Ricky Hatton carried fans to a wonderland they will never forgetpublished at 16:47 BST 14 September
Luke Reddy
BBC Sport
British boxing broadcasters Steve Bunce and Mike Costello once told me a story about the magnetism of Hatton.
In the sprawling corridors of a Las Vegas hotel, the pair were on air, discussing Hatton’s imminent fight while British punters lined up to gain entry into the weigh-in. The weigh-in, on this occasion, was the next day.
That’s how much pull the Mancunian generated, overnight queues were necessary.
Bunce and Costello approched punters in the queue, live, on air, and asked them if they had a personal Hatton story.
Fan after fan told the 5 Live audience of how they were linked to Hatton. A friend, a relative, drank at the same spot, grew up in the same road. They all shared one thing – connection.
That one word encapsulates ‘The Hitman’. No British fighter since – not Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury or Amir Khan – has come remotely close to creating what Hatton did in the US.
The boy from the Hattersley Council estate was flanked by his own travelling army and every current and future British fighter who laces up gloves will dream about having what he had.
His career was remarkable. From insane weight cuts to the calibre of legendary opponents it took to stop his momentum. And yet it is that connection that will endure.
It was not uncommon to be around Mexican and US boxing stars who would end chats or an interview with, “Say hello to my good friend Ricky Hatton”. They knew what he represented, they’d stood and admired his pull, they wanted in on the love.
There will indeed only ever be one Ricky Hatton. He carried fans – all of whom felt they knew him – to a wonderland they will never forget.
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