5:02pm Wednesday 13th January 2010
BOXING: Ricky Hatton will return to the ring this year but has played down suggestions that a showdown with Bolton’s Amir Khan is his top priority.
The 31-year-old had been pondering his fighting future following his brutal second-round knockout by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas last May.
But the popular Hatton confirmed his return saying: “I’ve decided to make a comeback and have another fight this year — probably round about the summertime.
“There’s been no opponent that has been confirmed yet. There’s been no date confirmed yet. But the point is I have made my mind up I am going to have one more fight.”
Khan admitted after his last WBA light-welterweight world title sucess that a meeting with Hatton was a possibility this summer, but the Manchester boxer, who has previously fallen out with Frank Warren, said a fight was unlikely as long as the promoter was involved with the Khan camp.
He continued: “I’ve had a good break, a good time off, a good time to reflect and put that last fight behind me and really get over it and get my mind straight.
“I think after the (Floyd) Mayweather defeat (in December 2007)), I jumped straight into action straight away and I didn’t really perform my best. But this time I’ve had a good rest, recharged the batteries and had a really good think, put that last fight really behind me and I’m happy to get back at it now.”
For the moment, “The Hitman” is not looking any further ahead than one more fight.
“We’re looking at the IBF champion Juan Urango, who I’ve already fought and beaten,” he said.
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