Ricky Hatton had the two toughest nights of his career against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Hatton has won multiple championships in his native light-welterweight division across his career.
His most famous night came at home in Manchester when he forced Kostya Tszyu to retire on his stool in between the 11th and final round of their fight back in 2005. Despite going into it as the underdog, Hatton’s pressure and relentless punching took its toll on the Australian, who surrendered his IBF and The Ring Magazine world titles in a historic night for British boxing.
Hatton defended against Carlos Maussa, Luis Collazo, Juan Urango and Jose Luis Castillo before testing himself at the very top level with a trip to Las Vegas in December 2007 to take on Mayweather.
After a bright start from the Brit, ‘TBE’ took control and finally finished the contest with a devastating check hook by in the tenth round.
After rebuild wins over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi, Hatton went back to the US in 2008, this time once again to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and again it ended in agonising defeat for ‘The Hitman’, who was caught early in the second round by Pacquiao and never recovered.
After one more loss in 2012, Hatton called it a day and retired with a record of 48 fights and 45 wins.
Speaking to Froch on Fighting, he was asked who would win had the two have met in their prime.
“I think Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao did knock me out in two but I think I had too many rounds on the clock at the time. But I think Mayweather, the referee did give him a bit of help [against me] but he was something else. It was the first time I sat down in the changing rooms and thought wow, he was good him.”
Mayweather and Pacquiao did, of course, come together back in 2015. After 12 rounds, it was Mayweather who had his hand raised, but neither man was picked by Hatton as his toughest night.