“Why Would You Not Want To Give Him A Slap”: Former World Champion Interested In Fighting $849,000,000 Worth Cristiano Ronaldo

It’s safe to say Cristiano Ronaldo is the face of soccer. But what happens when a professional boxer poses interest in fighting him? The fighter is none other than retired British Boxer Ricky Hatton. In 2012, ‘Hitman’ retired from boxing with an impressive 45-3 record, facing legends like Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Kostya Tsyzu.

However, at 44 years old, he made a comeback for an exhibition match against another boxing great, Marco Antonio Barrera, last year. This return hasn’t dampened Hatton’s enthusiasm for a good fight. Interestingly, he has expressed a desire to square off against soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo. In a conversation with Mighty Tips, Hatton, a devoted Manchester City fan, revealed Ronaldo as his dream opponent.

Why does Hatton want to fight Cristiano Ronaldo?

In the interview with Mighty Tips, Rick Hatton talked about two athletes he admires, Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Duran. He said fans love Ronaldo for his skills and looks. Hatton joked about wanting to challenge Ronaldo but admits catching him would be hard. He also mentioned Ronaldo’s signature move, the step over. As ‘Hitman’ said, “Cristiano Ronaldo…He used to play for Man Utd, United fans love him he’s good looking so why would you not want to give him a slap? I’d have to catch him first, but he was certainly some player, wasn’t he? I hope I don’t have to do as many step overs on that ice like he does!”

Furthermore, Hatton called Roberto Duran his all-time favorite. He imagines fighting Duran in the ring. He thinks it would be a tough but dream match for him. Both Ronaldo and Duran are his dream opponents for a match in Manchester. Hatton said, “Roberto Duran was my favourite of all time. It’d have been interesting to have been in the ring with him and find out how good he was. It’d have been a very painful night in the ring but I think Cristiano Ronaldo or Roberto Duran would be my two dream matches at the City of Manchester.”

However, apart from this, Ricky has recently grabbed headlines as he raised his voice for the mental health of boxers.

Why is ‘Hitman’ advocating for mental health support for professional boxers?

Ricky Hatton, a retired British boxer, advocates for improved mental health support for professional boxers, especially after retirement. From 1997 to 2012, Hatton had a successful career in the light welterweight and welterweight classes. He won several world titles, including WBA (Super) and IBF.

However, Hatton struggled with mental health and substance abuse after retiring. He now uses his platform to spotlight the mental health issues that many retired boxers face. In a Sky Sports interview, he shared his personal experience. He talked about the emotional toll of going from 40,000 cheering fans to complete silence after retirement. Moreover, Hatton stressed that this change can devastate anyone, regardless of their career achievements.

Hatton calls for support systems for boxers at all skill levels. He thinks the boxing world needs to do more to help fighters adjust to post-career life, both mentally and financially. In another interview with MEN, he gave more details on how to tackle these issues. Ricky urged men to be more open about their feelings, pointing out that society often discourages such openness.

Read More: ‘Hatton vs McGregor’: Fans Go Berserk as 44-Year-Old Legend Ricky Hatton Looks Impressive in Latest Training Clip Ahead of Marco Antonio Barrera Boxing Return

Ricky Hatton isn’t just eyeing dream matches with sports legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Duran. He’s also fighting a crucial battle outside the ring: advocating for mental health support in boxing. Hatton knows firsthand the emotional toll retirement can take and urges the boxing community to step up. Whether he’s dreaming of stepping into the ring with soccer stars or pushing for systemic change in his own sport, Hatton remains a fighter at heart.

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