Ricky Hatton would be open to sparring with Jake Paul but admitted he would pass up getting in the ring with strongman Eddie Hall.
Hatton fights for the first time in almost a decade on July 2 when he challenges fellow legend Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition bout. 'The Hitman' insists the fight is a one-off and won't be the start of a comeback.
A lot has changed since Hatton's last professional fight in 2012, with YouTube personalities becoming some of the most talked-about names in boxing. Hatton is unsure if fighters like Paul and KSI are good for boxing, but admits the sport has to keep up with the times.
“I don’t know if it’s good for boxing, but I think we’ve all got to come around to the [new] way of thinking,” Hatton told talkSPORT. Our game, boxing, years ago we moaned there were too many belts and too many weight divisions. Now, it’s mixed sports and mixed weights.
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"I wouldn’t want to spar with Eddie Hall for Gods’ sake, but Jake Paul, I’d do a few rounds with that k***." Former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall made his boxing debut in March, being outpointed by fellow strongman Thor Bjornsson.
Paul, 25, has been fighting professionally for two years and has continued challenge himself by facing tougher opponents, last knocking out ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley. 'The Problem Child' is pencilled in to fight Love Island star Tommy Fury on August 13.
Hatton also took aim at the current politics of boxing, criticising fighters who miss weight and still get paid. If you don’t make weight you don’t fight for the title, but you still get your payday and your fight – what a load of b*******. I think we are in the entertainment business and if you go a little bit too old school you miss the boat these days," he added.
Nicknamed 'Fatton' during his accomplished career because of the weight he piled on outside of training camps, Hatton has lost 40lb in two months ahead of his return. The Brit said he was inspired to make a one-fight comeback after watching Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr's exhibition clash in 2020.
Speaking with The Telegraph, Hatton revealed the diet changes that helped him shed off almost three-stone. "It's about exercise and diet, knowing to eat the right things. I used to be in the pub a few nights a week. Now I’m not drinking, I’ve had a couple of glasses of wine over the last couple of weeks in the house."
