Former two-weight boxing world champion Ricky Hatton has issued a solemn warning to Conor McGregor regarding his current lifestyle, expressing concerns about its potential negative impact on the fighter when he eventually makes his return to the ring.
McGregor has been recuperating from a toe injury sustained during the preparation for his much-anticipated UFC comeback fight against Michael Chandler. The bout was originally set to be the main event at last weekend’s UFC 303. Despite McGregor’s reassurances that he will resume his career once he has fully recovered, Hatton, who has enjoyed an impressive boxing career, has raised doubts about McGregor’s ability to stage a successful comeback after being out of action for over three years.
The primary concern for Hatton pertains to McGregor’s activities during his extended hiatus from competitive fighting. The former two-division UFC champion has been known to indulge in the luxuries and excesses that come with his celebrity status, and this has raised red flags for Hatton. Drawing parallels from his own experience, Hatton likened McGregor’s lifestyle outside the ring to his own three-year break prior to his final professional fight in 2012.
In a candid interview with Prime Casino, Hatton openly shared his perspective, “I wasn’t doing good things to my body and I wasn’t doing good things to my mind. I don’t know, but my guess is Conor’s probably done the same in the three years he’s had off, not being very kind to his body. My body, sooner or later, turned around and said ‘I know you’ve been doing this all your career but it can’t do it anymore’.” Moreover, Hatton expressed his belief that individuals like McGregor, himself, and fellow boxer Tyson Fury do not spend their time off pursuing leisurely activities, stating, “But some people come back stronger, I’m just thinking because of Conor’s mentality and Tyson [Fury]’s mentality and my mentality being similar, we’re not going to spend three years off going to the museum, or going for Sunday afternoon walks over the hills.”
The warning from Hatton serves as a sobering reminder of the impact that an athlete’s lifestyle choices can have on their career and overall wellbeing. McGregor’s approach to his time away from the fight scene has raised serious concerns from a seasoned professional such as Hatton, who has first-hand experience of the consequences of a reckless lifestyle.
It is evident that McGregor’s choices during this period of recuperation will greatly influence his chances of a triumphant return to the Octagon. The caution extended by Hatton reinforces the importance of a disciplined and balanced lifestyle for athletes at the top of their game, delivering a timely reminder for McGregor to consider the ramifications of his actions during this hiatus.
As the Irish MMA superstar continues on his road to recovery, the words of Ricky Hatton serve as a poignant warning to McGregor and a valuable lesson for aspiring athletes. The message is clear: the lifestyle choices made during periods of absence from competition can have a lasting impact on an athlete’s future success.