Floyd Mayweather Jr. Urges Ricky Hatton To Retire

Floyd Mayweather Jr. believes that Ricky Hatton should bow out of boxing after the Englishman's disappointing defeat to Manny Pacquiao earlier this month.

Mayweather, who beat Hatton by technical knockout in December 2007, believes it is time the Manchester-born “Hitman” thinks about preserving his health and looks to new goals outside the ring:

“I think Ricky Hatton’s career was over after our fight,” Mayweather told Sky Sports News. “When I faced him he was a great competitor, but the best man on the night won. He worked his whole life to get to that point and he came up short, and it’s hard to then keep getting to that level.“

“Boxing is a brutal sport. One shot can ruin you’re whole career,” Mayweather continued. “I think, personally, he should try to go out and get the young champions that are up and coming in the UK, bring them under Hatton Promotions and help them progress to the best of their ability.”

Mayweather also rejected suggestions that his father (and Hatton’s coach for the Pacquiao fight), Floyd Mayweather Snr, had been to blame for Hatton’s third-round defeat:

“My dad gave Ricky an excellent gameplan, he just didn’t go out there and execute it,” the undefeated fighter said. “The gameplan was to go out, be composed, establish the jab and be smart. He didn’t do that.”

Mayweather was in London to promote his upcoming return fight with Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18th. While the American gave little away about his preparation for that bout, he did admit that he was glad to be back in training:

“I miss everything about the sport. The crowd, the weigh-in, the people. Just everything about the sport of boxing,” the 32-year-old said. “The upcoming fight is such an incredible matchup in styles. He’s Mexico’s numero uno, and before I left this sport I was at the top, never had a blemish on my record, and now I’m back and I’m still on top. It’s exciting.”

Mayweather also admitted that money had played a part in his decision to come back:

“Your legacy lives for ever, but if you make enough money your great-great-great grandkids are taken care of for ever,” he said.

With around two months to go before the Marquez bout, Mayweather is stepping up his preparation. Boxing fans in London will have the opportunity to watch the former middleweight champion when he undertakes a public training session at Canning Town’s Peacock Gym on May 22.