Ricky Hatton helps bare-knuckle boxer, 53, to victory in debut bout with important advice

Ricky Hatton helped inspire a bare-knuckle boxer to a debut victory at the age of 53.

By his own admission, former heavyweight star Dominic Negus is more infamous than famous due to an eventful life in and out of the ring. His last professional gloved fight was a controversial loss to Audley Harrison in 2002, which saw him aim a headbutt at the Olympic champion.

Negus acknowledges that his out-of-ring antics hindered his chances of real success in gloved boxing. However, having turned over a new leaf in recent years, he is eager to correct his past mistakes, via the Daily Star.

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This includes joining the successful BKB promotion for bare-knuckle fighting. Initially scheduled to debut last year, but delayed due to his opponent pulling out, Negus finally returned to the ring, defeating Stanlee Wilson in the second round at a packed Indigo arena at London's O2.

Aware that time isn't on his side given his age, Negus is keen to return to the ring later this year. He has received encouragement from old friend Hatton, who donned the gloves again in 2022 at 44 to fight Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition match.

"I was a class fighter [in his prime]. I got involved in the silly things when I should have concentrated on my boxing career," admitted Negus.

"I was the real deal, but I was too militant and did it my way. I wasted my career, now I'm 53 and playing catch-up. This is why I'm doing it now, to exercise those demons that play up in my head. I now want to prove I'm not a wally.

"I was speaking to Ricky Hatton the