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| END OF THE ROAD: Ricky Hatton |
Former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton has announced his retirement from boxing.
The 32-year-old has not fought since his defeat to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009 and, despite being linked with several big-name fights since, most notably against - Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr - the Hitman has now called time on his glittering 14-year professional career.
Hatton’s retirement signals the end of a dramatic career that has seen him achieve success at welterweight and light-welterweight level.
Hatton beat Jon Thaxton to become the British light-welterweight champion in 2000 and went on to dominate the division, with his most notable victory at that weight coming in 2005 against IBF champion Kostya Tszyu.
Hatton then beat Carlos Maussa before moving up to welterweight where he defeated Luis Collazo to claim the WBA title.
Rapidly earning a reputation as one of Britain’s most popular sportsmen, Hatton went on to challenge WBC kingpin Mayweather in Las Vegas - only to be stopped in the 10th round.
Undeterred by his first loss in boxing, Hatton returned to winning ways with victories over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi before facing pound-for-pound champion Pacquiao.
The two met at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May 2009, when Hatton was knocked out cold in the second round to leave the Mancunian with a 45-2, 32KOs record.
Since then, Hatton has gone on to become a successful promoter - while he has helped guide brother Matthew’s career.
Klitschko returns in triumph to Ukraine
Wladimir Klitschko yesterday showed off his full collection of title belts in his native Ukraine after his world heavyweight championship victory over David Haye.
Wladimir and his fellow heavyweight champion elder brother, Vitali, arrived in Kiev after his victory over Britain’s Haye on July 2, meaning the family now holds all four of the major world titles in professional heavyweight boxing.
“If the boxing fans had a lot of questions about who was the world champion, now the answer is clear to all and there is no need to be confused with many names,” Wladimir told journalists.
“All the belts collected—it was the aim and the dream.”
Reporters greeted the siblings with applause and declared them the “pride of the national,” as a female TV presenter performed a song she had written in the build-up to the fight with Haye.
“Volodya, you’re my hero”, she sang, using an affectionate name for Wladimir and prompting bemused smiles from the two brothers.
Wladimir said he does not intend to end his sporting career because he is “at the height of my capabilities”, but has not decided yet who will be his next opponent.
Wladimir, who now holds the IBF, WBO and WBA belts, said the last time he had fought in Ukraine was in 1998 and added that he is considering having one of his next fights in Kiev. His brother Vitali shares the dream.