Hatton regrets Olympics

Hatton, 29, turned professional in 1996 rather than remain an amateur, which would have allowed him to box at the 2000 tournament.

Now he is within sight of retirement, he will never get the chance to fulfill that ambition.

"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-based fighter takes on Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday as he returns to light-welterweight following December's welterweight defeat to Floyd Mayweather.

Hatton is a two-weight world champion and after topping the bill in Las Vegas, admits his remaining goals are are to fight at the home of his beloved Manchester City, headline at Madison Square Garden and avenge the defeat against Mayweather.