Ricky Hatton – Taking Victory From Defeat
With the dust having finally settled of Ricky Hatton’s ill-fated return to the ring, I feel it’s time to reflect on what was one of the most courageous returns to the sport that there has ever been. He may not have won but he fought with the same heart and courage that made him one of Britain’s favourite sportsman in the first place. But Hatton’s comeback was not all about what took place in the ring, the night meant so much more than that to the former Light Welterweight World Champion.
Hatton matched Senchenko punch for punch.
Following his crushing defeat to Manny Pacquiao and his subsequent retirement Hatton’s life went of the rails. An addiction to cocaine and some shocking weight gain really took the shine off Hatton’s in-ring achievements This fight was to be his redemption and I for one would like to say that it is great to see Hatton healthy again because as we all know his life could have taken a far more tragic turn this time last year.
Hatton placed a lot of pressure on himself pre-fight and selected an opponent who was a genuine world title contender in a twelve round contest. In a comeback bout many would have taken on a journeyman, and almost all would have fought for eight rounds. Hatton showed something that a lot of active boxers currently lack, that being heart and passion for the sport. It was evident that he wanted to be back in the ring and was there for the love of boxing and not just for a payday. His in ring strategy was as cavalier as it ever was, showing no fear in taking punches and was persistent in pushing on through to get the better of exchanges. This strategy may have played a part in his downfall but seeing Hatton fight any other way would have been a disappointment.
Hatton look heartbroken after the final bell.
The opponent he choose shouldn’t be understated either, there is a reason that Vyacheslav Senchenko only has one defeat on his record. He is a brute from the eastern block who is strictly no nonsense in his approach to the fight game. Those close to boxing knew that this guy had the potential to give Hatton a long night and in the end he did more than that, he ended the Hitman’s comeback before it had even started. The final shot would have put many a fighter on the canvas, there is no shame on Hatton’s part for to be beaten in such a manner and to his credit he gave it everything to get back to his feet.
Hatton’s comeback may not have worked out like he had planned but he showed the world something seldom seen in boxing. His courage to come back from the brink personally and professionally proved that his return to the ring wasn’t for nothing. The tears and emotions he showed in his post-fight interview were real and Hatton should know this, he is by no means a quitter, he’s a champion and that’s a tag that the Hitman can never lose.
Alexander Bowring
