LUKE LITTLER has paid tribute to late boxer Ricky Hatton, saying he has watched some of his most famous fights on YouTube.
It was announced on Sunday that popular Hatton, who fought 48 times professionally at either light welterweight or welterweight between 1997 and 2012, had died at the age of 46.
REUTERSBrit boxing legend Ricky Hatton tragically passed away last weekend[/caption]
AFPThe beloved former two-weight world champion was found dead by his manager aged 46[/caption]
GETTYDarts sensation Luke Littler has paid tribute to the late Hatton[/caption]
Though he was an ardent Manchester City fan, he was one of the few personalities who managed to cross the city divide and was respected by Manchester United supporters, too.
Warrington-based Littler was born in January 2007 and therefore never saw Hatton at his peak.
He was too young for the clashes with Floyd Mayweather, Paulie Malignaggi and Manny Pacquiao, which drew large crowds of Brits over to Las Vegas.
Littler, the reigning darts world champion, was not even born when Hatton enjoyed his career-defining fight in June 2005, when he beat Australian Kostya Tszyu at the MEN Arena to claim the IBF light-welterweight title in his 39th successive pro win.
Yet Hatton’s legacy in the ring – plus his friendliness with punters when he was having a pint at a local pub in Manchester – echoed through the years.
And 18-year-old Littler, who is a big fan of the sport, is well aware of what Hatton achieved with his fists.
Speaking at the launch of a new Target pop-up shop in Manchester, The Nuke said: “What I do, when I’m bored at night, I just go through old boxing fights and stuff like that.
“And then my dad was talking about it. The fight against Pacquiao and Mayweather where he’s winning it. The ref was splitting it up.
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
By Jack Figg
Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008
In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing.
Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss.
Luis Collazo, June 2007
Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job.
But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory – earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather six months later.
Kostya Tszyu, June 2005
Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester.
And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ.
Eamonn Magee, June 2002
Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat.
But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds – showcasing his trademark grit and determination.
Jon Thaxton, October 2000
Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut – not for the first time in his career – to edge out a points win.
It won him the British light-welterweight title.
“Even when we found out (about his passing), I think Chris Dobey and Ross Smith, they both said he was a proper lad.
“I think they said he was at the World Matchplay for years and years on the run, but I never got the chance to meet him. It is sad.
“His fights have been on Instagram, Facebook, everything’s just full of Ricky. It is sad.”
Hatton’s devastated family issued a statement on his passing on Wednesday.
A snippet read: “We are all distraught at the events of recent days.
“To all our knowledge, despite his well-documented struggles, Richard was in a good place.
“He was excited for the future; his bag was packed ready to go to Dubai to promote a comeback fight and he was planning a celebration in Dubai which his beloved girls Millie and Fearne were to be the centre of.
“He was excited that they would see him fight for the first time in person.”
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