Mancunian and British boxing legend Ricky Hatton MBE is coming out of retirement after more than a decade for his first competitive fight in 13 long years.
This is sure to be one to watch.
The Stockport-born and Hattersley-raised fighter first retired back in 2011, but did flirt with a comeback a year later in what turned out to be a one-off fight and defeat to 35-year-old Ukrainian welterweight, Vyacheslav Senchenko.
‘Hitman’ Hatton also got back in the ring for an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022, enduring eight two-minute rounds after a decade away from fighting, but now he’ll be undertaking an official fight over in the United Arab Emirates.
Lacing up his gloves at 46 years old, Hatton will be facing fellow veteran Eisa Al Dah (same age), who was the first professional boxer in the UAE.
The ‘Pride of Hyde’ may have been out of the competitive sporting sphere for a while, but he’s still remained an active figure in the boxing world.
In addition to training his son, Campbell, who has followed in his father’s fighting footsteps, Hatton has continued to coach other young boxing talents from his gym in Tameside, including John Hedges and Chloe Watson.
Campbell, 24, has won 14 of his 16 fights, losing just twice since he began in 2021.
Meanwhile, his dad – who still boasts a record of 45 victories from 48 matches, 32 of which were by knockout – will be once again focusing on getting himself back in fighting shape for the Dubai bout.
The local athlete has done plenty to dispel the old jabs of ‘Ricky Fatton’ in recent times, mind you, having taken his talents as a once-promising young footballer to play in the Manchester Remembers charity match, as well as the aforementioned Barrera exhibition.
Set for this winter, Ricky Hatton will face fellow veteran Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight contest on Friday, 2 December, telling national media via video call in the recent press conference that confirmed he would be coming out of retirement: “What you’re trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Al Dah added: “It will be a true fight, true action. And I will do my best, because everybody in the UAE and the Gulf, they will watch this fight. The place will be sold out, and it will be watched around the world.”
Will those Haymakers still hit like they used to? Well shall see before the end of the year.
Streamer AngryGinge ‘arrested and banned’ from Silvestone at the British GP
Danny Jones
Popular Manc influencer, ‘AngryGinge’, was arrested, fined and ultimately banned from Silverstone at this year’s British GP.
The Salford-born Twitch streamer, YouTuber and social media personality (real name Morgan Burtwhistle) was detained at the circuit after being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Ginge recently starred in Soccer Aid 2025 and is a well-known face both on the internet and in the sporting world, regularly working in and around football, and is an avid Manchester United – even featuring in the club’s third kit launch video last year.
The 23-year-old and two other fellow streamers, ‘Chazza’ and ‘Samham’, were accused of criminal damage after sitting in an F1 car whilst recording around the Silverstone complex.
AngryGinge returned to streaming after being detained by police for 15 hours
The streamer and several friends were arrested for climbing into a display F1 car at the British Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/WDSYb6MVtj
“On Friday, July 4, NP received a report that a classic Formula 1 car on display at Silverstone Circuit during the British Grand Prix event had sustained several thousands of pounds worth of damage, which was alleged to have been caused by someone accessing the display stand and climbing into the vehicle.
“Officers carried out initial inquiries, and suspects were identified. Three men, aged 23, 25 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle and taken into police custody.
“Following a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident, all three men were released with no further action.”
Burtwhistle went into more detail on the incident on socials, explaining that the trio were taken away in handcuffs and “locked up” for several hours – 15 hours, according to SamHam (Samuel Imie).
All three individuals deny causing any damage to the racecar, even despite users sharing clips from the livestream footage captured for the Red Bull online Content on the day that many argue incriminates them, or at least sounds like it – we’ll let you watch and decide for yourselves.
Ginge himself went on to detail that ridculousness of the situation, explaining how he was effectively detained for watching someone else climb into the vehicle.
He’ll be dining out in this one for some time, you can be sure of that.
He’s literally a brands dream isn’t he 😂 so quick and smart with it
Featured Images — Soccer Aid/angryginge13 (screenshot via Twitch)/Samham (via X)
Sport
Manchester United’s new signing Diego León has been labelled ‘like no other’ in his position
Danny Jones
While most eyes in Greater Manchester were understandably on the music industry over the last week, in the sporting world, Man United confirmed their second signing of the summer transfer window and in a crucial position: Diego León.
The Paraguay youth international has already represented the country’s under-20 side nine times, not to mention making 33 senior appearances for his former employers, Cerro Porteño.
At just 18, most would expect the young defender to slot into the United academy set up, but many are already predicting him to break into the first team very quickly based on his career thus far.
Only time will tell, of course, but there seems to be a lot of buzz around him already.
We are delighted to announce the signing of defender Diego Leon, subject to registration.
After making his debut as a 17-year-old, acting as a late replacement for an injured member of the starting XI, he scored the winning header in a 1-0 victory to finish his first game with a flourish and scored again later that week.
Not a bad way to announce yourself.
Since then, he registered another two goals from defence and, in terms of who he models his game on, León has regularly cited former Real Madrid fullback and retired Brazilian international Marcelo.
It’s this kind of dynamism and bombing on down the left flank that both he and, no doubt, head coach Ruben Amorim will be hoping he can bring to his wingback system, and given their lack of depth in that particular position, Diego León could find opportunities in a shifting Man United side soon enough.
Marcelo also made his debut for Madrid at 18.He won 25 trophies in his career.Credit: Elemaki (via Wikimedia Commons)/Кирилл Венедиктов(via soccer.ru)
Speaking on his move to Old Trafford, the youngster said: “This is what every kid dreams of. I invite you all to dream. I’m a dreamer.” A rather fitting stadium to move to, in that case, don’t you think?
The deal for the left-back was actually agreed back in January (with full confirmation still pending prior to proper registration), and Cerro Porteño are reported to net around £7 million including add-ons, with around £3.3m already paid to seal the transfer.
Further fees are said to depend on his first-team United performances, which, although not guaranteed right away – as seen with the likes of fellow recent arrival, Sékou Koné – supporters will be quietly keeping their fingers crossed they come quickly.
Danny Jones -
7th July 2025 
