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Boxing

Hatton 'may quit next year'

05/12/2007

British boxer Ricky Hatton may quit boxing in 2008 after making a "pact" with his family to stop when he reaches his 30th birthday.

The Manchester-born star, 29, is currently gearing up for this weekend's headline fight against the USA's Floyd Mayweather in Nevada.

But his mother has revealed the bout could be one of his last.

"It's the last lap of his career now," Carol Hatton said.

"He's 30 next year and we all made a pact."

There has been talk of a showdown between 'the Hitman' and Oscar de la Hoya at Wembley Stadium next May.

And Hatton's mother said the next six months may be the swansong of his career.

"[He's got] two or three more fights because, after 30, your reflexes slow down," she continued.

"You've got more chance of getting hurt and he doesn't need the money anymore."

Meanwhile Hatton himself was unveiled to the crowd in Las Vegas for the first time before his fight against Mayweather on Saturday night and was roundly cheered.

Mayweather however was greeted by boos as he entered the presentation room at the MGM Grand hotel and Hatton believes this reaction may help the Briton on his way to a historic victory.

"The reason I came to fight in the US in the first place was to get a fanbase and here we are at the grand arrivals and I'm getting all of the cheers," he said.

"Not one person cheered for Floyd, they are all my fans. He seems like a confident man, but I think he's a bit insecure.

"This is his hometown and if I got booed in my hometown of Manchester, I would hate that kind of reception."