Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton will end a 13-year retirement on December 2, when he faces Eisa Al Dah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The fight was announced Sunday at a show promoted by Al Dah in Dubai. The two fighters had to settle for a virtual showdown after the 46-year-old Hatton suffered an undisclosed eye injury while attending the kickoff of Oasis’ reunion tour this week in Cardiff, Wales. Hatton said he hoped to be able to reschedule an in-person face-off in the coming weeks.
“I’m very much looking forward to it myself,” said Hatton, 45-3 (32 KOs), an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee in 2024. “What you’re trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic. Hopefully this will be a spinoff for more events for you to have over there and hopefully we can get the ball rolling with a bang.”
Hatton of Manchester, England last fought in 2012, when he was knocked out in nine rounds by Vyacheslav Senchenko. Prior to that, the former IBF junior welterweight and WBA welterweight titleholder had been out of the ring for over three years following his second round knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao.
Al Dah, 8-3 (4 KO), is no ring rookie himself at age 46, and boasts being the first pro boxer from the United Arab Emirates. Al Dah turned pro in 2007, winning his first three bouts but finding difficulty whenever he fought outside of the United Kingdom or Dubai, losing twice by stoppage in Mexico and a split decision to a journeyman named Anthony Woods in Florida back in 2010.
His last fight was in 2021, when he was stopped in the first round by Mexican journeyman Pedro Delgado in 2021.
Since 2022, Al Dah has operated in boxing primarily as a promoter, promoting 11 events, all in Dubai, including Sunday’s show where his fight with Hatton was announced.
“This fight will not be like the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. This will be a true fight, true action and I will do my best,” said Al Dah.
“If I lose the fight, my head will be up. I promise you.”
