RICKY HATTONย has criticised the arrangement of a bout between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, despite being an admirer of both fighters.
It was announced earlier in the week that 40-year-old former multi-weight world champion Mayweather would come out of retirement to put his 49-0 record on the line against mixed martial arts champion McGregor in Las Vegas on August 26.
The Irishman has never boxed and critics have questioned the integrity of a contest against one of the sportโs all-time greats.
IT’S OFFICIAL!!! https://t.co/ND07Ixugs2 pic.twitter.com/JpqFW5WbcB
โ Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) June 14, 2017
Hatton, who was stopped by Mayweather in the 10th round when the pair met in 2007, predicts the American could win every round, although accepts there could be plenty of entertainment.
โI cant say Iโm a fan of it,โ Hatton told BBC Radio 5 liveโs Sportsweek programme.
โIโm a fan of UFC, a fan of McGregor โ heโs got character, heโs exciting, entertaining, value for money. I hope I donโt upset any Irish fans or Conor, but I canโt get excited about this fight one bit.
โItโs going to be great entertainment โ thatโs the most complimentary I can be about it. Itโs two different sports.โ
Mayweather will reportedly be paid over 100million US dollars (ยฃ78million) for the contest, which will be broadcast on pay-per-view networks across the world.
Hatton places no blame on the fighters for accepting what is likely to be a nine-figure purse, but believes McGregor will struggle to make an impact once the bell sounds.
THE FIGHT IS ON. pic.twitter.com/KhW0u3jRft
โ Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 14, 2017
โWhen I look at some of the people Mayweather has beaten like Saul Alvarez โ heโs not going to be as big a puncher as Alvarez, and he couldnโt lay a glove on him. I feel embarrassed to say this but Iโd be very surprised if (McGregor) wins a round.
โI hope he does well. I hope he wins. Thereโs no doubt whose corner Iโm in, but if youโre asking me to be brutally honest I canโt see anything other than a shut-out for Mayweather. I think it could be a 12-round onslaught, to be honest with you.
โBoxing and UFC have to take the blame for it โ I donโt think you can blame the fighters because itโs going to be a stack of money.
โGood luck to the boys. Whoโs going to turn their back on that? I just canโt say Iโm a fan of this. Iโm fans of both sports but theyโre their own individual sports and they should stick to their own.โ