One of the most popular boxers of the last 20 years, is finally hanging up the gloves, as Ricky Hatton is calling it a career.
After formally announcing his retirement Thursday, Hatton leaves behind a boxing legacy stretching over 14 years and 47 matches.
Hatton was last seen in the ring in 2009, but a loss to Manny Pacquiao sent Hatton's career and personal live into a downward spiral.
"After a lot of soul searching over the last couple of years I have finally decided to confirm I will never box again and there will be no coming back," Hatton told ESPN.com. "There have been so many times since the Manny Pacquiao fight when I have woken up and thought I would give it one more go, but it was not to be."
After his loss to Pacquiao — certainly nothing to frown about — Hatton battled problems with alcohol and depression, culminating in an admission to a rehab facility after a video was published of Hatton snorting cocaine.
A former junior welterweight world champion and welterweight belt holder, Hatton became a beloved figure in his homeland of England. This was never more apparent than when Hatton moved back up to welterweight to take on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas — with 35,000 Brits in Las Vegas to cheer on their golden boy.
"Since I put on the gloves as a 10-year-old in Hattersley, boxing has been my life and still is," Hatton said. "My promotional company is going well and I am looking forward to taking one of my fighters on a similar road to me. People say no fighter will ever have the fan base I had, but one of my aims is to make sure one of my boxers gets a bigger one and achieves more than me."
