A working-class fighter who grew up above a pub on a council estate and worked for a time in the family carpet business, Hatton’s modest background and humble, good-natured personality endeared him to a hardcore set of fans from the very start of his career.
“When Ricky came along, we immediately felt like we had a connection with him, because he was so down to earth, so open and honest”, says Jamie Hind, a 47-year-old fan who lived in Cheshire and Manchester during Hatton’s career.
“You just felt like he you knew him and couldn’t help but be carried on the wave of enthusiasm for him.
“Me and my pals were fortunate enough to see him fight a fair few times. We always made sure to make a proper night of it whenever he was fighting, and he gave us some great memories.”
Hatton built up a stellar record in the light-welterweight ranks, winning 41 consecutive fights in a career that began in 1997 in Widnes, and the bright lights of America were irresistible.
Hatton fought and beat Colombia’s Juan Urango and Mexican Jose Luis Castillo in Paradise, the neighbourhood that contains many of the famous Vegas tourist hotspots.
His reputation as a star attraction in Nevada was growing, as was his fanbase.
Armed with a 43-0 record, Hatton challenged global superstar Floyd Mayweather for his welterweight belts in 2007, this time at the MGM Grand.
This was in an era before Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury headlined stadiums.
It was Hatton’s time, and it was witnessed by Hatton’s people. Many planeloads of them.
A pre-fight weigh-in was attended by over 5,000 people, many of them travelling Hatton fans who serenaded him with chants of “Walking in a Hatton wonderland” while relentlessly booing pound-for-pound all-time great Mayweather.
Hatton was a Manchester City supporter, but he united Mancunians.
“I’ve never seen anything like that weigh-in,” says Sean McManamon, a fan from Urmston who attended the Mayweather fight with his father and a friend.
“The Americans were stunned by the amount of people and the noise. It was deafening.
“We paid about £700 for tickets to the fight – they were right at the back, but we just had to be there.
“Ricky was a proper Mancunian. We’re big United fans, but you put your football allegiance aside for Ricky Hatton.”
Read the full article here