By COLIN HART, The Sun
LOU DiBELLA has set an excellent example to those irresponsible individuals shamefully encouraging Ricky Hatton to make a comeback.
DiBella, a prominent American promoter and manager, steered Jermain Taylor to the world middleweight title.
The slick boxer from Little Rock, Arkansas, reigned for five years before he was beaten by Kelly Pavlik.
Since then Taylor, 31, has rapidly fallen apart. He has lost four of his last five fights and been knocked out three times. Last year his two defeats against Carl Froch and Arthur Abrahams left him severely concussed.
That set off alarm bells with DiBella, who was so anxious about Taylor's health and future well-being, he decided to walk away from him.
In a statement, DiBella said: "It is my belief the continuation of Jermain's career as an active fighter places him at unnecessary risk.
"I cannot, in conscience, remain involved, given my assessment of such a risk.
"Jermain is not only a great fighter but a good and decent man with a wonderful family.
"It is out of genuine concern for him and his family I'm compelled to make this decision."
Taylor may have sensibly pulled out of his April date with Andre Ward as part of the Super Six tournament that Froch is involved in but he has not announced his retirement.
DiBella is to be applauded for not only taking the action he has but going public with his fears. He may not be a consultant neurologist but DiBella certainly knows a shot fighter when he sees one.
And, like so many of boxing's most influential personalities, DiBella places Hatton firmly in that category.
He told me if he was involved with Hatton he would refuse to be a party to the boxer returning to the ring this spring.
Lou said: "I like and admire Ricky because he is a true warrior but his time has been and gone for good. It would be seriously unwise if he insists on having one more fight, whoever it's against.
"He is an intelligent guy so must be aware of the terrible danger he'd be putting himself in.
"Surely there must be someone capable of making him see sense?
"If only those close to Muhammad Ali near the end of his career had decided to leave him perhaps he wouldn't be in the dreadful state he's in today."
DiBella is voicing the opinions of so many of the boxing brotherhood, who firmly believe Hatton must be saved from himself.
You don't have to know a left hook from a coat hook to realise Hatton's reflexes and punch resistance had evaporated long before Manny Pacquiao poleaxed him eight months ago.
Anyone who saw Hatton interviewed on Sky a couple of weeks ago must have thought he looked more like a publican than a pugilist.
Shedding several stone to once more get him down to the 10st light-welterweight limit will present Hatton with its own hazards.
Some extremely powerful figures have pleaded with him to change his mind.
Jose Sulaiman, WBC president, doesn't want Hatton to fight again.
Sulaiman has never called for a fighter to retire in more than 30 years in office. British Board secretary Robert Smith agrees.
Others who want Hatton to play safe are Barry McGuigan, Joe Calzaghe, Floyd Mayweather Jnr, Amir Khan, Billy Graham, Floyd Mayweather Snr and Freddie Roach.
And almost the entire boxing media can be added to that list. We can't all be wrong Ricky.
Source: thesun.co.uk
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