Ricky Hatton knows what it takes to get inside the ring with Manny Pacquiao after facing the Filipino star in 2009.
Hatton was stopped in two rounds by a prime version of Pacquiao, but it looks like the eight-weight world champion could be making a comeback with speculation linking him to a fight later this year against Conor Benn.
Benn fought last month and was victorious on points against Peter Dobson in New York, but he’s keen to land himself a bigger fight.
Pacquiao is someone who fits that into that category and although inactive since 2021, Benn is ready to accept the fight.
Hatton has had his say on the current environment in boxing where fights that cross eras are taking place more regularly and he’s not a fan.
“Boxing is not like it once was. I was one of the fighters in the last era of champions, and I’m not mentioning other champions aren’t champions, but I am saying me, Joe Calzaghe, Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, and Carl Froch,” said Hatton when speaking to SpinBet.
“I know we are in the entertainment business but now it’s just gone absolutely barmy. I’m not pointing fingers at fighters in the new era or blaming anyone because we all have families and boxing is a short career and you have to put food on the table and pennies in the bank.
“I’m not pointing fingers at Manny Pacquiao or Conor Benn, but I think it’s gone crazy because anyone can fight anyone now.”
Live on DAZN: Watch William Zepeda vs. Maxi Hughes on March 16