Ricky Hatton is a true British boxing legend who remains hugely popular with fans.
Manchester’s ‘The Hitman’ is widely regarded as one of the best super-lightweight fighters of his era. He fought from 1997 to 2012 and in that time became a global star due to his aggressive, relentless fighting style and his strong connection with his avid followers, particularly in the UK.
After settling into the professional game in the early 2000s, he became world champion in 2005 with his most famous victory against the undefeated Kostya Tszyu. Five months later, Hatton would unify against Carlos Maussa.
His career reached its peak when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr in December 2007. Although he lost by KO in the 10th round, he went on to another huge fight with Manny Pacquiao. That one also ended in a knockout loss which led Hatton to take a break.
He returned to the ring in 2012 only to be knocked out by Vyacheslav Senchenko and sent into retirement for good with a campaign that will be long remember by British boxing fans.
Speaking to Froch on Fighting, Hatton, whose son Campell is now also a pro boxer, was asked to name his top three British fighters.
“I’d say Joe Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn as my hero coming through, I wanted to be like Nigel.”
Nigel Benn’s rivalry with Chris Eubank Sr is part of what made him the star he was in the 90s, and that carries on on April 26 when both men’s sons come to blows at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s a fight Hatton thinks Benn will win.
Joe Calzaghe, the undefeated ‘Pride of Wales,’ retired with a perfect 46-0 record, having unified the super-middleweight division and won a light-heavyweight title, solidifying his place as one of Britain’s greatest champions.
Until very recently, Lennox Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion. ‘The Lion’ beat every man he stepped through the ropes with – Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman at the second point of asking following shock defeats – and retired regarded as one of the best heavyweights of all time.
