Hatton comeback edges closer as Hitman's management eye MEN Arena dates

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

Published: 17:00 EST, 22 August 2012 | Updated: 17:00 EST, 22 August 2012

Ricky Hatton inched closer to a comeback as his promotion company made 'very tentative' bookings for Manchester’s MEN Arena for dates in November and January.

Hatton has shed a lot of weight and almost given up alcohol in the last three months.

But while he wants to erase the memory of a second-round knockout by Manny Paquico in his last fight before retirement three years ago, he is still wary of a return to the ring.

Comeback: Ricky Hatton is reportedly set to return to the ring in November

If he takes the plunge it will be against a journeyman opponent, definitely not former victim Paulie Malignaggi, who now holds a world welterweight title.

The 33-year-old former two-weight world champion announced his retirement last summer and struggled with a cocaine addiction, spiralling into depression.

Hatton has since recovered and established himself as a respected trainer and promoter but has always regretted the way his career ended on the canvas in Las Vegas.

WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi feels he has unfinished business with Hatton and is desperate to do himself justice second time round.

‘I’m hearing that Ricky Hatton is interested in a comeback and I’m hearing rumours that I’m the target of that comeback,' Malignaggi said last month.

‘I’ve had three rematches in my career and I’m 3-0 in those rematches.

Bitter end: Hatton's career came to a shuddering halt against Manny Pacquiao

‘In our fight, he did very well.  I’d like to think there are a lot of things that I could have done better and I’d like to think that I’ve made a lot of changes on my team that have really, really brought out the best in me.

‘It’s a loss that I’ve had to live with. It’s a loss that hindered me and every day I think about that loss and it bothers me.

‘It’s unfortunate because I should have done much better.

‘The rematch is something that interests me. I have nothing but respect for Ricky, his fans and his family.

‘They were nothing but respectful to me during the entire promotion and I expect nothing less in the rematch.

‘I know that he wants to come back and win a title to reclaim old glory but it’s my time now and I know I can beat Ricky Hatton.’

Rematch: Hatton could face Paulie Malignaggi (left) for a second time

Another option for Hatton could yet be Australian-based South African Lovemore Ndou.

The 41-year-old holds the WBF world welterweight title and said last week: 'Him (Hatton) and I have unfinished business.

'He chose to relinquish the (IBF world) title instead of fight me.'

Ndou drew with Hatton's brother Matthew in England in 2009 in a fight he was convinced he had won.