Hatton retired from boxing in 2012 but has recently admitted he would consider a whopping offer to take on the YouTuber-turned-boxer
British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has revealed he would fight Jake Paul – if he was offered £25million.
Hatton, 46, is a former world champion who retired in 2012 following back-to-back knockout defeats to Manny Pacquiao and Vyacheslav Senchenko. Despite calling it a day, the Brit remains devoted to the sport and has since worked as a boxing promoter and trainer.
Nearly 13 years on since his last fight, Hatton admits he would come back to fight someone like Paul – providing the price is right. The ‘Problem Child’ has made a real name for himself in boxing since making his professional debut back in 2020.
The 28-year-old left many fans enraged after he agreed to step into the ring with 58-year-old boxing icon Mike Tyson. Paul would go on to coast to a victory on points. Over the last few months, many legendary names have made the return to the ring. Oliver McCall, 60, recently defeated Gary Cobia and there has been talks of a potential clash with Shannon Briggs, 53, next. Hatton has weighed in on the rumours as well as naming his price for a clash with the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
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Speaking to Betway, Hatton said: «If you remember Oliver McCall, and no disrespect intended, but he was having a breakdown when he fought Lennox Lewis all of those years ago. He was walking into the ring crying. If there’s anybody that should be kept away from the ring… I don’t think Oliver McCall is the best person to put forward (and fight again). Is he going to come to the ring crying again? It’s worrying. He was like that in his prime.»
Hatton believes that fighters would happily accept a challenge, but believes it should be taken out of their hands by governing bodies. «If you say to a fighter, and that is what we are, we are fighters and if somebody says ‘fight this guy and we will give you a few million pounds to fight’ then the fighter will give it ago,» he continued. «That is what we do because we are fighters and want a challenge, but I think it should be taken out of our hands by the governing bodies and the medical world. If somebody said to me, ‘fight Jake Paul for £25m,’ what am I going to say, no? If you get offered £25m then why wouldn’t I?
«I shouldn’t do it but that’s what you do as a fighter. If you say to Mike Tyson after everything, he has done that you will get £10m to fight Jake Paul then what is Mike going to say? He won’t say no, and it needs taking out of his hands. That’s why fighters get hurt because they can’t say no.»
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Hatton is not the only retired British boxer who is keen on taking on Paul in the ring. Recently, Carl Froch revealed he would consider coming out of retirement to face either Paul or Darren Till. Both Froch and Paul have traded barbs over the years. Back in November, following Paul’s victory over Mike Tyson, the American hit back at Froch after the Brit claimed he could beat the ‘Problem Child’ with one arm tied behind his back. Seven months on, and Froch has once again had his say on the young American.
Speaking on his official YouTube channel. the 47-year-old was asked if he would come out of retirement if ‘the money was right.’ «I have retired 11 years ago. I did retire because I could not be a***d anymore. The desire was gone. I still think I can get in there with most of these jokers that think they can fight like Jake Paul… especially. Jake Paul is f*****g useless. You know what I think about him! I am not interested in boxing. I do not need to fight. I do not need the fame. I am already famous enough.»
The British star ripped into the ‘Problem Child’ as he believes it would be an ‘easy fight.’ «I think if the money is there for someone like Jake Paul, I would think ‘it is such an easy fight’. I would not really need to train for it… turn up and do my thing,» he continued. «You never know, Jake Paul might actually give me a decent fight… I doubt it.»
