Sir Henry Cooper has urged Ricky Hatton to 'call it a day' after his brutal battering at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.
Boxing legend believes game 'catching up' with Hitman
Sir Henry Cooper has urged Ricky Hatton to 'call it a day' after his brutal battering at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.
The 'Hitman' was knocked out in the second round of last weekend's Las Vegas clash and was subsequently taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
British boxing legend Cooper now believes Hatton should retire after suffering the second loss of his career.
"Ricky should retire - he's got the tell-tale signs now," he said.
"When you're like Ricky and you're prepared to take two punches to land one you've only got so many fights in you.
"It's catching up with him now. A couple of years ago this wouldn't have happened but he's been knocked out twice now. It's time to call it a day.
"He's got millions and will live like a lord for the rest of his life, what does he want to keep fighting for?"
Khan view
If Hatton does keep fighting, Amir Khan has been linked as a possible future opponent, but Cooper believes the Olympic silver medalist should develop his career more slowly.
"Khan is a good little mover and nice boxer, but he's rushing everything," he said.
"Not only does he want to be a world champion, he wants to be the best world champion. You can't do it that soon - you have to learn and develop your career.
"Many fighters get paid big money to turn professional, but they can't be as hungry with all that money sat in the bank.
"They come from the middle class these days. Before lads would start boxing to get out of the environment they lived in.
"Anyone who turns professional because they love the game needs watching because they'll end up in a bad way.
"Boxing's a way of earning money to get out of poverty."
