British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has announced his return to professional boxing after 13 years away from the sport.
The 46-year-old former world champion will face the United Arab Emirates' Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight bout on December 2 in Dubai.
The fight marks Hatton's first sanctioned professional contest since his 2012 defeat to Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester.
The announcement was made during a boxing show promoted by Al Dah in Dubai on Sunday.
The fight has been billed as 'Destiny in the Desert' and will take place in Dubai on December 2
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Hatton confirmed his participation via livestream, stating: "I can't wait, I'm really looking forward to it."
The bout represents a remarkable comeback for the Mancunian fighter who retired from professional boxing over a decade ago.
Hatton was scheduled to attend Sunday's press conference in Dubai but was forced to appear via video call after he revealed he had sustained a eye injury from his sunglasses whilst attending the Oasis reunion concert in Cardiff on Friday night.
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Ricky Hatton has not had a professional bout since his loss against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012
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"I wish I was there but I had a little bad injury on my eye," Hatton explained during the livestream. "It's just one of them freakish things, I caught one of my sunglasses in my eyes 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."
The injury prevented him from travelling until it heals.
Hatton's connection to Oasis runs deep, with Noel and Liam Gallagher famously walking him to the ring for his 2008 victory over Paulie Malignaggi.
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The brothers reunited this weekend after 16 years apart, with Hatton in attendance as a devoted fan.
The Hitman boasts one of British boxing's most distinguished records, winning 45 of his 48 professional bouts across a stellar 15-year career.
His defining moment came in June 2005 when he defeated Australia's Kostya Tszyu to claim the IBF and The Ring super lightweight titles.
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Ricky Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu in 2005
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Hatton captured world titles at both welterweight and light-welterweight divisions.
His remarkable 43-fight unbeaten streak ended against Floyd Mayweather in 2007, followed by a devastating knockout loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
Al Dah, also 46, holds the distinction of being the UAE's first professional boxer, having made his debut in 2007.
His record stands at eight wins from 11 bouts, with his last fight occurring in 2021 against Mexico's Pedro Alejandro Delgado.
The Emirati fighter promised genuine action for spectators, declaring: "Trust me, this fight will not be like the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight. It will be a true fight, true action."
Al Dah added that the venue would be sold out, with viewers from across the UAE, Gulf region and worldwide tuning in to watch the December clash.
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