• Ricky Hatton v Vyacheslav Senchenko

Shannon admits to Hatton worries

ESPN staff
November 22, 2012
Trainer Bob Shannon has been happy with Ricky Hatton's training © PA Photos
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Trainer Bob Shannon is concerned Ricky Hatton's return to the ring may have come too late in his career.

Hatton will step back into action in Manchester on Saturday when he takes on Vyacheslav Senchenko. It will be the Hitman's first fight since his brutal defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao in 2009.

Pacquiao has labelled Hatton's return to the ring a mistake and his new trainer is concerned, but feels the work they have done on defence will pay off.

"The only excuse he can have if it does go wrong is that he's probably left it too late," Shannon told the Daily Mirror. "He left the comeback too late. Of course I worry about that. Anybody would because let's be honest, no-one is going to know until that first bell goes."

Hatton was demolished by Pacquiao and picked apart by Floydf Mayweather Jr, but Shannon feels substantial improvement has been made in his boxing craft.

"All I've done is improve the way he fights by getting him a defence because he's never had one before," Shannon said. "In training on the pads, I've been clipping him. I've been throwing shots back. He's learnt to deal with that really well and he takes a lot of the punches on his gloves.

"I think we're going to see that exciting Ricky Hatton again."

Shannon feels Hatton is in top shape for his return to the ring as he claims the work they have done has been out of the top drawer.

He said: "The training has been right, the sparring has been right and he can say I got beat by the better man on the night if he loses.

"All the questions about Ricky will be answered on the night."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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