Ricky Hatton Announces Boxing Comeback at 46: A New Chapter Begins in Dubai

Hatton’s comeback set for December showdown with Eisa Al Dah after 13 years out of the ring

Thirteen years after hanging up his gloves, Ricky Hatton is set to step through the ropes once again. The former two-weight world champion, one of Britain’s most beloved and charismatic boxing figures, has officially confirmed his comeback, announcing a December return in Dubai where he’ll face Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight clash.

It’s a decision that’s sure to stir excitement, nostalgia, and perhaps a little trepidation among boxing fans. But for Hatton, 46 and turning 47 in October, the fire still clearly burns.

A Return Years in the Making

The news broke on Sunday night during a boxing event promoted by Al Dah in Dubai. Hatton wasn’t physically present — a freak accident involving his sunglasses left him with a minor eye injury — but he appeared via livestream, grinning and ready for the spotlight once more.

“I wish I was there,” Hatton said. “But I had a little bad injury on my eye. The main thing is the fight will take place and I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to it.”

He elaborated on the mishap with trademark humour: “It’s just one of them freakish things — I caught one of my sunglasses in my eye and I’m very fortunate it’s not done any permanent damage. It’s just scraped the surface, so fingers crossed we’re good to go.”

Despite the setback, Hatton’s message was clear: he’s coming back, and he’s coming back to fight.

From Manchester’s Hero to Global Icon

Few British boxers have captured the public imagination quite like Ricky Hatton. A proud son of Manchester, the “Hitman” amassed an incredible record of 45 wins from 48 bouts in a career that saw him rise from local cult hero to global superstar.

Hatton ruled at both light-welterweight and welterweight, with career-defining wins over the likes of Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo. His defeat of Tszyu in 2005 remains one of the most revered performances by a British fighter in modern times.

But it wasn’t just about belts and wins. Hatton’s relentless pressure-fighting style, affable personality, and ability to fill arenas with passionate fans made him one of the most loved figures in the sport. Even in defeat — most notably against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009 — Hatton’s grit and honesty endeared him to fans the world over.

The Final Bell… Or So We Thought

Ricky Hatton confirms boxing return, ends 13-year retirement

His last professional appearance came in 2012, when he was stopped in the ninth round by Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Senchenko. That bout was billed as a farewell fight — a final chance to close a chapter that had, by Hatton’s own admission, ended in personal turmoil the first time around.

But as many boxing greats have shown, retirement is rarely forever. Now, in 2025, with his body healed and his passion reignited, Hatton is lacing the gloves again — and doing so on his own terms.

The timing is uncanny. His return comes hot on the heels of another boxing legend’s comeback: Manny Pacquiao, now 46, announced in May that he’ll challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in July. The appetite for legends’ returns, it seems, hasn’t faded.

Why Now? Why Dubai?

Hatton’s opponent on 2 December will be Eisa Al Dah, a 46-year-old fighter from the UAE with a professional record of 8 wins in 11 bouts. Al Dah hasn’t fought since 2021, when he suffered a loss to Mexico’s Pedro Alejandro Delgado.

On paper, it’s a matchup designed more for occasion than for ranking points. A celebration of boxing, a nod to the past, and a chance for two veterans to share the stage in a city that has increasingly become a hub for combat sports.

Dubai makes sense. The emirate has hosted major boxing and MMA cards in recent years, attracting big names and big purses. It’s a glamorous setting for what is, at its heart, a fight born out of passion rather than necessity.

A Legacy Beyond the Ropes

For Hatton, this isn’t about proving something to the world. He’s already done that, time and again. This comeback seems rooted in love — for the sport, for the fans, and perhaps for the version of himself that only exists between the bells.

He’s been open in the past about his mental health struggles post-retirement, detailing his battles with depression and addiction in the years following his final fights. His 2012 return was as much about closure as it was competition. This time, though, it feels different.

There’s a confidence in Hatton’s voice, even as he jokes about poking himself in the eye. He’s not chasing ghosts. He’s chasing joy.

Will This Be the Last Dance?

It’s too soon to say whether this is a one-off or the start of something more. Boxing has a way of pulling its stars back in — but it also has a brutal way of reminding them why they left. For now, all signs point to a single bout, one night under the Dubai lights to remind us all what made Hatton great.

There will, of course, be concern. Boxing is an unforgiving sport, especially to fighters in their late 40s. But Hatton has always respected the game — and one hopes he enters prepared, healthy, and safe.

Final Thoughts: Ricky Hatton’s Comeback Is About More Than Boxing

In the end, this comeback is not just about Ricky Hatton. It’s about resilience, redemption, and the enduring pull of the ring. It’s about aging gracefully but fiercely. About proving, if only to yourself, that the fire still burns.

So come December 2, in Dubai, we’ll get to see a familiar walk to the ring, the Union Jack draped proudly, and the roar of fans — even if they’re tuning in from thousands of miles away.

The Hitman is back. And for one night only, boxing will belong to Ricky Hatton once again.