Ricky Hatton has revealed that he is returning to the boxing ring in order to show people that he has bounced back from his personal problems.
Hatton has suffered a series of well-documented problems since retiring from boxing three years ago, including rumours of drug abuse, alcoholism and depression.
However, 'The Hitman' insists that he is over his problems now and wants to rebuild his legacy and reputation.
"It's been well documented what's happened to me since the last time you saw me in a boxing ring. I suffered a two-round demolition to Manny Pacquiao in my last fight and nobody wants to see their career end that way," said the 33-year-old.
"Consequently it pushed me into retirement which I never really wanted to do, and what happened to me in the last three years came because of what happened to me in that fight and the manner of that defeat. I don't want people telling my kids that I blew it. I want my kids to be able to say, 'He was a world champion, he had his problems, but my did he bounce back'. I want people to be proud of me again.
"I want British sport, my kids and my fans and my friends to be proud of me. I had my problems but I'm over that now and I want people to look at me in a different light. I don't want people to see how I flushed my life away. I understand there'll be people concerned for my welfare and it's nice to know there's so many people care about me, but I think they know why I'm coming back."
Hatton's career record currently stands at 45-2, with his only losses coming against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquaio.
Barney Corkhill
