Welterweight

Matthew Hatton confirms retirement

ESPN staff

September 3, 2013

On the podcast this week, Matthew Hatton tells Steve Bunce why the time has come to quit boxing

European welterweight champion Matthew Hatton has confirmed his retirement from boxing, having strongly hinted as much earlier this week on Buncey's Boxing Podcast.

The younger brother of former world champion Ricky, Hatton has called time on his 13-year career following his defeat by Chris van Heerden in March in his third - and now final - world title shot.

Speaking on Steve Bunce's ESPN podcast, Hatton had said: "I was very disappointed after my last fight even though it was a tough place to go.

"Chris is a decent fighter but I expect so much of myself, and with all due respect to Chris, even though it was a tough assignment, I shouldn't be losing to fighters of that level so I've been thinking really hard and I'll make a decision really soon."

Confirming his decision, Hatton said: "When you've got kids, you begin to realise what is important in life and when you've got a doctor pointing out all the possibilities of what could go wrong, it puts things into perspective.

"I've got two young children now and even though they can act as a motivation tool for fighters, they also highlight the risks that a fighter takes every time we step into the ring."

Hatton retires with a record of 43 wins in 51 bouts, with six defeats.

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