For Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, the greatest moment of his boxing career was the night it all started 19 years ago this week – his 2005 fight against Kostya Tszyu.
As Hatton, 45, looks back on his career prior to his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (June 6-9) in Canastota, Recent York, he rates the significance of beating Tszyu for his first world title as the highlight of his career .
Hatton was a figure of constant movement, darting in and out of range, landing merciless shots to Tszyu’s body at the Manchester Arena in England. At the end of the 11th round, trainer Johnny Lewis pulled the Australian-based Russian from the fight while he was sitting on a stool. Hatton was the IBF junior welterweight world champion, and his career was taken to another level with six of his next nine fights in the United States.
Despite entering the fight against Tszyu as an underdog in front of 22,000 hometown fans, Hatton dominated the more experienced Tszyu, who was ranked third in the pound-for-pound rankings at the time, behind Floyd Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins.
“People said if I beat Tszyu it would be one of the best wins ever by a British boxer,” Hatton told ESPN. “Looking back, I think it was my biggest victory and it opened the door for me to fight in the States. He was renowned all over the world, but I think people in America were saying who was that fat kid from Manchester who just kept Kostya Tszyu in his seat?
Living up to the expectations of his fans and in a fight that captured the imagination of more than just boxing fans in the UK – Tszyu was also a huge star in Australia at the time – Hatton put in a tireless and brilliant performance.
“When I came through, I had the WBU title, which wasn’t one of the top belts, and my defense was a little tender, so I was getting injured regularly,” Hatton said. “And that’s why a lot of people thought Tszyu would win.
“But it was self-belief. I didn’t stop believing and even when I fought Kostia Tszyu, Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather, I always believed that I would win.
After being stopped in two rounds by Pacquiao in May 2009, Hatton did not fight for three years, struggling with depression and drug and alcohol addiction.
Hatton also counts his losses to Mayweather (2007) and Pacquiao among his best moments, in part because they were two of the best fighters in the world.
“Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather were the most critical fighters, although I finished second, but they were the best in the business at the time,” Hatton said. “Then I struggled with those failures, but now I’m in a content place and I’m content to talk about them now.”
Fighting at home in Manchester is also critical to Hatton, and representing his hometown was one of his goals. Hatton particularly remembers three fights that had everything.
“Fight at the City of Manchester Stadium [against Juan Lazcano in 2008] he was up there. Fight with Paulie Malignaggi [2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas]and Noel and Liam Gallagher [of the band Oasis] wearing belts to the ring was also a large deal. I always wanted to be a world champion, support Manchester City and liked Oasis, and in my boxing career I fulfilled all these requirements.
“Stopping [Jose Luis] Castillo, a Mexican known for his body shots, with a body shot [in Round 4, in Las Vegas] was another good one. I beat him at his own game.”
Hatton will also be remembered as an extremely popular boxer on both sides of the Atlantic. His self-deprecating humor was the opposite of the vulgar bragging and trash-talking typical of pre-fight preparations. Before the Malignaggi fight, Hatton even entered the ring wearing a massive suit and a robe with the word “Fatman” written on the top of the hood, as a joke about his weight, which had been increasing between fights.
Hatton was an invigorating pressure fighter who produced several stunning KO victories. Against Carlos Maus in Sheffield, England in November 2005, Hatton found himself in a treacherous situation – a title unification fight with cuts on both eyes.
“I won the fight, but people started to worry about the cuts,” Hatton told ESPN. “My feet actually left the floor when I hit him with a left hook to finish [in Round 9, by KO]. If he had stood up after that shot, I would have fled the ring.
Hatton (45-3, 32 KO) ended his career with a knockout loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko in November 2012, returning three years after being stopped by Pacquiao.
Although Hatton won belts at junior welterweight and welterweight, perhaps his greatest achievement was his popularity and connection with his fans. When Hatton fought Mayweather, almost 20,000 fans traveled from the UK to Las Vegas.
“You dream of fighting in Las Vegas, but you don’t think it will ever come true,” Hatton said. “Well, in my case, yes. When I first laced up gloves, I grew up watching artists like Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali on video.
“I never would have thought that one day my name would be next to them in the Boxing Hall of Fame, never. Honestly, I can’t believe it. There aren’t many British players in the Hall of Fame, so to get inducted is just amazing.”
Hatton said he considered taking his own life amid alcohol and drug addiction after losing Pacquiao in 2009 and before his comeback in 2012, and that treatment had improved his mental health. Currently, he manages players and gives motivational speeches.
“I’m glad I didn’t take my own life when I was struggling because I would have missed out on a lot,” Hatton said.
WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all. To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KO), the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight continental champion, had to withdraw from his scheduled December “stay busy” fight due to a minor injury but now is preparing to fight his biggest rival in what may be the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.
The All-Ireland fight between Donovan, who fights in Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KO) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is scheduled for March 1. “Point of Pride” will headline the Matchroom Boxing card, which will be broadcast live on DAZN from the SES Arena as part of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. Just two fights away, Donovan could win a world title if he defeats Crocker as the IBF mandatory challenger.
“There is something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I will be next,” Donovan declared. “I think turning pro at 19 and now 25 has required a lot of life changes since I turned pro. What matters most is what I learned in the gym, because it was the ups and downs in life – being a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me improve. I improved as a person, which helped me become a better fighter.”
A true fighter from the past, Donovan is currently rated by three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA No. 5, IBF No. 6 and World Boxing Council No. 14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years senior.
“I’m in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head coach/co-manager) and (Up-to-date York lawyer) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I’m where I need to be. To be ranked so high on three major sanctioning bodies is great. I know I won’t stop until I become world champion.
“I’m always at the gym thinking about the next challenge. I say it’s time. I love what I do. I am very grateful to God for being in this situation. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”
“It’s definitely going to be an explosive fight,” commented Up-to-date York attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, resilient Irishmen who have a lot to prove to the world. We were worried about the injury, but we are sure it will not be a problem during the March 1 battle. Paddy is locked down and training difficult under the watchful eye of coach Andy Lee.
Donovan has dedicated several of his recent fights to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity, which provides mental health services across Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline, at 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, as well as support for those grieving as a result of suicide.
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