Ricky Hatton admits he is still not feeling the hunger needed for a return to the ring.

Former two-weight world champion Hatton - who has not fought since being knocked out inside two rounds by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas last May - appeared to end speculation he was about to retire in January by announcing his intention to make a comeback this year.

However, since then reports have suggested the 31-year-old is set to go back on that decision and Hatton has confirmed that he has still not rediscovered the "fire in the belly" required to get him back into full training for a fight.

He said: "I don't mind getting beaten by Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr and people like that, but I'd hate to go into a training camp with my heart not fully in it and risk getting beaten by somebody who shouldn't be beating me.

"So until that hunger comes back, that fire in the belly - that is when I will make my decision."

Hatton has been focussing on promoting in the mean time and was speaking in Wigan ahead of his show there on Friday, which is topped by Denton Vassell's bout with Lee Purdy for the vacant Commonwealth welterweight title.

'The Hitman' also has younger brother Matthew - who recently became European welterweight champion - within his Hatton Promotions stable, but asked if he had set a time-limit on making a decision on his own fighting future, he said: "Not really, no.

"One day I might come in the gym and say 'let's give it a go.'

"I'm enjoying my time seeing my mates and my fighters, and my brother winning the European title the other week. If Denton can take this Commonwealth title - that's the reason why I went into promoting in the first place, so I'm enjoying that side of the game.

"It's only been 10 months since the (Pacquiao) fight - I wouldn't really call that retirement.

"But as any fighter will tell you, you have got to have that hunger to carry on with the training, and until that comes back, I'm going to continue what I'm doing."

Juan Manuel Marquez had been touted as a potential opponent for Hatton and it was reported last week that the Mancunian had turned down an offer from Golden Boy Promotions to fight Erik Morales - something he flatly denies.

"If it's been mentioned, it can only have been mentioned by Golden Boy and it has not been mentioned to me," Hatton said.

"I was as shocked as everybody else when I heard it. The fight's not been offered to me, so I don't know what more I can say about it."

Hatton has parted company with trainers Floyd Mayweather Sr and Lee Beard since the Pacquiao defeat, but indicated that he would like to work with Bob Shannon - who has mentored both his brother and Vassell - if he were to fight again.

"I think Bob is one of the best-kept secrets as a trainer," Hatton said.

"I'm making my mind up what I'm going to do, but I can honestly say after being close to Bob, working with him and seeing what he has done with Denton, if I do end up deciding to make a comeback, Bob Shannon will be my next trainer without a doubt."