Ricky Hatton, the British boxing legend, has picked his top three British fighters of all time. The former world champion from Manchester shared his choices during a recent interview on 'Froch on Fighting'.
Hatton, known as 'The Hitman', made his mark in the super-lightweight division with an aggressive, relentless style that won him a strong following, especially in the UK. His career spanned from 1997 to 2012, with several memorable moments along the way.
In 2005, Hatton scored his most famous victory when he became world champion by defeating the undefeated Kostya Tszyu. Just five months later, he unified the title against Carlos Maussa. His career peaked in 2007 when he faced Floyd Mayweather Jr, losing by knockout in the 10th round. Another significant bout came against Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a knockout loss and led to Hatton taking a break from the sport.
When asked about the greatest British fighters, Hatton's first pick was Joe Calzaghe. The undefeated 'Pride of Wales' boasts a perfect 46-0 record. Calzaghe unified the super-middleweight division and won a light-heavyweight title during his career.
Lennox Lewis, often considered one of the best heavyweights of all time, was Hatton's second choice. Lewis, nicknamed 'The Lion', was the last undisputed heavyweight champion until recently. He managed to beat every opponent he faced, though he needed rematches to overcome Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman.
Hatton's third pick was Nigel Benn, who was his hero growing up. Benn is well-known for his rivalry with Chris Eubank Sr in the 90s, which captivated British boxing fans.
During the interview on 'Froch on Fighting', Hatton also touched on current boxing events. He mentioned the upcoming fight between Benn's son and Eubank's son, scheduled for April 26 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Hatton predicted that Benn will come out on top in this bout.
It's worth noting that Hatton's own son, Campbell Hatton, has followed in his father's footsteps and is now a professional boxer himself. The Hatton legacy in British boxing looks set to continue for another generation.
