British boxing legend Ricky Hatton will face Mexican Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera
A decade after hanging up his gloves, British boxing legend Ricky Hatton (45-3, 32KOs) will face Mexican hero Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7, 44KOs), who even the most casual sports fan will remember for ruining Prince Naseem's career back in 2001. The pair will clash in an exhibition bout at the AO Arena in Manchester on July 2, 2022.
He announced on Twitter: "I can confirm my return to the ring. Join me for a huge party night – with top musicacts – in Manchester, July 2."
The 'Hitman' was retired by Filipino eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao in 2009, after he destroyed the much-loved Manchester man in two rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was the Brit's second career defeat, after being knocked out (TKO 10) in a brave attempt to topple Floyd Mayweather in 2007, also at the MGM Grand.
Hatton has come out of retirement once before, whilst still professional, to face former WBA World welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko (37-2, 25KOs) in 2012, two and a half years after his devastating defeat to the Pac-Man. The Ukrainian was only once-beaten at the time, and Hatton rolled back the years at the Manchester Arena, winning the contest, until father time caught up with him and he was stopped in the ninth round of a schedule 10 by a body shot. He tearfully announced his retirement after the loss, which he found very tough to take.
Now 43, Hatton owns a gym in Hyde, training the next generation of fighters, including heavyweight Nathan Gorman; British title contender Mark Heffron; and young flyweight prodigy Chloe Watson.
His son, Campbell, is even carving out a career or himself in professional boxing, currently unbeaten in seven contests.
The Hitman Rises
As well as Ricky Hatton vs Marco Antonio Barrera, there will be other fights on the card, featuring:
Dan Hardy vs Diego Sanchez
Casey Walsh vs Don Strapzy
Music acts so far conirmed as drill artist, Tion Wayne, who had a No.1 single in 2021 ('Body' with Russ Millions), and British bassline collective, Bad Boy Chiller Crew.
You can buy tickets to the event here: www.hattonbarrera.com
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