Hatton has plenty more to achieve

There were plenty of people after Floyd Mayweather had knocked out Ricky Hatton who thought the Mancunian should retire. The thought never really entered his head however. Hatton has made a fortune from boxing, but it is not just money that drives him.

Ahead of his bout with Paulie Malignaggi, the names of possible future opponents get thrown up - presuming he wins. The winner of the bout between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao is an obvious one, while Juan Diaz is also in town and his name has been put forward.

But it is only the last five weeks training with Floyd Mayweather Jr that has given Hatton a long-term view of his career. Before that, he thought he could have been on the slide.

"There’s still more I need to do," Hatton said. "I have always been honest with myself but after the Lazcano thought I was thinking that I had seen better days.

"I've had defining fights, Kostya Tszyu seems like a lifetime away, but he was the best pound-for-pound at the time. Winning against Castillo was another highlight, doing a job on him, the Mayweather fight although I didn’t win, was memorable. Maybe he will go down as one of the all time greats so there was no shame in losing to him and then moving back down to my normal division of 140 pounds.

"I could be laying in bed with my feet up but there is still plenty in boxing that I want to do that is why i am putting myself through all of this."

Comments

[Noel Brennan]

I don't really think there is anyone at Light Welter, so unless Pacquiao fights Hatton at that weight he should move up. I've always wanted to see him fight Cotto, and a fight against Margarito could be fantastic.

[David X]

Ricky should concentrate on some big fights back in Britain. If he got more tha 50,000 for Lazcano, just think what he could get for a De la Hoya (...or even Witter)

[Tommy The Hit Man]

Diaz is a great call about a next opponent. Strong exciting fighter, that's a match I'd like to see.
Good luck Ricky