Ricky Hatton has asked for trust after admitting that people are concerned about his surprise comeback in December.

On Sunday, the 46-year-old announced that he will return to the ring on December 2 in Dubai in a fight against ‘Arabian Warrior’ Eisa Al Dah, 46.

It will be the former Ring Magazine champion’s first fight since an exhibition outing against Marco Antonio Barrera in Manchester in November 2022. He has not had a competitive fight since he was stopped by Vyacheslav Senchenko in the ninth round of their November 2012 contest.

It was the second successive defeat for Manchester’s much-loved ‘Hitman’ following his crushing second-round knockout at the hands of Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas three years earlier.

Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs), who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024, now spends most of his time training fighters but has opened up during a post on social media insisting that the fight against Al Dah will do wonders for his own mental health.

The Manc legend has openly discussed his turmoil following the conclusion of his professional boxing career and revealed that he battled drinks and drug problems as well as suicidal thoughts.

This fight against Al Dah, in contrast, will provide him with some fresh purpose despite some worries for his health in the wake of his announcement.

Hatton, who will be 47 by the time the fight happens, wrote: “Just a quick statement at how excited I am to be putting the gloves on again on December 2 in Dubai. I always said after my exhibition a couple of years ago against Marco [Antonio Barrera] if another opportunity came up I’d always look at it and weigh up the pros and cons.

“I have and this is a good and sensible fight for me. I’m 47 years old, not unlike my opponent, I’m not 58 years old. I’m not going into world level or straight into a world title fight. I know I’m no longer at world level these days. But I have the good sense to know what fights are good for me and what fights are beyond me. No matter how old we get in life we still have goals, ambitions, targets to set up yourself. We still have to have a reason to get up in the morning.

“Nobody more than me for my mindset and mental health. There’s a very good reason to give me focus and keep me healthy, not the opposite. Why did Mike Tyson fight again? Why is Manny Pacquiao fighting again? Why is Paulie Malignaggi fighting again? (bare knuckle) Why is Shane Mosley fighting again? We’re fighters, it’s what we do.

“The fight’s still some way off but I can't wait to get back into training camp again, train hard and feel good. As I have all my life I look forward to putting a show on again for everyone. I appreciate people’s concerns but please trust me, I feel great and it will be nothing but great for me. Love Ricky.”