sure if they are the names he is chasing though
and only he can answer that. But Richard still feels he has a lot to offer to
the sport and like I originally thought at the time, it ended so badly aganst
Pacquiao.
"When you have had such a fantastic career as my brother has had, it’s only natural that you want to go out at the top on a high note.”
"When you have had such a fantastic career as my brother has had, it’s only natural that you want to go out at the top on a high note.”
More realistic in Matthew’s eyes is the fight everyone is
suddenly talking about; Amir Khan v Ricky, which could effectively be staged in
a venue as big as Wembley Stadium with the amount of interest surrounding a domestic battle.
“100% the Khan fight can be made,” emphasized Matthew. “For
me it is the natural fight to make and is a British blockbuster.
“If Richard rediscovers his old form and Amir can also get
back on track, I am convinced this is a fight that is sure to take place.”
Ricky, or Richard’s comeback has no doubt got the British
fans buzzing again and it is not only his brother’s instinct that makes him so
protective as all the UK fans feel like they want to shelter Ricky from any
more potential hurt in or outside of the ring.
But Hatton Snr is back doing what he loves doing, more
importantly what he has missed doing and Matthew believes that his brother can
go on for as long as he wants, with the stipulation that he hasn’t diminished in
his ability to compete.
“How long can Ricky fight on for? Well how long can any
fighter see themselves fighting for? The nature of the sport means any fighter’s
career could end at any time.
“It all depends on how he performs in November, but
hopefully it could be the start of something very special again and only time
will tell.”