Ricky Hatton Exclusive: Concerns for McGregor and Fury’s Retirement

British boxing legend Ricky Hatton shares his worries and concerns for the likes of Conor McGregor and Tyson Fury when the time comes for their retirement as he reveals the struggles

Speaking to Prime Casino, Hatton said:

• I worry for Conor McGregor and Tyson Fury when the time comes to retire: I became depressed when it was my time !
• McGregor’s body will fail him if he continues his wild lifestyle

I worry for McGregor and Fury when the time comes to retire, I struggled with it

That’s exactly why Conor McGregor still wants to fight, he’s a little bit like me and Tyson Fury. 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. 

I didn’t want to retire. I didn’t want to no longer hear the song ‘There’s only one Ricky Hatton’. Some people can cope with retirement, I couldn’t. I used to go to boxing matches at the Manchester Arena and I had to leave a couple times because the minute I could hear the raw of the crowd I’d start getting teary eyed. It was horrific and I went through a horrific depressive time. 

Conor McGregor’s body will fail him if he continues his wild lifestyle

I wasn’t doing good things to my body and I wasn’t doing good things to my mind. 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 three years off going to the museum, or going for Sunday afternoon walks over the hills.

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.