Ricky Hatton admits he will always regret never having fought for Great Britain at the Olympic Games. Hatton, 29, turned professional in 1996 rather than remain an amateur, which would have allowed him to box at the 2000 tournament.

“That’s the one thing that when I do hang them up, I will regret - not having the chance to fight at the Olympics,” he said. “It’s everyone’s dream. Some of the proudest moments of your career are when you represent your country for the first time.

“But immediately after the 1996 Olympics I turned 18, so, it was another four years to go and I made the decision to turn professional rather than wait another four years.

“Also, the way I trained, I was more suited to the professional game. I think it was the sensible move but it’s a shame that you are always going to look back and think ’what if?’. It is something I will strongly regret. But I still stand by the decision of what I did, the timing just wasn’t right."

The Manchester fighter takes on Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday as he returns to light-welterweight following December’s welterweight defeat by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Hatton, a former two-weight world champion, says that after the weekend his remaining goals - presuming he wins - will be to top the bill at Madison Square Garden and avenge the loss to Mayweather.

Explore More Sport

• Athletics

• Boxing

• Cycling

• Sailing

• US Sport