The most important decision Ricky Hatton faces will not take place on the canvas, but within himself. He remains unsure whether he will retire , but has not ruled out a return to the ring. To his credit , he is still among the best fighters in the world . At 30, his legacy includes a victory over the legendary Kostya Tszyu and five successful defenses of his 140-pound world title, then losses to the two best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.

Though losing to Mayweather and Pacquiao carries no shame, Hatton will be better remembered if he beats one of the fighters who defeated him. History is friendliest to the fighter who can come back and beat his equal.

"If I decide to come back. it would have to be a fight to excite me. One person on my hit list is Floyd Mayweather," Hatton told BBC radio. "I'd rather get back in the ring with him, have a go, and get knocked out again, because I can say I tried."

Anyone who saw the beatdown Floyd put on Hatton might be surprised to learn that The Hitman wants another shot at the faster, younger, better-skilled Mayweather. But styles make fights, and Hatton feels his was hindered that night by an over-officious referee.

"I thought I was hard done to lose in the first fight. The referee didn't let me impose my style on him," he said. "I'd rather go in there and find out whether it is just me feeling sorry for myself, or whether I was actually treated a bit harshly. That's what being a champion fighter is all about. Normally you would run a mile (to avoid) people who have knocked you out, but I want to get back in there again with him.

"It's only been six months since the Pacquiao fight. I'm just sitting back and having a rest, waiting for my feet to start tapping again," Hatton added. "Once I've had a good rest and I've recharged my batteries, I might give it another go, possibly after Christmas or in the new year. You need to have the hunger to come back. I'm sure it will and I'm sure I'll give it another go."

His father Ray Hatton, says Ricky is strong-willed and won't let anybody make the decision for him. Assistant trainer Lee Baird says Hatton fights for his fans and is motivated by the feeling that he's let them down.

  "They come out in the thousands for him and I think that affects him mentally. It hurts him," Baird said. "But it's all about what he wants to do. Don't carry on fighting for the fans. You've got to think of your health, as well."

Of course, living at the top of a mountain of boredom can stir the soul. No surprise, then, if he finds himself in revolt against the pressures to call it quits.

But good decisions come from experience. In his thinking can be found the ambition of a young man who can only envision a bright future for himself. Big mistake! It is a rare state of body and mind  that graces a man of 30 with the wisdom and foresight to override the will of the heart.

Some suppose a heart like Ricky Hatton's must be put through a cauldron before any change can come. If boredom  awakens in him the resolve to meet Mayweather again, then the order of the day for Ricky's corner is to bury all doubt. But the excuses Hatton has made for himself don't heed the reality that he was so soundly defeated by his previous two opponents.

Hatton has ascended the boxing summit, where the limitations of his straight forward aggressive style, coupled with a lack of proper head movement, made for disaster. Of course, fighters are never free to contemplate potential injury at the hand of their adversaries.

A more prudent order of the day is for Ricky to review the films and make no more excuses to himself .

Much of his motivation stems from a need to represent the Briton's hardscrabble working class -- a false responsibility that sits on his shoulders like a neon sign that reads "pointless," endangering his well-being.

His road to maturity need not be impeded by the affliction of Dementia Pugilistica, a chronic brain syndrome developing from too many concussions.  What good can come from finding himself, at midlife or older, without faculties to enjoy it. Or were his sensibilities beaten out of him by Manny Pacquiao?  It's wise for those closest to Ricky Hatton to protect him from himself.

Ultimately, Hatton's health is more important than his pride, his place in boxing history, or the need to please his fan base.

But it's not our decision; it's up to Ricky.

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