Lennox Lewis Comeback - Is it worth it?

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97

Surely just a joke?

Twitter has blown up this morning with the news that British heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis could potentially make a comeback to fight current heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO world titles.

Hatton comeback rumours continue to escalate!

The rumours that former two-weight world champion and British fan-favourite Ricky Hatton will return to the ring later this year are forever growing stronger. Numerous sources claim that the 33-year old Mancunian will announce a two-fight comeback in the very near future.

Hatton last fought in 2009 when he was knocked out in just two rounds by Manny Pacquiao and at that time he insisted that he was retired for good. However, he has been back in the gym and training a lot recently. Those close to Hatton claim that he is the best shape he has been in for a very long time.

At first the most likely fight for Hatton was against Paulie Malignaggi in November but his old rival is already scheduled to fight on October 20th against Pablo Cesar Cano. This would mean that Malignaggi would have only a month to prepare for one of the biggest fights of his career. So I think its almost certain that this fight will not happen in November.

However, I do think that if Hatton does make a comeback, he will definitely fight Malignaggi. Whether its his first or second fight, he will end up fighting him. Both men want the fight and it would be an easy bout to sell and make. The most likely outcome is that Hatton will face Malignaggi at the start of 2013 and if he is victorious he will move onto an even bigger challenge. You never know... Maybe even Manny Pacquiao?

Robert Helenius preparing for ring return!

Undefeated Finnish heavyweight Robert Helenius (17-0,11 KO's) is now back in full training for the first time since his controversial victory over Dereck Chisora back in December of last year. The Nordic Nightmare, claimed that he had a shoulder injury going into the fight with Chisora and it got even worse during the hard-fought bout.

In a recent interview, Helenius stated that he has learned his lesson after paying the price for ignoring an injury and going through with a fight while injured.

Helenius is now back to full-time training and is expected to begin serious sparring very soon. The former European heavyweight champ should be ready to make a return in November.

His assistant trainer George Bramowsky claims that his fighter will be a big force in heavyweight division in the future:

"Robert is on the way back thanks to successful surgery and the goal is still the heavyweight championship of the world. The lay-off just caused a delay in the time table. He is big, technically skillful and can punch, he can also block punches and move away. Robert will be a nightmare for his opponents in the future as well."

Ricky Hatton to return to the ring?

Hatton in his fight with Paulie Malignaggi.

There have been tons of rumours circulating that retired British fan favourite Ricky Hatton is looking to make a return to the ring for the first time since 2009. The rumour has not yet been confirmed by Hatton or any of his team but there are a lot of UK media outlets that are stating that this rumour is true.

Hatton, 33-years old, last fought in May of 2009, where he suffered a devastating knock out loss to Manny Pacquiao.

It's fair to say that at this moment in time, Hatton is not in shape. However, according to inside reports, the former two-time world champion has been training a lot lately and has also been shedding a lot of weight. It's  hard to believe that this story is true as there have never been any signs that the Manchester-born man was even considering returning to the ring. At the moment, I'm not actually sure whether I would want to see Mr.Hatton back in the ring. I've enjoyed watching him fight so many times and he does usually bring a lot of excitement for the fans. However, I do not want him to become another one of the ring legends that tarnish their career because they just don't know when to hang up the gloves. I know he's only 33, but he's been inactive for over three years and I just don't think that he will ever be able to make it back to the top. I hope I'm wrong.

What's even more surprising is that the rumours that are circulating also state that Hatton is targeting WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi. Hatton defeated Malignaggi by an 11th round stoppage prior to his loss to Manny Pacquiao.

Always chatty and willing to talk Malignaggi gave his thoughts on the rumours:

"I'm hearing that Ricky Hatton is interested in a comeback," said the New Yorker. "I'm hearing rumours that I'm the target of that comeback. I've had two rematches in my career and I'm 2-0 in those rematches. In our fight, he did very well. I'd like to think that there are a lot of things that I could have done [better] and I'd like to think that I have made a lot of changes on my team that have really, really brought out the best in me."

"It's a loss that I've had to live with. It's a loss that hindered me and every day I think about the loss and it bothers me. It's unfortunate because I should have done much better, but it was what it was. The rematch is something that interests me. I have nothing but respect for Ricky, his fans and his family. They were nothing but respectful to me during the entire promotion and I expect nothing less in the rematch. I know that he wants to come back and win a title to reclaim old glory but it's my time now and I know that I can beat Ricky Hatton."

