MANILA, Philippine – Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, who suffered a devastating 2nd round knockout loss to Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in May 2009, stressed that his boxing career is not yet over.

“I’d like to clarify the position with regards my boxing career once again. As usual, one sentence out of many can take a conversation out of context, and until you hear it officially from the horse's mouth, I am not retired!” the British boxing superstar said in his Manchester Evening News column.

He also mentioned that he will inform the public when he decides to make a comeback.

“I have renewed my license and if I wake up one day and the urge is there, you’ll be the first to know,” assured Hatton.

The Briton, who has 45 wins (with 32 knockouts) and 2 losses, has not returned to the ring since his loss to Pacquiao on May 2, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He shifted his focus to marketing bouts under his boxing promotional company, Hatton Promotions.

His fate inside the boxing ring has been uncertain as he has issued varied statements on his possible comeback. (Read:Former Pacquiao foe Hatton unlikely to fight again and Hatton to fight again this year)

Hatton is a former champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super lightweight, The Ring Magazine junior welterweight, World Boxing Association (WBA) light welterweight, WBA welterweight, IBF super lightweight and International Boxing Organization (IBO) junior welterweight divisions. – With a report from Manchester Evening News