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Hatton ready to don trainer's pads

Ricky Hatton won 45 of his 47 fights © PA Photos

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Ricky Hatton is on the path to becoming a trainer after being granted his licence by the British Boxing Board of Control, although the former two-weight world champion says his long-term ambition is to manage fighters.

Hatton finally decided to bring down the curtain on his illustrious career this summer, retiring in July after losing his final fight in May 2009 - a savage two-round knockout inflicted by pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

The 32-year-old struggled to cope with depression following the second defeat of his career and lost his licence to box last year after allegations of cocaine use. However, after spending time in a rehabilitation clinic, Hatton has now set his sights on taking a more hands-on role with his promotional company and is keen to don the trainer's mitts after being cleared to do so by the authorities.

"The board have shown great faith in me by handing back my second's licence and giving me a trainer's licence for the first time," he said. "It means they are putting their trust in me to go in a corner with a boxer and look after his welfare."

Hatton has been offering his expertise to veteran trainer Bob Shannon at his own gym in Hyde and, having secured his second's licence, the Brit is eager to stand in the corner of one of his fighters and "throw punches" for them.

"I have been in the gym helping Bob's fighters and that was the whole purpose of deciding to take a trainer's licence," he said. "I left school when I was 16 years old and apart from fitting a few carpets badly for my dad, the only job I have had is boxing. I am dedicated to being a trainer as much as I was being a fighter because boxing is a hard game and you only get one chance.

"I have got that little spring in my step and I hope it won't be long before future champions start knocking on my door asking me to train them. I am fully on board running my businesses, but my office has always been the boxing gym and that is where I give my best advice.

"It makes sense to go into coaching because I am involved in the game I love. It was hard to come to terms with retirement, and boxing is the best feeling in the world, but the next best thing is throwing punches for one of your fighters.

"I will eventually manage fighters, but there won't be an abundance of them because I have so many irons in the fire at the minute."

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