Helpless Hatton devoured by Pac Man

RICKY HATTON has been urged by his camp to think only of his health when deciding his boxing future.

Hatton’s dream of becoming the best pound for pound boxer in the world was brought to a shuddering halt by a thunderous left hook to the chin by Manny Pacquiao on Sunday morning.

The Filipino superstar had already sent the British hero to the canvas twice in the opening round before delivering the blow at the end of the second that had Hatton out cold before he hit the ground at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to take his record to 45-2.

All thoughts of the loss of Hatton’s IBO light-welterweight title and his unbeaten record in the 140lb division were put to one side as he lay prone in the ring long after referee Kenny Bayless had called the fight off without bothering to start a count.

And though he was eventually helped onto a stool before walking back to his dressing room, he was then taken to hospital for precautionary health checks.

Head trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr told the television cameras he thought it was time for Hatton to retire, before leaving without attending the post-fight press conference.

That left assistant trainer Lee Beard and Hatton Promotions chief executive Gareth Williams to field questions on their fighter’s future.

Speaking of Hatton’s potential next steps after a 47-fight professional career that has now seen him lose by stoppage to both Floyd Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao in the last 17 months, Beard said: “There’s going to be no rush.

“He’s made a stack of money. He mentioned the fans and it really hurts him because he fights for the fans.

“They came out in their thousands again for him and I think that affects him mentally, it hurts him.

“But it’s all about what he wants to do, don’t carry on fighting for the fans. You’ve got to think of your health as well.

“He got caught with some big shots in there and maybe if it had gone six or eight rounds there would have been more wear and tear. But he got caught early, it was only the second round and he got hurt a few times before then.”

There was talk of a split in the Hatton camp in the run-up to the fight, specifically between Mayweather and Beard, but the Englishman denied that had been a factor.

“Me and Floyd were laughing and joking beforehand – there’s no problems at all,” he said.

“There have been rumours to stir up the camp, but there’s no problems between me and him.

“Ricky drifted from the game plan – he turned it into a brawl and got caught.” Beard would not speculate about any future working relationship between Hatton and Mayweather – or about the question of retirement.

“That’s his decision and I can’t make that decision for him,” he said. “Only he can make that decision and it’s like a knee-jerk reaction to discuss things like that.” Trainer of the year Freddie Roach believes Pacquiao is at the peak of his powers and capable of beating anyone following his demolition of Hatton. “Manny’s unbelievable,” Roach said. “He makes me look good. He’s the best fighter in the world and the reason I’m the best trainer in the world.”

Hatton’s father will leave it up to his son to decide whether to retire. “We will support him in whatever he does,” Ray Hatton said.

“At this moment he’s probably got a few mixed feelings about it. He’ll make that decision whichever way he wants to and the family will support him.”