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Froch: Hatton should stay retired

ESPN staff
September 16, 2012
Ricky Hatton returns on November 24 © PA Photos
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IBF super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has questioned Ricky Hatton's decision to return to boxing.

Hatton announced earlier this week that he will fight for the first time in more than three years on November 24, against an opponent to be confirmed in the near future.

Former two-weight world champion Hatton has revealed that he is desperate to banish the demons in his head left from a second-round knockout defeat to Manny Pacquiao in his most recent bout.

But Froch feels Hatton would be wise to abandon the comeback plans, as his legacy is already secured. "I think he should stay retired but who am I to tell him that?" Froch said on BBC Radio Five.

"He's two years younger than me [Hatton is 33] and only he will know if he can get himself into shape to compete at the top level again.

"He's been fantastic for the sport of boxing and he's achieved lots of things. His name is on the boxing map for years to come. Should he come back? Is it the right decision? We'll only find that out over the next year, 18 months, however long he's back for, and that will be based on how he performs.

"He got knocked out quite badly by Manny Pacquiao and nobody wants to go out like that but is that the writing on the wall? Is that telling you it's the right decision [to retire]?

"If he wants to box, he should box. Nobody can tell him what to do."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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