British boxing legend Ricky Hatton is reportedly preparing to come out of retirement — 13 years after his last professional bout — for a high-profile match scheduled to take place in Dubai this December.
Hatton to Face Dubai’s First Professional Boxer
The 46-year-old former two-weight world champion, famously known as The Hitman, will allegedly step back into the ring on December 2, facing off against Eisa Al Dah, who holds the title of being Dubai’s first-ever professional boxer, according to reports from The Sun.
If confirmed, this will mark Hatton’s return to competitive boxing for the first time since 2012, when he fought Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester. That fight, meant to be a one-off comeback, ended with Hatton being stopped in the ninth round — a result that prompted him to reaffirm his retirement.
At the time, Hatton had said candidly, “I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it – and I haven’t. I found out tonight it isn’t there no more.”
Now, over a decade later, the tide seems to have shifted.
Comeback Sparks After Oasis Gig in Cardiff
Hatton was recently spotted at the much-anticipated Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff last Friday night. The Manchester boxing great has long shared ties with the Gallagher brothers — Noel and Liam even accompanied him to the ring during some of the most iconic moments of his career.
Reports suggest that Hatton was originally supposed to fly to Dubai this week for an official press conference to announce the fight. However, the trip was reportedly cancelled after he sustained an eye injury during the Oasis gig — delaying the official reveal of the December bout.
A Career Worth Revisiting
Known for his relentless pressure style and passionate fanbase, Ricky Hatton remains a beloved figure in British boxing history. He held titles in both the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions, with career-defining wins against the likes of Kostya Tszyu, Carlos Maussa, and Paulie Malignaggi.
Hatton retired after suffering defeats to Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., two of the greatest fighters of the modern era, before briefly returning in 2012. That short-lived comeback ended in disappointment, but it appears Hatton may finally get the return he’s hoped for — this time under the bright lights of Dubai.
Whether this fight signals a serious return or is a one-off exhibition remains unclear. But for fans of boxing and Ricky Hatton alike, the buzz has certainly returned.