Ricky Hatton’s name is etched firmly into British boxing history.
The Manchester-born former world champion won 45 of his 48 professional fights – though is soon making a comeback – building a legacy on aggressive pressure, sharp body punching, and a connection with fans few could rival. His 2005 win over Kostya Tszyu for the IBF super lightweight title was a watershed moment, setting the stage for his rise to global prominence.
Hatton would go on to claim a second world title at welterweight, defeating Luis Collazo in 2006, before headlining in Las Vegas against Floyd Mayweather and later Manny Pacquiao.
Though he suffered defeats in both bouts, Hatton’s willingness to face the sport’s elite enhanced, rather than diminished, his standing and he remains one of the most admired figures in British boxing.
When asked who deserves the title of the best of all time from these shores, Hatton bypassed the likes of the country’s most accomplished heavyweight, Lennox Lewis – a former undisputed champion who defeated every man he faced, though some at the second time of asking, including Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and Vitali Klitschko.
But for Hatton, the standout is Joe Calzaghe.
The undefeated Welshman retired in 2009 with a 46-0 record and world titles at both super middleweight and light heavyweight. Known for his speed, adaptability, and stamina, Calzaghe unified titles in a dominant domestic run before defeating top-level opponents like Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. on the world stage.
His unblemished record and longevity, Hatton argues, put him at the top of the British pile – a view shared by many across the boxing landscape.