Hatton's career was filled with impressive achievements. He became a world champion in Manchester with an 11th round stoppage victory over Kostya Tszyu, winning the IBF and The Ring super lightweight titles. He went on to defend his titles against Luis Collazo and Jose Luis Castillo.
Hatton's first major defeat came at the hands of Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, losing by a 10th round KO. He bounced back with a comeback win in Manchester and a victory over Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas.
However, it was Hatton's fight against Manny Pacquiao that left a lasting impression. The bout, which took place in Las Vegas, ended in a 2nd round KO loss for Hatton. He described it as a "disaster".
When asked about the best fighter he faced, Hatton said:
"I would say Manny Pacquiao. Just his speed. Southpaw. Obviously, he hits very hard. Floyd Mayweather also was very good but the more and more I see Manny Pacquiao I'm shifting to him. And Kostya Tszyu, he was a deadly, deadly puncher."
Hatton didn't stop there. When questioned about the hardest hitter he faced, he again chose Pacquiao:
"Quite obviously I would have to say Manny Pacquiao. He just seems to be getting stronger as he moves up in weight."
These comments highlight Pacquiao's exceptional qualities - his speed, power, and southpaw style. They also show how Pacquiao's reputation has grown over time, even surpassing that of Floyd Mayweather in Hatton's eyes.
Hatton's final fight came in 2012, three years after the Pacquiao bout, when he lost to Vyacheslav Senchenko. Since retiring, he's taken on the role of a trainer. Recently, he's been analyzing the upcoming fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.
Hatton's career was marked by memorable fights against some of boxing's biggest names. His victories over the widely heralded Australian Kostya Tszyu and his battles with Mayweather and Pacquiao have cemented his place in boxing history. Now, years after hanging up his gloves, Hatton's respect for Pacquiao's skills continues to grow.