Hatton, 46, announces comeback, ending 13-year retirement
Manchester's Hatton, who turns 47 in October, will fight the UAE's Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight bout on 2 December in Dubai.
Advertisement
The fight was announced during a show promoted by Al Dah in Dubai on Sunday, with Hatton confirming his return via livestream.
Hatton, who won world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight, revealed he should have been in Dubai but could not attend after accidentally injuring his eye with his sunglasses.
"I wish I was there but I had a little bad injury on my eye. The main thing is the fight will take place and I can't wait, I'm really looking forward to it," said Hatton.
"It's just one of them freakish things, I caught one of my sunglasses in my eyes and I'm very fortunate it's not done any permanent damage. It's just scraped the surface, so fingers crossed we're good to go."
Advertisement
Hatton, who won 45 of his 48 professional bouts across an esteemed 15-year career, last fought professionally in 2012, suffering defeat by Ukraine's Vyacheslav Senchenko.
He earned notable world title wins over Russia's Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo among others, before defeats by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.
Hatton's announcement comes after Pacquiao, 46, confirmed his return - a title bout with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on 19 July - in May.
Al Dah, 46, who has won eight of his 11 bouts, last fought in 2021, suffering defeat by Mexico's Pedro Alejandro Delgado.
Advertisement
More boxing from the BBC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card: Date, Time And Location
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Manny Pacquiao (L) and Mario Barrios (R) pose prior to their WBC ... More welterweight fight at The NOVO at L.A. Live on June 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing in 2021. The only boxer to win titles in eight weight divisions ends that retirement this week in Las Vegas when he faces WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in the main event of a PBC pay-per-view boxing card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Time: 5:30 p.m. ET Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card How to Watch Or Stream: Amazon Prime Video Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Fight Card Streaming Cost: $79.95 Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios Full Fight Card Mario Barrios (29-2-1) vs. Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2): For Barrios's WBC welterweight championship Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1-) vs. Tim Tszyu (25-2-0): For Fundora's WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles Isaac Cruz (27-3-1) vs. Angel Fierro (23-3-2): Junior welterweight Brandon Figueroa (25-2-1) vs. Joet Gonzalez (27-4-0): Featherweight Gary Russell Jr. (31-2-0) vs. Hugo Castaneda (15-2-1): Lightweight David Picasso (31-0-1) vs. Kyonosuke Kamed (15-4-2): Junior featherweight Mark Magsayo (27-2) vs. Jorge Mata Cuellar (21-2-2): Junior lightweight Mario Barrios Vs. Manny Pacquiao Opening Betting Odds And Betting Line Movement When the betting odds for the Barrios vs. Pacquiao were first published, Barrios was listed as the -750 betting favorite over the +470 Pacquiao. The champ is now -390, while the challenger is +220. Mario Barrios Vs. Manny Pacquiao Mexican-US boxer Mario Barrios holds a championship belt during the press conference ahead of his ... More July 19 WBC welterweight title fight against Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao at the NOVO at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on June 3, 2025. Manny Pacquiao on June 3 shrugged off concerns about his decision to return to boxing at the age of 46 as he prepares for next month's world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios. The charismatic Filipino boxing icon stunned the sports world last month after announcing he would take on World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing defeat. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) The 30-year-old Barrios won the vacant WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 with a unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugás. He retained the belt in May 2024 with a decision victory over Fabián Maidana. The WBC elevated Barrios to full championship status in June 2024. In his most recent outing, which came in November, Barrios fought Abel Ramos to a split draw to retain the belt. 'If the roles were reversed, Pacquiao wouldn't try to take it easy on me,' Barrios told The Ring. 'He's not going to feel sorry for me in there. It's just the reality of the sport. I am ready to defend my title by any means necessary. 'It's kill or be killed in there. I have to go in there and make sure my hand is raised by any means necessary, whether it's by knockout or by decision. He has age. I have to be ready for whatever he brings.' 'He's such a likable dude,' Barrios said of his opponent. 