Oscar De La Hoya is backing Ricky Hatton's expected decision to return to the ring, and says a fight with Amir Khan will happen.
De La Hoya says Briton has the passion to get back to the top
Oscar De La Hoya is backing Ricky Hatton's expected decision to return to the ring, and says a fight with Amir Khan will happen.
De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions guided Hatton's career in America and he believes the passion to fight still burns in the former champion.
Hatton has not fought for more than three years, when he was knocked out cold by Manny Pacquiao, announcing his retirement in July last year.
However, his desire to box has reportedly been reignited by training young fighters at his gym, with an announcement expected on Friday.
Fans
And De La Hoya told Sky Sports he would back any decision Hatton made.
"He makes his own decisions and if he wants to come back I believe it's great, boxing can always use a Ricky Hatton and the legions of fans he brings with him.
"The sport that he dearly loves, he misses so much, he has so much passion for, I think it's wonderful and support him 100 percent.
"It will be very, very difficult. Any type of comeback, given any kind of fight, training for two-to-three months, in the gym dedicating yourself, it's going to be very difficult.
"But if anyone can do it it will be Ricky Hatton because of the willpower, the strength he has inside of him. As long as he can train hard and really feel the passion to be on top once again, he can do it.
"I believe he can get back to the top but he has to be very calculative, he has to be very careful and train with passion."
Timing
A fight in the UK against Amir Khan would have huge box office appeal globally, according to the promoter.
"I believe it's very likely," he said. "We have to understand Ricky has been away from the ring for three years now.
"Yes he has to take a tune up fight, get his timing back in the ring, he must feel 100 percent in order to take the bigger steps.
"An Amir Khan fight would be huge; not just in the UK but all over the world. Absolutely we can make it happen.
"He still has that following, and his fans will never forget him. It's his own decision and we will support him 100 percent."
