Ricky Hatton has taken to social media to explain the thought process behind his December 2 return to the ring.
Former 140 and 147lbs champion Hatton, now 46, is one of boxing’s most-beloved figures and retired in 2012 after a failed comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
That came three years after his previous bout, when stopped in two rounds in Las Vegas.
Speaking to BoxingScene on Sunday, Hatton confirmed the return and that he would be fighting Eisa Al Dah in Dubai later this year.
Dah, from the United Arab Emirates, is 46 and has an 8-3 (4 KOs) record. In his last fight, he was stopped in a round in Mexico in 2021 and before that had not fought since 2012.
Hatton’s son, Campbell, followed in his father’s footsteps and turned pro, but now the 45-3 (32 KOs) Hatton – who coaches fighters at his gym in Manchester – will return.
“Just a quick statement at how excited I am to be putting the gloves on again on December 2nd in Dubai,” he wrote on Instagram. “I always said after my exhibition [against friend Marco Antonio Barrera] a couple of years ago against Marco if another opportunity came up I’d always look at it and weigh up the pros and cons.
“I have done, and this is a good and sensible fight for me. I’m 47 years old, not unlike my opponent. I’m not 58 years old. I’m not going into world level or straight into a world title fight. I know I’m no longer at world level these days. But I have the good sense to know what fights are good for me and what fights are beyond me. No matter how old we get in life, we still have goals, ambitions, targets to set yourself. We still have to have a reason to get up in the morning. “Nobody more than me for my mindset and mental health.”
Hatton has long been an advocate for talking about mental health. His life went into free fall after the Pacquiao loss, as he turned to drugs and alcohol and wrestled with suicidal thoughts.
“There’s a very good reason to give me focus and keep me healthy, not the opposite,” he added. “Why did Mike Tyson fight again? Why is Manny Pacquiao fighting again? Why is Paulie Mallignaggi fighting again? (Bare knuckle) Why is Shane Mosley fighting again? We’re fighters, it’s what we do. The fight’s still some way off still but can’t wait to get back in training camp again, train hard and feel good. As I have all my life, I look forward putting a show on again for everyone. I appreciate people’s concerns, but please trust me. I feel great and it will be nothing but great for me. Love Ricky.”
