Former World Champ reckons it’s massive for British boxing, but says he understands why Deontay Wilder won’t step aside
Ricky Hatton believes the heavyweight world title unification clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must happen for the good of the sport in its blue riband division.
The former world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight this weekend likened being in lockdown “to similar to being in training camp”, Hatton revealing that he is fitter and lighter than when it started six weeks ago, while also opining that had he and Amir Khan ever met in a ring – which would have been another epic all-British blockbuster had it gone ahead – he believes that he would have stopped Khan, his fellow Lancastrian.
“We are friends and I’m glad the fight never happened. I look at his fight with Marcos Maidana, I didn’t punch as hard, but I was a better mover,” explained Hatton. “As long as Amir would have run, I would have run after him. I’m glad it never came off. I was finishing my career, and he was getting going. He might have put the finishing touches to mine, I might have halted his. If we were in our prime, the Ricky Hatton that beat Kostya Tszyu would have caught him.”
Hatton has strong views on the heavyweight scene. When Joshua regained the WBA, IBF and WBO championships avenging his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr last December and Fury claimed the WBC belt in his rematch with Deontay Wilder in February, it created the prospect of an all-British heavyweight unification showdown between the two giant athletes. Although Fury is currently contractually obligated to a trilogy meeting with Wilder and Joshua has a mandatory title defence of the IBF crown against Kubrat Pulev, former two-weight world champion Hatton told your correspondent on Saturday night’s TalkSport Fight Night boxing show that “there’s no way it cannot happen”.
“These fights sometimes don’t happen because of egos and rival promoters, but there is that much in the pot, and because of public demand, how can it not happen. We can’t allow this not to happen. We need all the parties to work together to give Wilder the right amount of money. It’s about no individual being too greedy so it can happen.”
“I’ve been a fan of the game and a fan of British fighters past and the present. I remember years ago we would have two British lads competing for the title – but I had never heard of them. Now we have two of the best with different styles and different personalities. There’s no way it cannot happen.”
However, Hatton, who has been a valued member inside Fury’s camp at fights in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, believes that if he was in the position that Wilder stands, he would force a third fight.
“Absolutely, it makes sense for Wilder to take the third fight [and not take a step-aside fee], that’s what I would do if I were in his position.”
Wilder had reigned as the WBC champion for over five years before his ignominious seventh round defeat to Fury in February in Sin City.