THERE were strong rumours this week that Ricky Hatton is set to retire - let's hope for his health they are true.
He later distanced himself from comments he would quit the ring and pulled the plug on a proposed comeback against Juan Manuel Marquez.
But he is said to be 4st over his fighting weight, looking dreadful in training, and quit camp after just 10 days to go on a stag do in Tenerife.
It doesn't sound like he's got the eye of the tiger - mind you those Tiger Beers aren't bad!
I wrote a couple of weeks ago that Hatton is so out of shape I'd be surprised if he fought this year.
His trainer Lee Beard recently quit to work with Joan Guzman. That indicates where he thinks Hatton's future lies.
He will leave quite a legacy though as one of the better, most exciting fighters to have come out of Britain in the last 10 years, and a great ticket seller.
But I don't think he made full use of his talent, and let himself down by failing to look after himself outside the ring.
His two losses were against P4P greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Yes, he wasn't good enough but he would have stood more of a chance if he'd lived the life.
Hatton's greatest moment came in his last fight for me - his stoppage of Kostya Tszyu to win the IBF light-welterweight title. After that he was a major star but never quite the same fighter.
Now he is forging a career as a promoter. He'll find it's not as easy as it looks and is often a very expensive exercise.
For up to date boxing new and reviews please visit www.frankwarren.tv
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VITALI KLITSCHKO now defends his world title against limited Pole Albert Sosnowski.
That's hardly a fight to get excited about - but it could have an impact on David Haye as Nikolai Valuev declined the clash, allowing Sosnowski to get a shot.
That could mean the giant Russian's promoters will look to use one of the options they have over Haye to force a rematch. Great news for insomniacs.
Source: thesun.co.uk
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