Boxer Set to Fight Ricky Hatton Before Death Gets Legendary New Opponent
The boxer that Ricky Hatton was scheduled to fight has been given a new bout against another British legend.
On September 14, the world mourned the loss of British boxing great Hatton after the 46-year-old was found dead by his manager and friend Paul Speak at his Greater Manchester home.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said there were no suspicious circumstances and an inquest later revealed that the provisional cause of death was judged as ‘hanging’.
The shocking news came just months before Hatton was due to make a spectacular return to the ring against Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight bout on 2 December in Dubai.
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Now, it has been revealed that Hatton's scheduled opponent will compete against another British boxing legend in a fight card that is set to pay tribute to Hatton.
Hatton, who had last fought professionally in 2012, was originally scheduled to fight Al Dah in December.
Of course, following the news of Hatton's passing, Al Dah withdrew from the fight card as he mourned the loss of his opponent, who he has since admitted had become a friend to in the build up to their fight.
But now, the Emirati fighter is set to return to the ring in February to face former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion Kell Brook as the Brit laces up the gloves one more time in order to pay tribute to a legend of British boxing.
Brook, who is known by his nickname The 'Special One', will take on the 'Arabian Warrior' on February 13 at the Dubai Media City, with 15,000 fans attending the event which will be entirely dedicated to honouring Hatton.
All proceeds raised by the event will go to The Ricky Hatton Foundation, a charity set up in memory of the boxing great to support athletes struggling with mental health issues.
A statement from promoter Agenda Dubai read: "The UAE’s first professional boxer, Eisa Al Dah will face the UK’s former World Champion Kell Brook for the WBC World Title, The Union Belt.
"Featuring a full undercard of UAE Residents v Manchester UK fighters, plus celebrity guests.
"The evening will feature tributes and honour the legendary Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton and support the newly formed Ricky Hatton Foundation.
"This is a night of boxing not to be missed brought to you by The Agenda, the home of boxing in the UAE."
Brook's last fight was in 2022, when he retired following a career-defining win over fellow Brit and bitter rival Amir Khan.
Eisa Al Dah speaks out after Ricky Hatton's tragic death
Shortly after news of Hatton's passing was confirmed, Al Dah revealed that he was heartbroken by the loss as he was just days away from meeting up with his opponent in Dubai.
He told The National: “In just a couple of hours, I was [going to see] him here in Dubai.
“We booked the hotel. We booked the [plane] ticket. Everything had been arranged.
“From my side, I was checking everything, and I was so excited to see him over here and visit us here in Dubai.
“And he was also excited. But suddenly, I get this news from his managers. My heart is broken.
“Since knowing I will fight him, I became very close to him, seeing his news, following him on Instagram.
“I follow his life, how he trained, everything. I cannot believe it. I wish somebody told me this is wrong.
“I’ve been through many things in my life in the boxing or business. But this is something that I cannot believe.”
Topics: Ricky Hatton, Boxing
Ben McCrum