Ricky Hatton is one of the most popular British boxers to ever lace up the gloves.
The former world champion had famous nights against the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. While they ended in KO defeats, they are remembered for the army of fans Hatton took to the US.
Hatton’s best victory came at home in Manchester when he stopped Kostya Tszyu in June 2005 in a huge upset to become IBF super-lightwegith ruler.
With his own place in the Hall of Fame now secured, speaking to Speedy Hire ‘The Hitman’ Hatton was asked who he thinks is the best boxer of all time and named Sugar Ray Robinson without hesitation.
Robinson fought 201 times in all after turning professional in 1940. He famously went on a 91-fight unbeaten streak, which is one of the longest of all time. He lost 19 times but managed to knock out 109 of the 174 men he beat.
He was a world welterweight title holder from 1946 to 1951 and also reigned at middleweight before finishing up at light heavyweight. Along the way, Robinson became the first man to win a divisional world title five times and is often ranked as the best pound-for-pound fight to ever lace up the gloves. What defined his style was his rhythm in the ring. He could fight in any style, whether all our brawling or more slick and considered boxing, all behind a stiff jab.
Robinson only ever received a count in the ring once, and was never knocked out, but was pulled from a fight by his corner against Joey Maxim, so remarkably has just one TKO on his record, with his other losses all coming on points.
