Ricky Hatton to retire, claims report

Ricky Hatton, who has been making convincing noises about making a summer comeback against Juan Manuel Marquez for months now, has decided he won't be returning to the ring according to reports.

Claims of the U-turn have been made in the Daily Mail by boxing reporter Steve Lillis.  The irony that the revelation is claimed to have been made during a stag weekend to Tenerife will not escape most boxing fans.

Although many people were surprised when Hatton said he was lacing them back up (first revealed by yours truly here in November), if any are surprised if this volte face turns out to be correct, the feeling should really be a more pleasant one.

Hatton's words regarding 'still having the taste' for boxing were fine for a while but have been belied by his physical appearance which showed no evidence of having been back in the gym.  His last fight was a brutal two-round stoppage at the fists of all-time great Manny Pacquiao in May.

Although his legions of fight fans will miss him, the boxing ring is no place to be if you're not 100% both physically and mentally.  Hatton Promotions, headed by the former world champion, has a deal with Sky TV and has been staging some attractive shows and perhaps Ricky can continue to direct his energies in this direction.

If he never fights again - and personally, I hope he doesn't - he can look back on a great career with pride and a reserved place at the top table of British boxers.