Ricky Hatton says Conor McGregor “not being very kind to his body”
British Boxing legend and former world champion Ricky Hatton recently spoke with Prime Casino about a number of topics to include former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor.
McGregor was supposed to return last weekend at UFC 303 but was forced out of the bout against Michael Chandler due to an injury.
Hatton, known not only for his in-ring stardom but also out of the ring substance abuse issues, spoke about McGregor’s lavish night lifestyle and the reason he wants to continue to compete.
You described the roar of the crowd as addicting before, is that why Conor McGregor continues to fight?
“That’s exactly why Conor McGregor still wants to fight, he’s a little bit like me and Tyson Fury,” Hatton said. “We all play off the crowd in our own way and I think when they retire that will be the regret – not getting that euphoria and feeling from the crowd or being told that you’re the best in the world. I struggled and I worry for Conor and Tyson for when the day comes when they’ve got to hang them up. I wonder what they are going to do.
“If Conor’s coming to the end now and he’s not long to go, I would start setting the wheels in motion now for what they’re going to do after they retire. Just a few ideas to have in the pipeline because there’s nothing worse than finishing and sitting on your settee.”
You were out for a similar time that Conor’s been out for – what is the effect on the body?
“I wasn’t doing good things to my body, and I wasn’t doing good things between my mind,” Hatton said. “I don’t know, but my guess is Conor’s probably done the same in the three years he’s had off, not being very kind to his body. My body, sooner or later, turned around and said, ‘I know you’ve been doing this all your career, but it can’t do it anymore’.
“But some people come back stronger, I’m just thinking because of Conor’s mentality and Tyson’s mentality and my mentality being similar, we’re not going to spend them three years off going to the museum, or going for Sunday afternoon walks over the hills.”
