RICKY Hatton has confirmed that he will return to the ring for at least one more fight this year.

The Hitman made the long-awaited announcement on his website, saying: “I’ve decided to make a comeback and have another fight this year – probably round about the summertime.

“There’s been no opponent that has been confirmed yet. There’s been no date confirmed yet. But the point is I have made my mind up I am going to have one more fight.”

The Manchester Hitman confirmed on Wednesday that he has fallen prey to the temptation which has lured so many great boxers into risking damage to their health by prolonging their careers.

Hatton said: ‘It is nice that people worry about me but I owe it to my fans to give it one more go.’

The probability is that the 31-year-old Hatton will be back in the ring at the end of May, one calendar year after being knocked unconscious by world pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao.

The likeliest opponent, given that Amir Khan is committed to a mandatory world title defence this spring, is Juan Manuel Marquez. This Mexican warrior is the reigning
world lightweight champion but willing to move up to Hatton’s natural light-welterweight.