Thierry Henry throws a harder punch than former world champion Ricky Hatton... but is it a fair fight?

The pair had a go on a punching machine for Sky Sports

(Sky Sports)

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will go down as one of the greatest players ever... but could he have been one of the great boxers of his generation?

Probably not.

But one thing is (sort of) for certain - Henry can throw a harder punch than former WBC and IBF Light Welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton.

Yep, a former footballer is a harder puncher than a man who has stood toe-to-toe with both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Ricky Hatton scored just 852 - less than Henry's 911 (Sky Sports)

(Sky Sports)

The evidence comes from Sky Sports who have been inviting people to take on their punching machine. Hatton, 36, posted a score of 852 before Henry stepped up to the mark and walloped in a score of 905 and then 911.

Should we be surprised? In his prime Hatton, who stands just 5ft 7in, fought in the welterweight and light welterweight divisions, mostly fighting at around 10/11 stone, scoring knockouts in 32 of his 45 wins.

In comparison, the former France international has a huge height and weight advantage over the former champ.

Henry stands at 6ft 2in and in his prime would have weighed around 12stone, making him a super middleweight, a full three weight classes above his hypothetical opponent.

It's not a fair fight.