IBF world light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton could become his own worst enemy if he continues to let his weight balloon in between fights, according to Sugar Ray Leonard.
Leonard, a former world champion of five different weights, believes Hatton cannot maintain his impressive high standards if he keeps up his current penchant of indulging himself after bouts.
Hatton is known for his all-action style in the ring, but his love of fast-food and alcohol outside it is quickly becoming another rather unwanted trademark.
'The Hitman' himself insists he knows his body and is capable of achieving his career goals despite his lifestyle, but some pundits and former fighters are beginning to question his philosophy.
He looked far from his destructive best during his penultimate win over Luis Collazo and also struggled to impose himself last time out against Juan Urango, despite being back at his favoured light-welterweight division.
Hatton's next fight looks set to be against Jose Luis Castillo, but Leonard fears he will eventually pay the price if he does not make drastic changes to his current regime.
“Ricky has been doing it pretty much all his life and it seemed not to bother him,” Leonard told Sky Sports News.
“But I think what happens is that eventually it catches up with you because, as you get older, you can't continue to abuse the body in that way.
“You can't yo-yo your weight because you need to stabilise it.
“For Ricky Hatton to continue to be successful, at some point he will have to stop that yo-yoing because it will eventually hit you or catch up with you one day when you don't want it to.”
