Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Hatton urged not to fight Katsidis in farewell bout


A leading British newspaper has urged Ricky Hatton to quit the sport rather than have a farewell fight in Manchester with Aussie Michael Katsidis.The Scottish based Daily Record says the talk before Hatton’s devastating defeat to Manny Pacquiao on the weekend was that if Hatton lost there might be a 48th and final fight in Manchester in November against Michael Katsidis.``Such a contest after this brutal beating seems totally pointless and he would only be risking further injury,’’ the paper said.``Hatton, 30, has wrung every last ounce of glory out of his career and can be proud of four world titles at two different weights. Reputations that have taken years to establish can quickly be undone when fighters carry on too long and these two harrowing rounds prove he should quit.``Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum told Hatton he shouldn't be discouraged because no fighter in the world could beat his man.``But he should be and the unavoidable truth is Hatton couldn't move his head or feet and was wide open for Pacquaio who peppered him from every angle.’’Pacquaio said: "I was surprised to win so easily. It was nothing personal. I was just doing my job."I respect Ricky and he's still a great fighter. He's big and strong and I'm just lucky I hit him first.Hatton, who battered the great Aussie Kostya Tszyu to defeat in 2005, had planned to go out in a blaze of glory against Katsidis if the Pacquiao fight did not go as planned.But he never expected to hit the deck twice in the opening round and finally for keeps in the second against the rampaging Filipino.Hatton temporarily suffered lockjaw but when he could eventually speak he said: "It hurts but I'm OK. I didn't really see the punch coming.It was a great shot but I know I'll be OK." Hatton's fans, loyal to the last, sang "there's only one Ricky Hatton" as he left the ring, possibly for the last time.

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