Ricky Hatton, the former boxing champion, has dismissed the prospect of an exhibition fight with Floyd Mayweather, citing unresolved grievances over their past encounter and doubts about the event’s feasibility.

In a recent interview, Hatton expressed reluctance about a potential exhibition rematch with Mayweather, stemming from their contentious bout in Las Vegas back in December 2007. Despite giving Mayweather a tough challenge before being stopped in the tenth round, Hatton remains critical of referee Joe Cortez’s handling of the fight, accusing him of hindering his ability to engage effectively against the undefeated Mayweather.

“I wouldn’t need Mayweather to sell out a fight, but if it was with Floyd then without doubt the tickets would have gone,” Hatton remarked in an interview with Prime Casino. “Although I don’t know if an exhibition would work between me and Floyd, I don’t know if there’s too much under the table and too much bad blood.”

Hatton’s frustration with the referee’s performance during their bout continues to influence his stance on a potential exhibition with Mayweather. “I was p***** off at the referee in our fight, I thought he was s***,” Hatton stated candidly, reflecting on his disappointment with the officiating.

While acknowledging Mayweather’s legendary status and the potential draw of a rematch, Hatton highlighted the lack of mutual respect and the unresolved issues from their previous encounter as significant barriers to organizing an exhibition match. He contrasted this with his experience in exhibitions with fighters like Marco Antonio Barrera, where there was a mutual understanding and respect.

Despite rumors circulating about a possible rematch between Hatton and Mayweather in 2023, Mayweather has largely focused on non-professional contests against influencers, maintaining distance from former opponents due to health concerns and the potential risks involved.

As both fighters navigate their post-retirement careers, any hopes of revisiting their rivalry in the ring appear slim, with Hatton reflecting on feeling “cheated” years after his bout with Mayweather. The unresolved tensions and contrasting career paths underscore the complexities of organizing high-profile exhibitions in boxing, where legacy, personal history, and financial incentives often collide.

For now, fans of both Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather can only reminisce about their past encounters and speculate on what might have been in a potential exhibition that never materialized.