Golden Boy puts forth Ricky Hatton – Oscar De la Hoya proposal
Recently shamed former fighter Ricky Hatton has received an offer from Golden Boy Promotions to step into the ring again.
A proposal was laid out to Hatton during the Haye-Harrison bout Saturday night, dailymail.co.uk reports. Golden Boy Executive Robert Diaz asked Hatton if he would be interested returning to the ring with none other Golden Boy CEO Oscar De la Hoya.
Diaz said: “This would be a huge event which we believe would fill a football ground here in England.”
Both De la Hoya and Hatton hung up the gloves after suffering defeats to boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao. De la Hoya said “no mas” to Pacquiao after eight rounds in 2008, while Hatton was brutally knocked out cold by “Pacman” 18 months ago in Las Vegas.
Since then Hatton has dealt with career-changing allegations of cocaine use, after a video emerged on News of the Week depicting him snorting the illegal substance.
“The Hitman” apologized immediately and entered a rehabilitation facility for a month. He cited problems with depression following losses career-ending losses to Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Before returning to the ring, however, Hatton would have to appeal for the renewal of his boxing license, which was stripped from him following the drug use allegations. The British Boxing Board of Control stripped Hatton of his fighting license, but allowed
him to remain active in his promotional company, Hatton Promotions.
While speculations of a return for Hatton are contingent on his health, Jeff Powell reports that he looked “fit and well” at the Haye-Harrison card, and is said to be successfully battling binging habits and longtime abuse of alcohol.
In the past Hatton has not refused a return to the ring, saying repeatedly: “Never say never. I may get the urge again.”
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