Ricky Hatton Homecoming

Ricky Hatton returns to the ring on May 24th against the Juan Lazcano since his defeat from Floyd Mayweather Jnr. In front of a home crowd exceding 55,000 the pressure is begining to mount on Hatton to put on an impressive performance over Lazcano and should Malignaggi come through victourious, a proposed line up by the end of the year.

Ricky Hatton had the following to say

"Everybody is pointing the finger a little bit, saying 'his lifestyle has finally caught up with him'," he said.

"A lot of people think you wind down your career when you come off a defeat but I think the opposite thing.

"People expect me to bow out after a couple more fights, but to me things keep getting bigger and bigger."

"I'm not saying I needed a kick up the backside but sometimes that's what a knockout defeat can do. You go back to basics a little bit and look at the bigger picture. I think that's why so many champions come back stronger from a loss."

With Lazcano coming prepared for war, Hatton will have to up his workrate and stick to his gameplan during the fight and not get carried away with his home crowd who expect a knock out.

Lazcano on the other hand has nothing to lose and everything to gain. With the recent upsets this year (Junior Witter and Paul Williams) there is talk that Hatton is looking to far ahead, just like Witter, in a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather in which the British record might be broken again with up to 100,000 expected to attend.

Hatton commented on the possibility of either Croke Park or Wembley

We have looked at Croke Park. That is an arena that could do it. It is something we have our eye on.

"You can't think it could get any better but it does. It never ceases to amaze me as I have never looked at myself as a superstar.

"But my fights have become more than a boxing match. They are events."

We have looked at Croke Park. That is an arena that could do it. It is something we have our eye on.

"You can't think it could get any better but it does. It never ceases to amaze me as I have never looked at myself as a superstar.

"But my fights have become more than a boxing match. They are events."

Malignaggi also has a fight which he needs to get through to earn a good payday against Hatton

"You will be seeing and hearing a lot about me in the next few months. There is real anticipation. People have heard about me but now they can see what this kid is really about.

"Ricky's not a great fighter. The best fighter I have fought is Miguel Cotto and he would knock Ricky out. Ricky will not fight Mayweather ever again because when he gets in the ring it's over.

"But I am a great fighter and I am going to show people I am a great fighter. This is a big year for me and by the end of the year the truth will come out. I am in my prime and I am going to do a job on Ricky."

Two Dice Boxing's thoughts on this this fight, is that Hatton will fight a tough and volatile Lazcano and grind out a 12 round decision, the perfect tonic coming back from a defeat to Floyd Mayweather and will boost his confidence back up. Hatton will fight close up and prevent Lazcano form landing any hooks while allowing Hatton to land more punches per round.

Malignaggi barely got through Herman Ngoudjo in his last fight and again when he had previously fought Lovemore N'Dou, this fight will be no different and Paulie will grind out another 12 round decision. Paulie lacks the power to knock an opponent out and will not excite the crowd as expected. The atmosphere will also persuade Golden Boy Promotions to think about staging more events in the United Kingdom.

The fight is being presented by Frank Maloney promotions and Punch Promotions and will be available to watch on Sky Box Office and Stream Tv