Ricky Hatton has been out of the ring since his brutal second round knockout at the hands of Manny Pacquiao in May. Photograph by Chris Farina.

Ricky Hatton’s future in boxing is still uncertain after his devastating defeat to Manny Pacquiao six months ago. But “The Hitman” is getting itchy fists and is expected to announce a comeback in the New Year against Juan Manuel Marquez.

The boxing rumour mill has been working overtime since Hatton’s second round knockout to Pac-Man, but word is that he is determined not to retire from the sport on such a low.

A bout with the 36-year-old Marquez, who lost to former Hatton foe Floyd Mayweather Jr in his last outing, could provide the perfect comeback for the 31-year-old.

Hatton told The Independent: “Sometimes when you’ve been doing this game for so long, you need to recharge your batteries and then you can come back with a bit more fire in your belly.

“There are things I know I can put right, and if I can give it another go it will not be an eight-rounder after beating some of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. It has got to be a fight that will get me excited.”

Should it go ahead, Hatton is hoping a victory over the Mexican warrior Marquez will set him up with an all-British world title showdown with current WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan. However, the boxer turned promoter insists he must promote the fight himself.

“That would not be negotiable, otherwise it’s a non-starter,” said Hatton, who has built a £2 million fight HQ in Manchester.

Hatton Promotions will host its first world title fight when Hatton’s younger brother Matthew fights for the IBO welterweight title against South African Lovemore N’dou in Stoke.

The following night Hatton conqueror Pacquiao will cement his place among boxing’s all-time greats if he can overcome Puerto Rican WBO champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.