Ricky Hatton has made it clear that if he returns to the ring he wants “an absolute war” with either Oscar De La Hoya or Juan Manuel Marquez.
Hatton, who has been in semi-retirement since his second-round knockout to Manny Pacquiao in May, insists that it will be a one-off fight – putting to rest any rumours of The Hitman facing Amir Khan.
Hatton is in Australia this week promoting his Cardio Boxing equipment and told reporters he wants to end his career in a war.
“The manner in which I ended my defeat [to Pacquiao] is not really the way I would like to bow out. I'd like to bow out like Kostya [Tszyu did against Hatton in 2005] in an absolute war of a fight, a wonderful fight with great sportsmanship."
However, regarding Khan, the 31-year-old said earlier in the week that the Bolton boxer was not in his plans “at the moment”, which suggests he is indecisive on whether to come back for a one-off war or to challenge the young WBA light welterweight champion further down the line.
There is somewhat of a love triangle emerging with Hatton’s last bout as all three boxers - Hatton, De La Hoya and Marquez - have lost to the same two boxers in the latter stages of their careers.
Floyd Mayweather Jr out-pointed De La Hoya and Marquez and knocked out Hatton in the tenth round, while Manny Pacquiao out-pointed Marquez before finishing De La Hoya in the eighth and Hatton in the second.
A fight between either of these fighters would be the equivalent of a second-tier runners up position, but with De La Hoya in retirement and Marquez approaching his final days in the sport, the fight would be a final showdown with a fellow washed-up fighter, which leaves much to be desired.
