• Welterweight

Hatton comeback blow as Paulie takes different route

ESPN staff
August 23, 2012
Paul Malignaggi has lost to both Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan in the past © Getty Images
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Reports of Ricky Hatton returning to face Paul Malignaggi, the WBA welterweight champion, in November have proved wide of the mark, with the American landing a confirmed title defence against Pablo Cesar Cano on October 20.

On Wednesday it was claimed that Hatton was set to announce a two-fight comeback - the first against Malignaggi in three months' time - and bring an end to the persistent rumours.

Hatton, a former two-weight world champion, was last in competitive action in May 2009, when he lost to Manny Pacquiao via second-round knockout. The Brit retired from boxing in July 2011, focusing instead on promoting and training.

Hatton's agent Paul Speak has insisted that there is no definitive decision on a return, but Malignaggi has headed off down a different route, making the first defence of his belt against Cano in New York, supporting a main event of Danny Garcia v Erik Morales.

Although Hatton is unlikely to be short of options if he does want to lace up his gloves in November, Malignaggi was the name that kept being mentioned in the same breath, and he seemed the most likely opponent.

Hatton beat Malignaggi, the popular and loquacious New Yorker, at light-welterweight in November 2008, while Khan can also boast a victory over him.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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