Ricky Hatton has been told that making a ring comeback is a mistake, by the man who spent most of his career calling him out.

The 33-year-old has confirmed he is coming out of retirement, three years after he last threw a punch.

But according to domestic welterweight rival Junior Witter, who consistently tried and failed to lure Hatton into a bout, the move is a bad one.

“I don’t see what is in it for him,” said Bradford’s former WBC world champion. “You have to come back for a reason and I don’t see what that is.

“Ricky achieved what he did in a brilliant career but he is not the type of kid who likes to stay fit and in shape.

“Ricky likes to go out for a beer. His lifestyle is just not suited to be a professional boxer and it is a mistake for him to come back.”

Paulie Malignaggi, beaten by Hatton in the past, has been touted as a possible opponent, but typically, Witter would like to be in the frame himself.

“Ricky doesn’t need to prove anything,” he added. “He had a great career, did remarkably well out of it and should leave it at that, unless there is a purpose behind him coming back – like fighting me.

“We never boxed because Ricky never wanted it, even when I was the WBC world champion and he held the IBF and WBA belts.

“If he came back to fight me then I could see the point in it.”

As well as Witter, Amir Khan’s manager has suggested his fighter would one day be willing to fight his British rival and friend.

Asif Vali is quoted as saying: “It would be huge. It could sell 100,000 at Wembley and everyone would want to see it. A fight between Ricky and Amir further down the line would be huge.”

Vali went as far as to suggest he had spoken to his fighter about the possibility of a showdown with Hatton.