Boxing icon Ricky Hatton says he's been on a strict diet ahead of his exhibition fight against Marco Antonio Barrera in an effort to get fit.

The 43-year-old ring legend revealed he has followed the diet ahead of his return to the ring because he wanted to get himself in the best fighting shape possible.

Speaking to British Boxing TV, Hatton explained that before he started his intense training regime which has seen him lose 40lbs in two months, he drank up to '12 cups of tea a day normally'.

But a few months before he is set to step foot inside the ring, the pride of Manchester decided to give himself a kick up the backside and adopt a 'sensible' way of living in an effort to get fit.

He said: "I like pints of beer, it has been well known, but you can't do that.

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"I think that is the main thing with the weight. If you go out and have pints seven days a week you won't be walking around with a six pack. I think it is just sensible, eating the right things small and often and regular workouts.

"Some days I have thought 'can I have a rest day?' and then I have thought I will take my foot down on the pace and go for a run to keep a sweat on.

Ricky Hatton pictured in training camp

"I do two workouts a day so my metabolism is always racing. Cut it down on treats, I have 12 cups of tea a day normally but it has to just be a one-off. I think the best thing is the willpower, and a nutritionist is only good as the lad that advises him and I think it is all down to your own personal discipline."

Hatton, 43, also revealed that he wants to give his fans something to remember after a torrid few years amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And while he has received several other offers as well, he insists that this is purely a one-off.

He continued: "I am doing this for fans who struggled being locked up with Covid.

"I got a call and was asked if I would come back to do this for the fans who have been locked up for ages after Covid.

"Covid has been tough for me, for everyone. I want to inspire people who have had mental health problems, too.

"They can look at me and say, ‘He struggled and now look at where he is’, so they can do it too.

"We all know what a great fighter Marco was, no one needs to tell me, but to actually go in there and share the ring with him and find out first-hand just how good he is it's going to be a dream come true."

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