Ricky Hatton has not yet made a comment regarding the rumours of a ring return.

Scott Harrison could return to prison!

Former WBO featherweight champ Scott Harrison.

Former featherweight champion Scott Harrison was released from prison last year and vowed that he would forget his past and just focus on becoming a champion again.

However, things have been very different. He hasn't stayed out of all trouble at all. There have already been a few stories in the news this year about him being caught shoplifting and doing other sorts of crimes and now it looks like he could be returning to the jail he was released from for additional charges to the crime he committed.

Harrison is set to stand a trial in Spain later this year for charges that date back to 2007, when he allegedly assaulted three men and one of them apparently committed suicide shortly after the assault. It is not clear whether Harrison will be charged for this but friends of the victim blamed the suicide and Harrison's assault.

In his last visit to prison, he found himself spending two and a half years in the Costa Del Sol for an incident in 2006 where he assaulted a police officer and stole a car. The sentence at one point was anything up to eight years but Harrison entered a guilty plea meaning that the time was reduced. 

All of these troubles and crimes, caused his promoter Frank Maloney to leave him as he claimed he was "too much trouble. At this current time it looks as though Harrison will never fight again and will just have remember and dream about the times when he was one of the best in the world. 

His next outing is set for June 29th but this is very much in doubt. More information on the whole situation will come very shortly.

Rumours of Herbie Hide Vs Danny McIntosh...

Former heavyweight champ Herbie Hide.

According to reports in Nottingham, former world heavyweight champion could make a return to the ring to face fellow local boxer Danny McIntosh. If it does happen, the winner will land a shot at British cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli.

Hide has been out of the ring for almost two years due to problems outside of the sport but he now feels that he is ready to make a successful return.

"Danny is a big friend of mine and I have known since he was a young up-and-coming kid in the gym who I predicted a big future for but business is business and it won't be a problem for me stepping in the ring with him," said the 40-year old.

'The Dancing Destroyer' started his career as a cruiserweight and then moved up to heavyweight to become the world champion, until losing to current champion Vitali Klitschko. He then moved back down to cruiserweight and since then has been on a fourteen-fight unbeaten streak.

McIntosh's last fight was against British light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew and the 32-year old just didn't perform to the standards of a top level domestic fighter. He has never fought above 182lb but will have to move-up as there are really no options left for him at light-heavyweight after his devastating knock out loss to  Tony 'The Bomber' Bellew.

Herbie Hide gave his thoughts on the fight with Bellew and how he thinks his fight with 'Big Mac' will go: "He had a great chance to further his career against Tony Bellew a couple weeks back, but just didn't perform so here's his chance to prove a point and if he can beat me then I will be a big scalp for him to put on his record... However, that isn't going to happen - my experience will be too much for him and even though I'm now on the wrong side of 40, I still have plenty oof speed and punching power."

De La Hoya denies rumours of ring return...

De La Hoya denies all rumours.

There have been a few rumours flying around that ring legend Oscar De La Hoya is eyeing a return to the ring. What is even more bizarre about these rumours is that people have been saying that the 39-year old is looking to fight the winner of Saul Alvarez Vs Shane Mosley.

As you know, De La Hoya is Alvarez's promoter for Golden Boy, so the idea that this fight could happen is insane. Unless they are planning a stunt where Alvarez and De La Hoya share the ring and Oscar just lays down for the young champion to try and improve Canelo's reputation. But, I can't see this happening as De La Hoya has too much pride as a fighter to do this.

This is what De La Hoya had to say about the rumours: "The rumours that have been circulating, I've been hearing. It's just rumours that I'll be fighting the winner of this fight. That's not true. These guys are too difficult for me."

Another rumour that has been flying around is that the 39-year old will headline the the Golden Boy show at the new Barclays Centre on October 20th but it looks as if that show will instead be led by WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi and Devon Alexander.

De La Hoya's last fight came in 2008 when he lost to Manny Pacquiao. He ended his career with a record of 39-6, 30 KO's and won world titles in six different weight divisions. Although it would be great to see this man back in the ring, I do not think it is beneficial for his health or his reputation... He is already a legend in the sport, he doesn't have to prove himself anymore.