When The Bell Tolls...

After being knocked out at the end of the second round on Saturday, people are calling for Ricky Hatton to retire – but why should he? Fair enough, the punch that floored him would have seriously hurt mere mortals like you and I, but I hope Ricky doesn’t quit like this, he can’t.

‘Experts’ have been saying his health might suffer – Ricky is 30 and in top physical condition and this is the only time he’s been hurt, badly. Don’t forget that this is only his second defeat of his career, his opponent, Manny Pacquiao, has lost three times.

It’ll be such a shame if Ricky does quit, I can understand his health concerns but the fact that there was NOTHING wrong with him after the fight, apart from being a bit dazed obviously, has escaped people’s reviews. One report stated that he ‘didn’t have a mark on him’!

People have pointed to the fact that he ‘doesn’t have anything left to prove’ – yes he does. He has to prove that he can get back from this defeat and show what a good fighter he really is. A boxer is only great when he learns how to take a defeat – many undefeated boxers have quit once they get beat for the first time.

With boxing comes money - that old chestnut! I don’t think Ricky will attract the amount of promoters and investors he has over the last few years, if he carries on and that could be a good thing! I believe Ricky should maybe have 5 or 6, not easy but ‘winnable’ fights (ala Rocky, at the start of Rocky 3!) to build up his confidence – because that’s all what’s missing.

As soon as I heard the bell go, I thought that Ricky wasn’t up for it, I could see his confidence draining out of him after each punch - and those two first round knockdowns didn’t help either! Oh and make sure you sack Mayweather Sr. too Ricky, the man is a total creep and probably does nothing for your confidence either!

Ricky is a true ‘working class hero’. In a time when overpaid, nancy footballers are described as ‘heroes’ for knocking a ball/women around, it’s easy to forget that Ricky has come from a council estate to earning millions for getting beat up! But what makes Ricky different from the rest is that he never forgets where he comes from. He’s always mixing with people in his hometown, going out for a pint, doing charity work etc.

He is a true ‘sports star’ role model, who is always honest and gracious in defeat. That’s why 25,000 people follow him to America and thousands more stay up at home and in the pubs at clubs at 4am to watch him! I would hate to see that end because of one punch, okay a brilliant punch that could have knocked anyone out – that’s what people need to realise!

The talent is there, I don’t think anyone can question that. I honestly believe it is a confidence issue. If the fight was fought in Manchester, maybe it would have been different. This is the only time that I knew the bright lights of Las Vegas and its numerous celebrity fans had affected him. Ricky has said he has let the fans down, all 25,000 who travelled over from England. No Ricky, you didn’t – you let yourself down, so stop apologising and show people that you’re no quitter!

Plus the fact that I love going out at midnight (and going home at 7am!) to watch the boxing, has got nothing to do with my support of Ricky!