Hatton v Senchenko: Hitman's return to end in stoppage win

Will The Hitman's return to the ring be a triumphant one?

After nearly four years out of the ring Ricky Hatton makes his return on Saturday, and whilst Alex Steedman has some doubts about whether he needs to return, he can see The Hitman stopping his opponent...

Generally Sport starts at the gap between the ears. In boxing, matters tend to be decided there too. Physical preparation may be bedrock for a fighter but will, fortitude and mental strength is absolute to carry it all through. As Ricky Hatton embarks upon the most remarkable and surprising comeback this weekend he will have to win that mini battle with himself even before he commits to the war with Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Rumors began filtering out of Manchester earlier this year that Hatton was getting fit but as the weight dropped off, so those sessions and the reasons behind them intensified. Despite the seeming inevitability of Hatton's comeback announcement, it was a shock none-the-less. What has not been a surprise is the candor with which 'The Hitman' has confronted his past en route to return.

Revelations of week-long benders and longer held depressions; of late nights brooding over suicide while his kids slept soundly are troubling for those of us who have followed Hatton as perhaps the most loved fighter in Britain today.

Even by boxing standards it is a strange platform for a return. But having stared into his personal, nearly tragic abyss, Hatton has confronted his problems and believes in the road to redemption. Boxing isn't his salvation rather a means to an end using the tools he knows best; it might even offer Hatton the luxury of leaving on his own terms though rarely does the sport indulge its own in such a way.

Sugar Ray Leonard returned to the ring after more than three years out to beat Marvin Hagler narrowly in the 1980's but that is a rare, returning highlight. Leonard was an outstanding athlete; Hatton basically abused his body with Guinness in between fights even in his prime so there has to be a doubt to what extent the 'The Hitman' can sustain the pressure style which took him to the top as much as there is the possibility of returning there.

But there are three important factors to consider here: Hatton is returning for the 'right' reasons; he believes in himself but most significantly, he faces an opponent who he can definitely beat.

In almost every way, Vyacheslav Senchenko - 4.3100/30 to win the fight - is the perfect match for Hatton (1.330/100). As a recently deposed World Champion, the Ukrainian is a highly credible opponent if not necessarily a searching test.

Senchenko lost for the first time in 33 bouts when making the fourth defense of the WBA belt now held by Paulie Malignaggi. The second last time Hatton was in the ring in 2008 he ran right over the same Malignaggi at the MGM Grand, winning in 11 rounds. At his best, Hatton would steamroll Senchenko; if he's 70% or thereabouts, 'The Hitman' should still take care of business.

There is a possible vulnerability in Hatton, beyond the obvious, now that he is competing at 147lbs in the welterweight division. Even in his pomp Hatton was a strong fighter at 140lbs but seemed to struggle on the two occasions he moved up. One of those was mission impossible against Floyd Mayweather Jr but he was hanging on at the end against the good, not brilliant Luis Collazo in 2006.

Hatton is returning at this weight because he has to. It shouldn't matter against Senchenko but it is something to monitor with bigger, better, stronger fighters waiting eagerly for Hatton to prevail.

There has already been talk of potential matches with Amir Khan and Kell Brook - both would be stadium fights - so there is plenty riding on Hatton winning. Ricky will settle for that any which way but having talked emotionally in the build-up and returning to the venue he has packed time after time, you know Hatton will be revved to deliver.

He can be backed at 1.9210/11 to win by KO/TKO/DQ and on past form that would be a shoo-in. That it's a 10 round fight means that Hatton can probably fight at a decent pace too though he must win first and look good if he can.

It seems strange talking about Ricky Hatton as a fighter again never mind suggesting that he can stop a former World Champion after more than three years out of the ring. That we are must please Hatton immensely. Personally I don't think he needs this return to in any way re-affirm his position in the affections of boxing fans as well as his family or indeed to reclaim 'lost' respect. But Hatton does and proving himself all over again is an intoxicating notion.

'The Hitman' was a formidable force before, is it conceivable he can be so again? With a point to prove and the weight of support behind Ricky Hatton, would you bet against him?

Recommended Bet

Back Ricky Hatton by KO/TKO/DQ @ 1.9210/11