Board set to approve Hatton comeback
Ricky Hatton is set to be given the go-ahead to return to boxing
Ricky Hatton will be granted a new boxing licence providing he successfully completes all parts of a medical, the British Boxing Board of Control have confirmed.
The former two-weight world champion, who turns 34 next month, retired three years ago but is set to relaunch his career at a press conference in Manchester on Friday. Hatton, who has been crowned both light-welterweight and welterweight champion, attended a BBBoC meeting on Thursday after shedding almost three stones in training this year.
BBBoC General Secretary Robert Smith told Press Association Sport: "He [Hatton] came before the board yesterday. I'm not a doctor but once we get the medicals in our doctors will look at them. If they are fine they will be signed off. That's all we're waiting for."
He added: "He's been granted it [the licence] pending his medical - so subject to the completion of all his medicals.
"We've got some parts of it but there are a few parts to a medical. We have received some of it but we are just waiting for the rest of it and when we get the rest of it, I presume at the beginning of next week, we'll put it all together and our doctors will consider it."
Hatton was the subject of allegations of cocaine abuse two years ago but Smith says the Manchester-based boxer has cleaned up his act.
"He was very frank," Smith said. "He admitted things he had done wrong and was looking to put it behind him.
"He looked very well and spoke very well and is entitled to another opportunity, pending his medicals."
Hatton's last bout was a brutal second-round knockout by Manny Pacquiao in May 2009 and he has since established his own promotions company which ran into problems in May when he lost his television deal with Sky.
For his comeback fight, it is likely the undercard would feature a majority of Hatton Promotions boxers, including Martin Murray, Anthony Crolla, Rendall Munroe and Scott Quigg.
I wish Ricky Hatton well but i wish he would reconsider
I once met Sir Henry Cooper one hell of a nice guy (he even bought me a pint) he drank water
Sir Henry had hands like shovels and was as big as a barn door and the kindest gentlest man you could ever wish to meet a great sense of humour and a credit to the sport
he carried on fighting too long and ended up losing to a young no mark who was not fit to lace his boots (joe Bugner)
Joe went on to lose a 15 rounder on points to an aging Muhammad Ali
Ali in his prime would have whupped him in the first round
The point I am making is that no matter how big and strong you are age catches up with all of us boxing for heavyweights can go on a little longer than most but all eventually succumb to age and the punch of a younger man
Boxing as it's problems,it always as done just like many other sports have.
Tragic deaths in the ring,disgracefull behavier by-well you know the recent boxers that I am refering to.
But the British Boxing Control have lost touch with this great sport,a long time ago.
Just when you think things are going to change,especialy after Frank Warren had the balls to speak up against the "Board." What goes and happens?The British Boxing Control,in all there wisdom and for the good of the sport,decide to grant Ricky Hatton,allegely a class A drug addict and a well known lover of going over the top of booze,booze and more booze,thrown in with a passion for food that would make a elephant blush,is fight licence back.
A once great sporting icon and a bloody great boxer of his time,came down to earth with a bang,just like many a great sporting icons have done in the past.
George Best,say no more.
This decision is plain and utterly stupid and will damage the sport even more that as already had some major kickings lately,even further.
This latest ****-up is just feeding ammunision to the anti-boxing brigade who want this sport banned.
This sport does not need banning,it needs someone to lead the British Boxing Control by people who actualy know about the sport.
Ricky-stay retired,for the good of the sport you surely love.
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It must be very difficult for a boxer like Ricky just to walk away after fighting 2 of the greatest pound for pound fighters of all time.
Please be careful Ricky, you're obviously serious and a great professional - but you're no spring chicken anymore! So no more pie and chips and a few beers with the lads! Your destiny is quite literally in those dangerous hands of yours!
All the best fella
"HATTON'S LAST BOUT, a brutal second round Knockout by Manny Pacquiao" summs it up!!. Lad should stay put, retired. Loveley bloke, tough fighter, who sadley fought with his head hung out to dry. The football Thug type fan who follow and think Ricci a real champion of the people, fail to understand that his style of brawler, in the modern age, leads to only one thing. Brain damage!!. BBBC should step in now, and refuse him a licence.
