Post fight video: Ricky Hatton vs Vyacheslav Senchenko

British boxing hero Ricky Hatton hit the canvas in the ninth round on Saturday night from a body blow from opponent Vyacheslav Senchenko, a significant strike that sealed the Mancunian’s demise from his beloved sport.

A wave of home-grown hype from the world of Boxing wasn’t enough to see Ricky Hatton, a one-time welterweight champion, live up to his promises to get back to his best and challenge the big hitters in the division.

Hatton was quick to call time on his career in the ring, a decision that many felt came one fight too late for the 34-year-old who attracted 20,000 fans to the Manchester Arena.

“That’s it for Ricky Hatton,” he said. “I haven’t got it any more. I had a good cry. But I’m a happy man. I don’t feel like killing myself, I don’t feel like slitting my wrists. I’m not going to put my loved ones through that again. I’ve put my demons to bed.”

The proud Mancunian said he wanted to erase the memory of defeat by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in 2009, but Hatton’s 14th fight in the arena would be the first defeat in front of his home fans, a sad ending to what has been an industrious and celebrated career.

“I’m really heartbroken,” said the fighter. I’m gutted. I’m a champion, I’m a fighter. I’m sick, I worked so hard. He caught me a few times earlier. It was a very good shot.”

His trainer Bob Shannon said, “He’s not 24, he’s 34. He looked old at times; you can’t beat youth. But whatever he decides to do, the team will stand by him.”

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