You are in > manchester.com  > News > Hatton 'to fight twice in 2008'

Boxing

Hatton 'to fight twice in 2008'

19/12/2007

Ricky Hatton will stage two fights in 2008, despite some media rumours he may be set to quit boxing after his defeat to Floyd Mayweather.

Ray Hatton, the father of the Manchester-born boxer, claimed his son would continue in the sport even though he suffered his first professional defeat in 44 fights earlier this month.

American pugilist Mayweather inflicted a technical knockout on Hatton in the tenth round of their 'Undefeated' clash at Las Vegas' MGM Grand, leading many to suggest the Briton could quit after the biggest paycheque of his career.

But Hatton Snr has dismissed the rumours, saying the former light welterweight world champion will stage two fights in 2008 and could go for three more in 2009.

"Ricky's only 29 and he could go on until his early 30s, but he doesn't want to fight when he is a shadow of himself," Ray Hatton said.

"It goes in cycles with one year having three fights and the next, two, so it will be two next year."

Hatton Snr has also mentioned possible venues for Hatton's next fight, with his home town and Ireland both being mooted as the boxer looks to rebound from the Mayweather loss.

And he responded to criticism from fellow Briton Junior Witter by suggesting his son could offer up a big box-office challenge to the WBC world light welterweight champion.

"He would prefer to fight in Manchester, but he has been asked to go to Ireland where he has a huge fan base," Hatton's father continued.

"It's really too early to say who he'll take on next, but it will be a world-ranked opponent as Ricky's got to get up for it.

"I can see a Junior Witter fight at some stage, but not right now."