There are many fighters following in their father’s footsteps, and whilst some like Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. have soared to great heights, others may not be cut out for the sport.
Whilst the likes of Benn and Eubank gear up for their rematch, and Manny Pacquiao‘s son prepares to debut on his father’s undercard, there is a 24-year-old British fighter who has already called it a day.
Legendary British boxer and former Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather opponent, ‘The Hitman’ Ricky Hatton, has confirmed that his son has now retired from boxing.
Hatton spoke on the numerous reasons why we won’t see his son back in the ring.
Campbell Hatton retires after back-to-back losses
In March 2024, a 14-0 Campbell Hatton fought on Dalton Smith’s undercard in Sheffield, with the hopes to claim his first professional title.
On the line was the Central Area super-lightweight belt, and Hatton was pitted against Jimmy Joe Flint to get it. Flint was 13-1-2 at the time, though many expected Hatton to conjure some of his legendary father’s fighting spirit and skill as he entered the ring.
Hatton lost a unanimous decision, and a rematch was booked in seven months later. The rematch was closer, but Flint just about nicked the win, and Hatton now had two losses on his record.
Speaking to Boxing Now, Ricky Hatton said, “Campbell won’t be fighting again. […] Fought for the area title, got beat. […] I thought he won the second one, but he didn’t get the decision. They were both very close fights, but I think he lost a bit of his mojo. Then he had a few things wrong, he sadly lost one of his best friends […] So he went through a bit of a time.”
Hatton went on to reveal what Campbell is up to now that he has hung up his gloves from boxing.
“I said if you’ve lost your mojo you need to get out of this game, you can’t play up boxing. […] So I advised him and now he’s doing solar panels.”
Strangely, whilst Campbell is now retired, his father is planning a return to the ring.
Ricky Hatton will return to the ring in December
Hatton recently announced that he will be returning to the ring in Dubai on December 2nd against Eisa Al-Dah.
Hatton’s opponent Al Dah, nicknamed ‘The Arabian Warrior’ has quite an unimpressive resume. With a record of 8-3, Al Dah has faced 11 men, yet just one of them has more wins than losses.
Al Dah lost to a 6-13 journeyman in 2010. He ended his career on a win in 2012, but returned in 2021 in an unsuccessful comeback as he was knocked out in a round by a 6-6-1 journeyman.
Al Dah is now 46, and even in his older age, Hatton will be the best opponent he has faced by far.