Ricky Hatton’s comeback is dangerous and wrong: Joe Calzaghe
Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 3:08:18 by Imran Shaukat KhanFormer two-division world champion, Ricky Hatton, is making a comeback on November 24 but his fellow countryman Joe Calzaghe, a former WBO, IBF, WBC, WBA & The Ring Super Middleweight Champion and The Ring Light Heavyweight Champion, has warned that Ricky’s return could be a huge mistake.
Hatton walked away from the sport after suffering a brutal second round knockout against the Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. He has not fought for the last three years and during this time he got himself into all sort of bad things.
Perhaps this is a reason why Joe, who himself retired in 2009 as only the twelfth undefeated world champion, feels Hatton is putting himself at risk by coming back again to the ring.
“It’s dangerous and especially when you’re in your 30s. It has to be a worry,” said the Welshman, who won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2007.
Hatton, who is more commonly known as the Hitman, carried a record of winning 45 of his 47 professional fights, with 32 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout. Therefore, Joe has no apprehensions in admitting Hatton’s talent but he doesn’t want him to make a comeback because he reckons he would get hurt now.
He said, “Personally I like Ricky, I’ve known him for many years and the last thing I’d like to see is him getting hurt.”
“I’d prefer Ricky not to box. He’s not going to get any better at the age of 33, but it’s his decision.
“He’s returned to the gym and that has given him focus and direction, but I’d rather he stay there training and not fight.
In the end, Joe Calzaghe insisted people not to encourage Hatton for the return.
“No-one should be encouraging him to return and I just hope it doesn’t wind up being a big disappointment for him.”
Well, all said and done, let’s see how Ricky Hatton responds to Joe Calzaghe.
Tags: Bout, Boxing, Comeback, Fight, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky HattonShort URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=32906