Hatton announces his boxing return

Former World Champion Ricky Hatton today announced a sensational return to professional boxing, more than three years after his last bout.

Hatton, nicknamed “The Hitman”, retired last year with a record of 45 wins and two defeats, but has not fought since May 2009 when he was defeated by Manny Pacquiao.

“It’s more than a comeback,” said Hatton. “I’m fighting to redeem myself.”

“I want British boxing to be proud of me again,” added Hatton. “The only way to convince everyone I’m back is by flattening someone on 24^th November.”

That date is when Hatton will take on a yet un-named opponent at the Manchester Arena, and Hatton, who admitted using cocaine in 2010, feels he is in his best ever shape.

“I’ve started looking after myself a bit better and getting fitter. That’s how it started. I don’t want to be fighting at four or six-round levels – I want to fight for world titles.”

“It’s about more than money, this comeback. People say nice things about me but they don’t know what’s been going on in between my ears.”

“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in 12 weeks before a fight because I’m making up for three years of lost time.”

Hatton had lost his license to fight in 2010 after he admitted his drug use, but appeared before the British Boxing Board of Control on Wednesday to appeal for the decision to be overturned. Hatton had been promoting fights since his retirement, most notably for his brother Matthew, but the lure of the ring was too much for “The Hitman”.

The editorial unit