by Johnny Walker
Comebacking UK superstar Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs) has announced that he’ll take on Ukrainian welterweight Vyacheslav Senchenko (32-1, 21 KOs) on November 24 in his hometown of Manchester.
Senchenko, a former welterweight titlist, is coming off the lone loss of his career, to Brooklyn’s Paul Malignaggi in April of this year.
“I can’t wait to get in the ring now and I’m sure that Vyacheslav Senchenko will give me a good fight,” Hatton said today at a presser announcing the fight.
“It’s one that I am confident I can win though.
“Senchenko lost the last time he fought to Paulie Malignaggi but he has got a good pedigree. I’m in great shape, I’m feeling good and I know I can put on a performance for all those watching.
“I’m a boxer who loves boxing and loves to box. I’m driven by a hunger to box and look forward to getting back in the ring on the 24th.”
The fight sets up a possible rematch between Hatton and current WBA welterweight king Malignaggi. The Briton defeated Malignaggi by a late stoppage in 2008, and the American has long talked of a rematch, feeling he didn’t give his best against Hatton.
Hatton retired following a disastrous outing against Manny Pacquiao in 2009, and has battled personal demons including problems with cocaine and alcohol.
His only other loss is to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007.
