Hatton devastated by KO, unsure about retirement
Agence France-Presse | 05/05/2009 1:33 PM
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LONDON - British boxer Ricky Hatton said in an interview Monday that he was "devastated" by his knock-out defeat to Manny Pacquiao at the weekend, but had yet to decide whether to make that fight his last.
Hatton told Sky Sports News that he had not anticipated the Filipino's knock-out punch, which left him flat on his back in Las Vegas.
"If we'd have gone a few rounds it could have been different, but he caught me with practically the first punch he threw, to be honest," he said.
"I'd rather have been knocked out in two rounds than have somebody that has out-classed me for the full duration. Maybe it could have been different, but that's boxing.
"I've lost twice and I've lost to the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, it's not a bad way of looking at it, but I'm devastated. I would not have put my money on that happening."
Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr said that after the weekend fight, and the defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jnr 17 months ago, the English fighter should retire -- but Hatton said he had yet to make up his mind.
"I really don't know at the minute, because I never thought that was ever going to happen. But people are still going to see plenty of me," he said.
"I've been a great world champion, I've been the best in the world, and I think I can be the best promoter in the world and I think that is the avenue I want to go down."
Asked about rumors of a split in the Hatton camp between Mayweather Snr and assistant trainer Lee Beard, Hatton replied: "There was things that could have been different but I'd rather not talk about it."
