Would or should The Hitman return?

Rumours over recent weeks have circulated that Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton is set to make a sensational return to the ring in the coming months. He himself has been telling followers on the media site Twitter how much work he is putting in while road running, and also tweeting that he has finished his training and only once he has finished does he start to train the other guys, even pictures of a much slimmer Hatton have circulated on the Internet.

Since his devastating knock out defeat to Manny Pacquiao in 2009, he has had many battles outside of the ring with depression, drugs and alcohol however Ricky sought help and once he had defeated these demons it appeared that he had accepted he could no longer perform at the highest level. Since he has worked hard to establish his own promotional company, which was harshly discarded by Sky Sports earlier this summer, and has also begun training fighters like Adam Little and Ryan Burnett. I personally believe it is down to the strict training regime he puts these guys through that Ricky has lost the weight, and I doubt whether he will make his return however the man himself is keeping very tight lipped about the whole situation.

The speculation about his return has grown so much that November or January dates where talked about at his second home, the MEN Arena, against former foe Paulie Malinaggi, current WBA Welterweight Champion. The American hasn’t done anything to distance himself from the fight either, stating on twitter that he’d love to face off against the Manchester man again, and he is confident he could gain revenge.

For a man who showed a fantastic fighting spirit throughout his career he would not have wanted to end the way he did, obviously there is no shame in getting beaten my Pacquiao but it leaves an unfair reflection on an otherwise fantastic career. But why would he make a comeback now? At the age of 33, can he really win the battle with the scales? Does he have the discipline not to balloon in weight again?

If he does make a comeback it won’t be about money, which I am sure of. However it may be a desperate move to get his promotion company a new TV home. There is no doubting that Hatton Promotions has one of the very best stables around, however it does need a figure head.

One thing would remain for Ricky no matter what he decides, and that is the love of the fans. He was a working class hero and just an average guy. It doesn’t matter what Amir Khan, David Haye or Carl Froch says non of the current crop of British fighters have come close to having the support that The Hitman did had in his prime, non of those guys could take so many fans to Vegas and drink the town dry. As things stand he has a fantastic legacy, and a defeat to a lesser opponent should he come back would certainly be a blemish. In my opinion he should stay retired, I would hate to see one of my favourite fighters come back and be nothing more than a human punching bag.

Just put this up on my blog http://thecutman.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/would-or-even-should-the-hitman-return/ and also hoping that one of the Journal guys gets time to publish it. Hoping to get one about Ryan Rhodes and what the future holds for him done tonight as well. Any feedback is welcome guys.

Be great for Warren.......and boxnation...

The tried and tested formula of..

well past it ex champion being beat up by up and coming Warren fighter =

Great victory over a legend.......

Will keep prospering..

Big Hatton fan, but Rickys had his time, hopefully he will see sense and stay retired.

Two weight world champ who was only beaten by the best Rickys got a lot to be proud of why spoil it.

He would love to come back and probably will but shouldn't

Even though he seems to be in shape I doubt he can hit 140lbs, that is a big ask for someone who weighed 12st+ not too long ago and had been abusing his body. If he can't get down to 140 then he shouldnt come back as his style doesn't suit 147

His chin started to weaken at the tail end of his career (not just pacquiao) so I doubt he will be able to take the same kind of shots he used to

Erik Morales made a come back but has been beat by lesser fighters and he was a much better fighter than Hatton. He had a much better defence and better technique which meant he didnt have his chin tested too much whereas Hatton is a face first fighter who will ship a lot of punishment

He lost a lot of credibility with his last fight..he was dreadful.

Made Duran against Hearns look like Sugar ray robbo...

Not sure people will want to see a car wreck..

Bad idea

Hatton did not have enough to break the elite level so why would he have it now?

His pretty bird left him after he lost his shine and his company has struggled I think its money issues and I do not want to see that.

not everyone was a hatton fan and he certainly was no man of the people. with the fear of sounding like gordon, the guy was hyped up to the max by sky who had the average guy believing he should be a hatton fan. turning up to press conferences in versace suits and charging £80 a go for meet and greets and to hear him talk at crap restaurants is not my idea of a peoples man. was an exciting fighter though, and ive always beleived he was better than khan. im sure he wants to come back but he knows its gonna be tough to get in good enough shape to give himself a chance against decent fighters. he could probably come back and earn a load of money and exposure by fighting morales and malignaggi.

I don't think Hatton should return. However, if he does comeback, it'll be fun if he gets a couple of beatings. I never liked him at all.

As I said earlier hope Hatton doesn't come back would hate to see him as a shadow of himself.

Brother was sat in front of him in Las Vegas Barrera fight and got talking to him for ages, said what a cracking bloke down to earth.
Mate got talking to him in Blackpool same again,easy to get on with.

Hatton coming back and getting battered whatever floats your boat I suppose.

Whether you like Hatton or not, the large majority of his events when he got very popular were excellent entertainment and did generate a big buzz.

Yes, that buzz may have been because he attracted a load of scallies across to Vegas to get off their faces (although I don't mean for that term to apply to all his fans of course!) but that is is another argument as most boxing fans, as opposed to casual sport fans, knew he was never close to being pound for pound number one. Regardless of the annoying way he used to speak about being pound for pound as a physical title he could win!

Very good and very brave fighter but not a great. His style caught up with him towards the end. Could very easily have lost the decision against Collazo and rocked to his boots a few times by Lazcano before the Manny destruction.

A personal favourite performance of mine was against Urango. I think he boxed very well that night without being over reliant on using his face like a bumper car.

It would be a fairytale story for some if he were to return and be anything near decent form, but if I was close to him, I'd strongly recommend against it.

To his great credit, he made a whole heap of money and got as far as he could with his talent.

He needs to realise this, respect his career and not risk getting hurt.