Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton is heading back to the ring later this year in Dubai
At the age of 46, Hall of Fame fighter Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs) will fight on December 2 in Dubai against Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight contest.
Also 46, the United Arab Emirates' first-ever professional boxer Eisa Al Dah (8-3, 4 KOs) was known as the "Arabian Warrior" during his pro career, which spanned from 2007-2021. Now a promoter of EMD Fight Night, he has staged 11 boxing events since 2022.
British boxing legend Hatton was due to fly to Dubai ahead of the press conference to launch the bout, but was forced to remain home after sustaining an eye injury during the Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff on July 5th, and was not cleared to travel until healed.
Ricky and Noel and Liam Gallagher go way back. The Oasis brothers were there in 2008 to escort their fellow Mancunian to the ring ahead of his win over Paulie Malignaggi.
Although he could not be there in person, Hatton appeared via video link to promote the fight.
"I'm very much looking forward to it myself, to be honest with you," Hatton said.
"It will be a true fight, true action.
"And I will do my best, because everybody in the UAE and the Gulf, they will watch this fight.
"The place will be sold out and it will be watched around the world."
Manchester's Hatton remains one of Britain's best-loved fighters, having amassed a staggering 43-0 record before he was beaten for the first time in December 2007 by Floyd Mayweather Jr for the WBC and The Ring welterweight titles.
In that dazzling unbeaten streak, Hatton won multiple world titles in the super-lightweight division and one at welterweight. His all-action, aggressive style was thoroughly entertaining, targeting opponents with brutal body attacks, knocking out over 70% of his foes.
His crowning glory came in June 2005 when he dethroned Australia's legendary Kostya Tszyu to claim the IBF and The Ring super-lightweight crowns.
He transcended the sport of boxing in the UK by starting the trend of taking thousands of fans to press conferences and weigh-in events. UK fans would flock to all corners of the globe just to be there when he fought, regardless of possessing tickets to the event or not.
His down-to-earth persona, coupled by his talent for making people laugh, endeared him to the public.
Following the defeat to generational great Mayweather, Hatton picked up back-to-back wins over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi to retain his IBO and The Ring super- lightweight straps.
But he lost his world champion status when he was knocked out cold by eight-weight world champ Manny Pacquaio in May 2009, who is also fighting again himself at the age of 46, this month, against WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios.
Hatton took a two-and-a-half year absence from the ring, partly in retirement, after the loss to Pacquiao, but ended his career completely in November 2012 following a stoppage loss against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
He returned to the ring in 2022 against Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition bout.
The Hitman was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024.
Category: General Sports
