Saturday, July 5, 2008

Hatton's Exit Plan

Ricky The Hitman Hatton has decided that he will only fight two more times before hanging up the mitts.

The BBC reported that Hatton will face Paulie Malignaggi in the fall as originally planned for a chance to unify light welterweight titles (IBO & IBF). "I don't want to go on forever and would have done everything I dreamed of, so two more fights and then I think I'm done," said Hatton.

After that match-up (if he wins), he has his eyes set on statistically speaking the most popular possible fights in the world, a showdown with newly crowned lightweight champion, Manny Pacquiao or a match up with, The Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya.  

"In the New Year I'm hoping to fight either Manny Pacquiao or Oscar De La Hoya at Wembley Stadium in front of 100,000 people..." Hatton told BBC Sports. 

Hatton, De La Hoya, and Pacquiao are the top three fighters in the sport in terms of popularity worldwide. Either of the fights will be great for the sport and its fans (especially the Pacquiao fight).

Ricky Hatton has done something that in our eyes now puts him ahead of his British counterpart, Joe Calzaghe. He has decided to end his career on the best possible fight against the best fighter, not only  for himself, but for the sport of boxing and its deserving fans.

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