Ricky Hatton much to lose and little to gain.

Ricky Hatton recently announced his intention to return to the ring after a break of 3 years.

Since his official retirement last year Hatton has concentrated on promoting his own bouts but it now seems he misses the action within the ring.

On Friday he confirmed his return saying:

“It’s more than a comeback; I’m fighting to redeem myself. I want British boxing to be proud of me again”.

It was a strange statement from the former WBA and IBF light-welterweight and WBA welterweight champion as he is probably the most popular British boxer of all time and very few fans feel he has disappointed them.

In his last two fights he was well beaten by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the latter courtesy of a stunning knock out. It seemed as if he had found his level, a great boxer but not an all-time great.

 There was neither shame nor embarrassment in being beaten by the best two boxers on the planet.

But Hatton feels he has to redeem himself and repair his legacy. My only fear is he may destroy his health and career in the process

For many Hatton is regarded as one of the lads: A working class hero who loves a pie and a pint and never takes himself too seriously. Unfortunately this may be his final undoing as outside of the ring he doesn’t behave like an athlete and does his body no favours in preparation for bouts.

In my opinion Ricky has little to gain but a lot more to lose. Despite his pretensions he will not be a World Champion again and will find it difficult against even continental champions.  I’d love to see him return to his best alike his fight against Kosta Tszyu but those days are long gone.

The top echelon fighters around his proposed weight are Pacquiao, Mayweather, Marquez and Bradley. All are and were higher level fighters than Ricky and would beat him easily.

A Battle of Britain contest with Amir Khan or Kell Brook would attract the ppv figures but I doubt it would be much of a fight. He might knock Khan out with his glass chin but Brook would annihilate him.

Ricky will return against an, as yet unnamed opponent on 24 November at the Manchester Arena. Hopefully he finds out early what we all know that his time has come and gone.