Footage has emerged of Ricky Hatton MBE training before his return to the boxing ring against Marco Antonio Barrera.The news broke that Hatton would have the gloves back on for the first time since 2012 after a tweet was sent out from his official ‘@HitmanHatton’ account. The tweet included: “I can confirm my return to the ring. Join me for a huge party night – with top music acts – in Manchester on July 2. #HitmanRises. It’s not how you fall, it’s how you rise…”It will be an event fuelled with nostalgia as Hatton faces off in his hometown Manchester. His last fight came in November 2012 when he was knocked out by Vyacheslev Senchenko.In all honesty, the same outcome looks inevitable if his training footage is anything to go by. Hatton was filmed on the punching bag in the gym, looking lethargic and extremely flat footed. However, the former light-welterweight and welterweight has three more months to develop match sharpness. Ricky Hatton was defeated by Floyd Mayweather LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 08: Referee Joe Cortez separates Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the end of the sixth round of their WBC world welterweight championship fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 8, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather knocked Hatton out in the 10th round. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Hatton finished his career with a remarkable 45-3 record and was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine, the Boxing Writers Association of America and ESPN back in 2005.He said: “I got a call and was asked if I would come back to do this for the fans who have been locked up for ages during Covid. Covid has been tough for me, for everyone.“I want to inspire people who have had mental health problems, too.“They can look at me and say, 'He struggled and now look at where he is' so they can do it too.”

Barrera will also be returning to the ring and will look to spoil Hatton’s hometown reunion.

The Mexican boxer had an extremely successful career, holding several world championships across three different weight classes including WBO junior featherweight, lineal featherweight and IBF super featherweight. 

He was beaten by Amir Khan in 2009 and last featured in 2011, defeating Jose Arias in his 67th win of his 75-fight career.

Barrera has inevitably already viewed the footage on Hatton’s Twitter and is probably unphased by his opponent’s efforts so far.