Ricky Hatton announces comeback bout after over a decade out of boxing
The 46-year-old former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion confirmed he will take on United Arab Emirates fighter Eisa Al Dah on December 2 in a middleweight showdown in Dubai.
Hatton, who has confirmed the contest will be held over eight three-minute rounds, retired in 2012 after losing to Vyacheslav Senchenko, which was itself a comeback after three years out of the sport.
The Mancunian was supposed to be in Dubai to officially announce the fight with Al Dah but had to appear by video link instead after accidentally injuring his eye last week with his sunglasses.
He said: 'I'm really devastated that I couldn't be there with everyone. I'd much rather be in the Dubai sun rather than the Manchester rain. (But) I'm very much looking forward to (the fight).'
Al Dah, also 46, has won eight of his 11 fights and he vowed an all-action encounter against Hatton.
He said: 'Trust me, this fight will not be like the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight' – referencing the widely-panned bout between the YouTuber-turned-boxer and the ex-world heavyweight champion last November.
Hatton was a unified world champion at light-welterweight, beating IBF champion Kostya Tszyu and WBA titlist Carlos Maussa in 2005, before claiming the WBA welterweight strap in 2006 by outpointing Luis Collazo.
Ricky Hatton is a former two-weight world champion (Nick Potts/PA)
Huge swathes of fans followed him to Las Vegas as he fought and was beaten by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, which led to Hatton battling drink and drug problems and a slide into depression that left him feeling suicidal.
After a return against Senchenko and finishing with a record of 45 wins and three defeats, Hatton turned his hand to training although he did have an exhibition against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022.
He told 11.11 management on its Instagram: 'I'm absolutely delighted to say I'm stepping in the ring to give it another go.
'It's been well-documented I've had my struggles but I'm in a really good place now, loving life, trying to bring the next champions through. But the opportunity has come for me to get in the ring and do it again.'
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Ahead of the fight, Quick-witted Ricky told me: 'Having another boxer threatening to do that to me is a first. 'But I would like to think I have got a fantastic bum.' On Ricky's suggestion, The Sun had flown a band out to provide accompaniment to his 'Walking in a Hatton Wonderland' theme tune. It riled the Mayweather camp. At a pre-fight press conference, I conducted the band in a rendition of the tune before being carried outside by the American's entourage including a 7ft 1in man mountain called Fonz. At the time, Hatton was box office. Over 6,000 travelling Brits cheered him on at the MGM Grand. Over two million tuned in on pay-per-view. Hatton entered the ring to Blue Moon, the signature tune of his beloved Sporting immortality beckoned. Ringside were the Hollywood glitterati, including In the tenth round, Mayweather Jr unleashed a brutal left hook that sent Hatton buckling to the canvas. Ricky got to his feet but his legs were gone. 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I would nip in for three pints on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then come the weekend I would have maybe eight or ten pints of Guinness on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday Ricky Hatton At the time Ricky said: 'I have dabbled with the drug on a few sparing occasions. 'The only time I have ever done it is when I have been so depressed or drunk that it's a case of, 'Go on then'.' Alcohol became a crutch with Ricky adding: 'I would nip in for three pints on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then come the weekend I would have maybe eight or ten pints of Guinness on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.' In November 2012 he sought solace in his beloved boxing ring. A comeback against Ukrainian 'I made my comeback for reasons other than boxing, to fight my demons,' he explained. He once again announced his retirement. In 2016 he split with Jennifer, the mother of his His 24-year-old son Campbell, from a previous relationship, is a professional boxer. 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