Ricky Hatton plans to fight before retiring

Published Jan. 13, 2010 4:51 p.m. ET

foxsports

Ricky Hatton wants to end his career on a high note rather than his second-round knockout at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.

The loss to Pacquiao in an IBO title fight eight months ago is still weighing on the former world light-welterweight champion.

``As a fighter, you don't want your last fight to be like that,'' Hatton said Wednesday. ``I want to finish at the top and I know my last training camp could have been better, so those are the reasons I'm giving it one more go.

``I've sat down and listened to the people that are close to me and know what I'm capable of.''

No date or venue has been set for the comeback bout, but Hatton (45-2) wants a tough challenge.

``We're looking at the IBF champion Juan Urango, who I've already fought and beaten,'' the British fighter said. ``It's got to be a top-10 ranked, pound-for-pound fighter or a world champion of some sort.''

Hatton's losses have come against the last two pound-for-pound kings, after being stopped in 10 rounds by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007 for the WBC title.

He then successfully defended his IBO title against Juan Lazcano and Paul Malignaggi, but didn't impress in either fight.

``After the Mayweather defeat, I jumped straight into action straight away and I didn't really perform my best,'' Hatton said. ``But this time I've had a good rest, recharged the batteries and had a really good think, put that last fight really behind me. I'm happy to get back at it now.''

Hatton is going to Australia for vacation next week and plans to start getting in shape after he returns. But the big-punching ``Hitman'' is not looking ahead than one more fight.

``I'm going to have one more fight, maybe two more fights - it all depends on the performance of the first fight,'' Hatton said. ``It's always hard coming back from a defeat. It would be very foolish of me to say, 'Two more fights, three more fights.'

``You can see I've set the wheels in motion for retirement - I've got my promotional company now, got my health and fitness, got my clothing brand. I'm not going to have too many more fights. At the minute, I'm definitely just going to have one more.''