Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
‘Hitman’ hits crossroads against former champ Senchenko
Former four-time world champion Ricky Hatton will know later
tonight whether the last six months of painstaking weight-loss and training
have been worth it as he meets dangerous Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko in
Manchester.
The 34 year-old, who announced his retirement in 2009
following a crushing loss to Manny Pacquiao, is hoping to rid himself of some
heavy baggage on the back of that KO, baggage that led to him spiralling into
depression and abusing his body whilst away from boxing.
The ‘Hitman’ made the decision to give boxing another go in
the summer and has since lost five stone (70lbs) as he attempts to get back
into the world title mix at welterweight against one-time WBA title holder
Senchenko.
Donetsk-based Senchenko, 35, only experienced his first defeat
last April when toppled by Hatton-rival Paulie Malignaggi after suffering a bad
eye injury and will be intent on derailing any plans that the likeable
Mancunian has of reclaiming former glories.
If Senchenko can overthrow Hatton tonight it will surely
mean the end of popular fighter’s career, although with odds of 3/1 on, the
bookmakers believe that Hatton can exercise his demons and make a spectacular
return to the top.
A victory for the two-weight world title holder almost
certainly sets up a rematch with Malignaggi sometime in March or April at the
newly-built Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and would give Hatton the opportunity
to claim another world belt immediately.
The anticipation going into this bout is as intense as I can
remember for a contest involving a British
fighter, as the vast majority of fans will be rooting for Hatton and hoping that
another disaster performance, like the Pacquiao defeat, is averted.
With Malignaggi defeating Senchenko in nine rounds of their
title meeting earlier in the year, there is no doubt that Hatton will be keen
to better that performance and I believe he can, and stop the rangy Senchenko within
eight rounds.
With 18,000 adoring fans out to witness the return of one of the UK’s most loved boxing sons, I am
positive that this can lift Hatton to a life-changing victory and put him back
on track to once again be on top of the world.
Hatton v Senchenko is live on Primetime. You can order the card for only £14.95 by calling 08712004444*or click on any of the banners on the WBN website.
Hatton v Senchenko is live on Primetime. You can order the card for only £14.95 by calling 08712004444*or click on any of the banners on the WBN website.