Greedy Hatton Back for Seconds

Ricky Hatton today made the unsurprising, but no less unfortunate, announcement that he is to return to the world of professional boxing. 

A lonely world in which his last taste of action in the ring was when he was sprawled on his back at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with a raging Philippine – in the shape of Manny Pacquiao – having just given him a severe beating. 

However, with the savagery of the second round defeat came a gentle warning, ‘Get Out Now.’

That was 2009 and the affable Mancunian heeded the warning, much to the relief of many in boxing circles. 

The cheeky chap had revolutionised the way in which the sport was viewed in this country and his loyal legions of fans were a credit.

How the thousands that flocked across the Atlantic to see the Hitman attempt to unify the light welterweight division must be bemused by this about turn by their hero.

His reasons for a return seem unclear and, if anything, bizarre. The 33 year old has says he seeks “redemption”. But the question is, “what from?”

When allegations of cocaine abuse by Hatton surfaced, the people’s champion wasn’t castigated by the public. They actually felt a degree of sympathy towards him, in the same way as they did when Paul Gascoigne’s well publicised problems came to light.

The return - a selfish and indulgent act – seems to have left little regard for his family – in particular his son –and the many other youngsters who took to the boxing clubs across Britain to emulate a working-class hero as part of his legacy.