Former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton has officially announced his boxing comeback. The Manchester-born fighter, who turns 47 in October, will face Eisa Al Dah from the United Arab Emirates in a middleweight bout scheduled for 2 December in Dubai.
The event organizers confirmed that the contest will be a professional fight, but details remain unclear regarding its full sanctioning or whether it will have modified conditions similar to the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul bout, which featured shorter rounds and a limited number of rounds.
Hatton’s Last Fight and Injury Update
Hatton’s most recent appearance in the ring was an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022. His last official professional fight took place in 2012, ending in a loss to Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Senchenko.
The fight was announced at a Dubai event promoted by Al Dah, where Hatton joined via livestream to confirm his return. He explained he was unable to attend in person due to an unusual eye injury.
“I wish I could have been there, but I suffered a small injury to my eye after accidentally poking myself with my sunglasses,” Hatton said. “Fortunately, there is no permanent damage, and I’m ready for the fight. I can’t wait.”
Ricky Hatton’s Legacy and Eisa Al Dah’s Record
Hatton enjoyed a remarkable 15-year career, winning 45 out of 48 professional fights. He claimed world titles at both welterweight and light-welterweight, with memorable victories over Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo. However, he also faced defeats against boxing legends Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Interestingly, Hatton’s announcement comes shortly after Pacquiao, aged 46, confirmed his return for a WBC welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios on 19 July.
Al Dah, 46, has a professional record of eight wins and three losses, with his last fight taking place in 2021 when he was defeated by Mexico’s Pedro Alejandro Delgado.
