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Hatton confirms ring return on November 24

Bunce: Comeback hinges on state of Hatton's head

Ricky Hatton, the former two-weight world champion, has confirmed he intends to return to boxing on November 24 at the Manchester Arena, with the opponent to be announced in the near future.

Hatton's most recent fight, a devastating second-round knockout defeat to Manny Pacquiao, was more than three years ago. He holds a 45-2 record, suffering the other loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

He was stripped of his boxing licence by the British Boxing Board of Control in September 2010 after being found guilty of misconduct, then confirmed his retirement in July 2011. He has subsequently worked as both trainer and promoter.

However, in recent months he has shed a significant amount of weight in order to get back in fighting shape, and has now been granted a British licence - pending the successful completion of a medical.

"It's been well documented what's happened to me since the last time I was in a boxing ring, because of the manner of that defeat," Hatton said. "Nobody wants to end their career with a two-round demolition against Manny Pacquiao. Basically, my life turned to mush.

"I took a trainer's licence out, and was in the gym passing on what I'd learned to my fighters, and I think that started the fire burning to be honest."

Amir Khan, the former light-welterweight world champion, has been discussed as a potential opponent for Hatton - but Paul Malignaggi, the name most frequently linked, is off the table as he is scheduled to face Pablo Cesar Cano on October 20.

Hatton proved he was world class in 2005 with a stunning upset victory over Kostya Tszyu to claim the IBF light-welterweight crown. In 2006 he won a world title at a second weight, overcoming Luis Collazo for the WBA welterweight strap.

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