'It's hard to be like, 'Man, I'm about to square up with him for my title.' But I am going in there with bad intentions. I am trying to get him out of there.' Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) is the No. 3 ranked 147-pounder according to ESPN. Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao attends the press conference ahead of his July 19 WBC welterweight ... More title fight against Mexican-US boxer Mario Barrios at the NOVO at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on June 3, 2025. Manny Pacquiao on June 3 shrugged off concerns about his decision to return to boxing at the age of 46 as he prepares for next month's world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios. The charismatic Filipino boxing icon stunned the sports world last month after announcing he would take on World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing defeat. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) ESPN reported on Pacquiao coming out of retirement in early May. The former eight-division boxing champion confirmed his return on Instagram, writing, 'On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let's make history! #TeamPacquiao 🇵🇭' The 46-year-old Pacquiao last fought in August 2021 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight championship. Not long after that setback, Pacquiao announced his retirement. "Even me, I'm amazed at what I have done," Pacquiao said in a video he posted on social media. "The only boxer to hold world titles in four different decades and became the oldest boxer to win a world welterweight title, an amazing accomplishment." "It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over," he added. "Today, I am announcing my retirement. I never thought that this day would come. As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao." Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) was the No. 6 ranked welterweight, according to ESPN, when he retired. He is currently unranked. "Goodbye, boxing. Thank you for changing my life," Pacquiao added. "You gave me the chance to find a way out of poverty. Because of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world. Because of you, I have been given the courage to change more life. "I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life. I can't imagine that I have just heard the final bell." We will have more on the Manny Pacquiao Vs. Mario Barrios as fight night nears.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Giancarlo Stanton's solo home run (4)
Marcus Stroman, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge react to Yankees dramatic comeback win Despite trailing 5-0 heading to bottom of the eighth inning, starter Marcus Stroman marveled at the Yankees' resilience in staging a dramatic comeback to win 6-5 in 10 innings and complete a three-game sweep of the Mariners.. Giancarlo Stanton, who delivered a pinch-hit two-run homer, called it a "huge win." Captain Aaron Judge who drove in the winning run with a sac fly in 10th, praised Anthony Volpe for his tremendous effort in avoiding the tag at home plate. Judge admitted, "We stole one there." 5:28 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Congratulations Pouring In For Lindsey Vonn Sunday
Congratulations Pouring In For Lindsey Vonn Sunday originally appeared on The Spun. Congratulations are pouring in for legendary U.S. Olympian Lindsey Vonn on Sunday. Vonn, 40, shared some big news on social media. The longtime U.S. skier has been nominated for an ESPY award. Vonn has been nominated for Best Comeback, as she returned to professional skiing at age 40, despite suffering numerous crushing injuries in recent years. The legendary U.S. Olympian returned in 2025 after several years away, with good performances at the World Cup and other events. "Can't believe I'm nominated for another ESPY award… wow! Means a lot to me and it's very humbling. I'm nominated for Best Comeback (only 10 years after my first comeback nomination 🤪) which is a category filled with incredible, incredible women. I voted for @sunisalee as her comeback in Paris was beyond impressive!" she wrote. "Voting is still open until the 16th. Will put a link to vote in my bio and stories. 🙏🏻 But in honor of the nomination I decided to throw it back to some of my favorite ESPY kits and some that I'd rather pretend I never wore haha 🤦🏼♀️ which is your favorite? "See you next week ESPYS! ❤️" Congratulations are pouring in for her on Sunday morning. "Yes queen," one fan wrote. "Because you're the best!!!! ❤️🙌❤️," one fan added. "YOURE EVERYTHING," one fan added. "Yup I voted 🗳️ for ya," one fan added. "I'd say that you have done well for yourself in this life Miss Lindsey," one fan added. "Congratulations! You deserve it!" one fan added. "Congratulations!!! 🙌 I'll see you there! 😁" one fan added. "You get out of life what you put into it and safe to say you have earned it all my friend 🏆🏆🙏🙏," one fan added. It's great to see that Lindsey Vonn is doing so well in the middle of her skiing comeback. Congratulations Pouring In For Lindsey Vonn Sunday first appeared on The Spun on Jul 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
