• Boxing

Calzaghe Sr warns against Hatton return

ESPN staff
September 13, 2012
Ricky Hatton was knocked out in the second round of his final fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2009 © PA Photos
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Enzo Calzaghe has urged Ricky Hatton to reconsider his expected return to the ring, telling the former world light-welterweight champion: "You can't be better than you were three years ago".

Hatton retired from boxing in 2009 after heavy defeats at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao in world title fights. But the Hitman, now 33 years of age, is closing in on a comeback fight at the MEN Arena in November.

Calzaghe, father and trainer of undefeated super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, added that he would not want to be involved were his son to launch a comeback to the sport for the same reasons he is now warning against Hatton's return.

"Everyone has their own life. But the bottom line is, as a trainer, I wouldn't be with Joe Calzaghe if he ever decided to come back," Calzaghe told the Sun.

"I respect every fighter. Yet the question you need to ask Ricky is 'Why?' Life is the most important thing and that means family and health. He has family and kids and you have to look at that.

"No-one forces these fighters to retire. They retire for their own reasons or because they have fallen out of love with boxing. But you can be bored.

"Yet Ricky made millions. So if you don't have to risk your health, don't risk it. You can't play games with your health."

Hatton is expected to formally announce his return to professional boxing on Friday, with a potential future fight with Amir Khan in the offing. But Calzaghe is adamant that the Manchester native's return cannot be the platform for greater things.

"Of course, you can believe you are going to be a world champion again. But you can't be better than you were three years ago. That's the bottom line in any sport.

"Tiger Woods came back but isn't as good as he was before - and no-one is punching you in the head on a golf course!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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