Hatton a tragedy in the making

The tragedy of the boxing game. This weekend Ricky Hatton was thrashed by Manny Pacquiao . Nothing particularly unusual about that. What is happening now is not unusual either, Hatton is considering his future. The tragedy of this will be if Hatton decides to come back.

Hatton has been to the top of the fight profession. He has sold out arenas throughout the world and is a hero to the people of Manchester. Here in lies the problem. Is Hatton on the verge of making a comeback to flatter his ego? Does he need to compete in front of thousands to feel normal?

Hatton has fought against the best in Mayweather and Pacquiao. He has been found wanting on both occasions. Boxing has a history of fighters going on that one fight to far and this leading to tragic consequences. Hatton is heading this way. Boxing is not like other sports veterans in boxing end up in hospital with parkinson's. There is no dignified way for a boxer to retire after a loss in most other sports a sportsman can wean them self off by playing a lower level in boxing it is not possible as the nature of the sport is hurting your opponent.

It is also a time for British professional boxing to take a long hard look at itself. Currently there is a crop of British boxers going through the transition from successful Olympic amateur to professional. The people that handle them need to consider that the only British boxer to make it to the very top has been Joe Calzaghe. He was an exceptional fighter who chose to retire at the right time(for the moment). Nobody else has made it to the top. The reason is parochialism. Boxing does not help at the this time with so many world titles around many British boxers can be world champions and sell out home town arenas. Fighters are looked after by the promoters and this means that they become hyped into thinking they are the the greatest boxer in their division. In the case of Hatton he fought the best and was found badly wanting. The question has to be asked if Frank Warren had not protected him would he have been a better fighter?

British boxers have traditionally stayed close to their roots and have trained in the towns where they are from. The British boxer remains a big fish in a small pond. The boxers need to go to the States and fight in the toughest gyms in the world. Although the US is having a tough time world champ wise it still trains the best fighters. To make it in a US gym and through the ranks of boxers a boxer really has to be good. If a boxer makes it here maybe he deserves to sell out the big arena and become a household name.