LONDON – Former world light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton hinted on Wednesday that he could return to the ring next year.

Hatton's future has been unclear since the English fighter lost badly to Filipino Manny Pacquiao in May.

That defeat was Hatton's second in the space of two years after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and it was widely predicted that he would not fight again.

But Hatton, who has 45 wins from 47 career fights, recently made a guest appearance on the WWE Raw wrestling show and admitted the experience rekindled his desire to get back in the ring.

"It was brilliant and I must admit, when I got into the ring and heard the crowd roar, I started thinking to myself 'I've missed this'," Hatton told Sky Sports News.

"Who knows? Next year after Christmas and New Year, and after the holiday I've got booked for January, I might have a serious think about what I'm doing.

"Seeing (his brother) Matthew and all the lads I'm promoting be successful has given me that itch back.

"Hearing that roar and seeing my fighters succeed, I might give it another go."