RICKY HATTON has claimed that his birthday has been ruined by the cancellation of Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr’s fight this weekend.
The legendary “Hitman” turned 44 today and is currently preparing to step back into the ring himself.
The former two weight world champion was originally set to return to the ring for an eight-round exhibition fight at the AO Arena Manchester on July 2.
Hatton had shed a staggering two stone for it and even sparred with son Campbell to prepare – only for it to get called off.
But his comeback is STILL ON after it was announced his exhibition fight with Marco Antonio Barrera had been rescheduled for November 12.
Despite still being in training, he was set to celebrate his milestone today, only for the shock news that this weekend’s highly-anticipated clash between Benn and Eubank was off after the former tested positive for a banned substance.
READ MORE BOXING NEWS
Hatton told iD Boxing: “With the news that I’ve just found out, I’m having the s******* birthday ever!”
The boxing showdown was thrown into doubt on Wednesday after it emerged Benn had failed a drugs test before the British Boxing Board of Control pulled the plug and refused to sanction the bout.
Just two days before the weigh-in it emerged Benn had failed a pre-fight drug test, which SunSport understands took place on September 23.
The British bruiser returned an adverse finding for clomifene, which is commonly used as medication to treat infertility in women who do not ovulate.
Most read in Boxing
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
However, it can also increase testosterone levels in men, which is why it is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list.
After the initial news broke, Hatton had said: “It’s a travesty to hear the news the main event might not take place, but everything has to be done for the right reasons – the safety of the boxers.
“It’s just a shame because everyone on the bill including the main event has worked so hard.”
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has lashed out at British Boxing chiefs and vowed to take legal action.
Eubank Jr hit out after a late bid to rescue the fight had failed by slamming his rival for “using an illegal substance”.
But Benn has now vowed to clear his name and insisted that he is a “clean athlete”.
Read More on The Sun
Meanwhile, Manchester-born Hatton retired after losing to Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012.
Now he will be hoping to roll back the years and put on one last show against Barrera in his home town.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
