Ricky Hatton has invited Conor McGregor to his gym. The former two-weight world champion, a darling of British boxing, is now enjoying success as a trainer and manager, and he believes McGregor could still have a big say if he ever decided to return to boxing.
McGregor tackles Dustin Poirier for the third time this weekend at UFC 264 in his preferred setting. The eagerly-anticipated bout sees McGregor fighting for his top-level career in the age as he aims to avoid a second straight defeat against his great rival.
In 2017, McGregor took part in his first professional boxing contest when he was outclassed and stopped by Floyd Mayweather. If a loss to Poirier signals the end of his run in MMA, then Hatton believes there’d be many people prepared to welcome him to boxing on a full-time basis.
“At the end of the day, he will get the opportunities because of his profile,” said Hatton in his Metro column. “He’s a promoter’s dream. There won’t be a shortage of people trying to sign him and get him on their shows.
“I think with Conor, he would turn around and say: ‘Listen, I appreciate my age and appreciate I am coming in later than normal so let’s not p--s about, get me one big fight to get me going and let’s get stuck in.’ That’s what I think he would do given the fighting man he is.
“I’ve never met Conor. It would be nice to meet him and I’m sure we’ll cross paths later down the line. Everyone is welcome in my gym. I’ve lads up and down the country coming in sparring so having Conor stick his head through the door would be an absolute pleasure.”