Ricky Hatton is making a comeback to the boxing ring at 46 years old. The former two-weight world champion will face Eisa Al Dah in Dubai on December 2, 2023, 13 years after he retired.
Hatton, born in Manchester in October 1977, had a stellar career with 45 wins and only 3 losses. He won titles at welterweight and light welterweight, beating big names like Kostya Tszyu, Jose Luis Castillo, and Paulie Malignaggi.
The British boxer's last fight was in November 2012 when he lost to Vyacheslav Senchenko. Before that, Hatton had suffered defeats to boxing greats Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. The Pacquiao fight ended in a brutal second-round knockout in 2009, leading to Hatton's first retirement.
Since hanging up his gloves, Hatton has been training other fighters at his gym in Manchester. But now, he's joining a growing trend of former champions stepping back into the ring.
Hatton confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Fight! It's official." He added, "There is a market for it, and I think it will be a sensational evening." The boxer hopes his fight will pave the way for more events in Dubai.
His opponent, Eisa Al Dah, is also 46 and hasn't been very active recently. Al Dah has only fought once since 2012, with his last bout in 2021. But he's not taking the fight lightly.
"It won't be like the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. It will be a real fight. Real action and I will give my best."
This comeback follows in the footsteps of other boxing legends like Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr., and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. These fights have proven to be big money-makers, showing there's a growing market for seeing former champs back in action.
Hatton's return to the ring marks a new chapter in a career that saw him rise as a British sporting hero. His high-profile losses to Mayweather and Pacquiao, followed by his first retirement in 2009 and brief comeback in 2012, are all part of his storied history in the sport.
As Hatton prepares for this unexpected return, fans and critics alike will be watching to see if the Manchester native can recapture some of his old magic in the ring.
