Conor McGregor has opened the door to an exhibition clash with boxing legend Ricky Hatton - who returns this weekend.
The British boxing legend who has not fought since retiring in 2012, will take to the ring this weekend in an exhibition outing against Marco Antonio Barrera at the AO Arena in his hometown Manchester. Hatton has stated that he intends for his appearance to be his last hurrah for his huge fanbase to catch him fighting again by following in the footsteps of retired American star Floyd Mayweather.
UFC star McGregor has experience in the boxing ring having fought Mayweather in a professional contest back in 2017 which he lost, and has frequently spoken of his desire to return to the squared circle. In another huge hint, the 34-year-old responded to a tweet from Hatton's agent Paul speak which highlighted fans asking for a fight to be staged between the pair.
McGregor tweeted: "Wouldn’t that be something." He is currently working on making a comeback in 2023 but has made sure to document his frequent boxing training throughout his rehabilitation programme. His only boxing fight is by far the biggest revenue he has generated during his career, with the fight bringing in around $650 million after becoming the second highest-selling pay-per-view in boxing history.
It could be anticipated that a fight against Hatton would do extremely well with audience figures, particularly on domestic shores given both carry huge fanbases in the UK and Ireland. Hatton himself fought Mayweather during the prime of his career, and when the rise of exhibition fights began he immediately confirmed he would be open to offers.
McGregor has already stated this year that he would consider a return to the boxing ring but only after finishing his story in the UFC where he rose to fame. "Boxing is my first love in combat sports," McGregor told Sky Sports. "I had such a great time the last time I was out there. Obviously, my return will be in the octagon for UFC. That story is far from over, in fact it's just being written. It is just the beginning but boxing, for sure, I will grace the squared circle again in the future."
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Reports indicated earlier this year that McGregor was in talks for a second clash with Mayweather for 2023, with the boxing legend even confirming the intentions to host a contest in the Middle East. "I want to go out there this weekend and have fun, then I have another exhibition Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023," Mayweather told the Daily Mail.
"We don't know if it's going to be an exhibition or a real fight. But there's been talks of both. I would prefer an exhibition. So, guys like Conor McGregor and guys that don't really hit hard such as YouTubers or UFC guys, I don't really mind colliding with those kinds of individuals."
