The boxing world wasn’t exactly enthralled when it was announced that Floyd Mayweather would be fighting Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa, in Tokyo on New Year’s Eve.

The excitement levels dropped even further when it was revealed that the fight would have no bearing on the record of either fighter, there would be no judges, and it would last nine minutes, in the form of three three-minute rounds.

Ricky Hatton, who fought and lost to Mayweather back in 2007, has had his say on Mayweather’s decision to fight Nasukawa, saying it could affect his overall legacy.

“It’s not all about money, it’s very high on all of our priorities and there’s no point in saying it isn’t because it is,” Hatton told the Daily Star Online.

“But he’d be happier getting £80 million than making his fans happy, with a kick-boxer or something like that.

“‘Well this is a joke, I don’t give a sh*t I’m getting £80m’, that’s Floyd.

"So when you look at legacies, he should be mentioned with the Leonards and the Robinsons and people like that. But will he be loved like them? No, not a chance.”

Although it was already clear, Hatton confirmed, in no uncertain terms, that he would not be tuning in to watch the bout.

“Watching him fight a kickboxer? I’d probably be doing something more important like doing my hair.”

Hatton does not dispute the undefeated American’s ability, but he questions whether he should be driven by something other than money if he wants to go down in history as the best.

”Well his legacy is already cemented on his ability, I think nobody would question that,” Hatton stated.

“But you know, if you want to go down as an all-time great, your greatness and your all-time greatness is judged on more than just your ability.

"I don't think anyone is going to dispute his ability, but Floyd will go where the money goes, it's what he's said it's all about money, it's all about this.”

With regards to the sport in general, the former light-welterweight champion believes that fights like this are not having a positive affect on boxing.

“We were moaning not long ago that there were too many belts and too many weights, now we're fighting catch-weights, catch-sports.

“It's making a mockery of our sport, I think, somewhere the pound has to be put to the back and say look what's best for the sport."