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<\/p>\nRicky Hatton has slammed boxing and urged the sport\u2019s biggest stars to \u2018pull their finger out\u2019 as YouTube events threaten to take over the sport.<\/p>\n
The former world champion sent a warning to boxing\u2019s biggest and best to put on the fights that fans want to see as YouTuber influence threatens to take centre stage. The boxing world has opened the door to influencers who look to push their fame further and even take on the sport\u2019s professionals and former world title winning fighters.<\/p>\n
Undefeated five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather fought Logan Paul in an exhibition bout, whilst his YouTuber brother Jake was defeated by Tommy Fury \u2013 who now prepares to take on fellow internet celebrity KSI on Saturday, October 14.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Ebanie Bridges staying in contact with Conor McGregor after 'getting people talking' <\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Tommy Fury ate \u00a3300 worth of cheesecake after Jake Paul win \u2013 and put on three stone <\/b><\/p>\n
Speaking to Mighty Tips, Hatton said: \u201cWe\u2019ve been waiting for so long for AJ-Tyson, Tyson-Usyk and for Crawford-Spence. Now we\u2019ve had Crawford vs Spence and now Fury vs Usyk has been made and there\u2019s a trade fight in Wood and Warrington. This is good for boxing \u2013 don\u2019t point the fingers at YouTube boxing, boxing has got to pull its finger out. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo see that fight (might) be made in January, obviously Tyson can\u2019t take his eye off the ball in Saudi Arabia. This is positive for the sport \u2013 I don\u2019t see why both arts can\u2019t exist. Boxing will always have their fans, MMA will always have their fans but we are in the entertainment business. I don\u2019t mind these fights happening as long as the real boxing fights are taking place \u2013 that will help boxing.<\/p>\n
Do you think boxing s under threat from YouTubers? Let us know in the comments section.<\/i> <\/b><\/p>\n
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\u201cThankfully the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world \u2013 the first one since 1999 \u2013 has to be good for our sport, I didn\u2019t think it was going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hatton, who has trained and been ringside with good friend Tyson Fury, last fought as a professional in 2012 when he was knocked out by Vyacheslav Senchenko after a three-year exodus from the ring. But Hatton returned to the ring last year as he took on fellow retired pro Marco Antonio Barrera in an eight-round exhibition fight.<\/p>\n
Exhibition fights in the sport have become common place of late with Fury set to take on MMA star Francis Ngannou in the \u2018Battle of the Baddest\u2019 with the two giants coming toe to toe on Saturday, October 28.<\/p>\n