Ricky Hatton has announced that he is to come out of retirement at the age of 43.
The Manchester boxer shared the news of his return to the ring on social media, announcing that he’ll be taking on Mexican star Marco Antonio Barrera.
The former world champion – nicknamed ‘The Hitman’ – retired from professional boxing in 2012 after a loss against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
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That last fight was three years after his previous bout against Manny Pacquiao.
Still, the former light-welterweight world champion seems keen to get back into the swing of things in his hometown later on this year.
On his personal Twitter account, Hatton wrote: "I can confirm my return to the ring.
"Join me for a huge party night - with top music acts - in Manchester on July 2. It's not how you fall, it's how you rise..."
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48-year-old Barrera was himself a three-weight world champion, and the pair will box in an eight round exhibition match.
Barrera was beaten by Amir Khan back in 2009 and fought his last professional fight in 2011, stopping Jose Arias and registering the 67th win of his 75 fight career.
Hatton’s career lasted 45 fights with only three defeats, two of which came against Pacquiao and the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, before that final defeat against Senchenko.
During his career he commanded one of the largest fanbases in sport, with thousands following him around the globe and creating a raucous atmosphere wherever he fought.
He is rightly regarded as one of the best British boxers of all time, evidenced by the fact that two of his three losses have come against all-time greats of the sport.
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Hatton has said that the non-decision charity exhibition match will not spark a ‘real comeback’ to the ring, but he wants to give something back to the city of Manchester after difficult times over the past few years.
He said: “I am doing this for fans who struggled being locked up with Covid.
“I got a call and was asked if I would come back to do this for the fans who have been locked up for ages during Covid. Covid has been tough for me, for everyone.
“I want to inspire people who have had mental health problems, too.
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“They can look at me and say 'He struggled and now look at where he is' so they can do it too.”
Hatton also said that his desire to return to the ring was driven partly by the return of fellow retired professional Mike Tyson, who came back to box against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.
Tom Wood