Hatton, known as 'The Hitman', made his mark in boxing by winning the IBF, Ring Magazine, and lineal super-lightweight titles in 2005. He later moved up to welterweight and grabbed the WBA title by beating Luis Collazo. Hatton's popularity saw him build a huge fan base in the UK, often taking large groups of supporters to his fights in the US.
When asked to name the greatest British fighter ever, Hatton didn't hesitate to choose Calzaghe.
Joe Calzaghe ended his career with a perfect 46-0 record, including 32 knockouts. He became a two-weight champion and held the distinction of being the longest-reigning champion at 168 pounds. Calzaghe's list of opponents reads like a who's who of boxing, including names like Chris Eubank Sr, Mikel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, Jeff Lacey, and Roy Jones Jr.
Calzaghe's southpaw style made him a tricky opponent for many fighters. He trained under his father, Enzo Calzaghe, throughout his career. The Welsh fighter's popularity was evident in his ability to fill Cardiff's Principality Stadium multiple times.
"Charles Brewer hit me the hardest," Calzaghe once said, reflecting on his toughest opponents.
While Calzaghe faced and beat many top fighters, there's one match-up that never happened - a bout with Carl Froch. The potential fight between the two British super-middleweights has been a topic of heated debate among boxing fans for years, with speculation about why it didn't materialize and how it might have played out.
Hatton's own career saw him face some of the best in the business. After his breakthrough win against Kostya Tszyu in 2005, he moved up to welterweight and captured the WBA belt from Luis Collazo. Hatton's biggest fights came in the US against Floyd Mayweather in 2006 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009, both ending in stoppage losses for the Manchester fighter.
By naming Calzaghe as the greatest British fighter, Hatton has added his voice to the ongoing discussion about boxing's all-time greats. It's a testament to Calzaghe's skills and achievements that he's earned such high praise from a fellow champion.