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Nick Parkinson
For Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, the greatest moment of his boxing career was the night it all began – 19 years ago, in 2005, against Kostya Tsiu.
Reflecting on his career ahead of his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (June 6-9) in Canastota, New York, the 45-year-old Hatton cited defeating Tsiu to win his first world title as his biggest highlight.
Hatton was a relentless figure at England's Manchester Arena, moving in and out of range and landing relentless punches to Chu's body. At the end of the 11th round, his trainer Johnny Lewis pulled the Russian, who lives in Australia, from the bout in a stool. Hatton was the IBF junior welterweight world champion and fought six of his next nine fights in the United States, taking his career to a new level.
Despite coming into the fight as an underdog in front of 22,000 home fans, Hatton dominated the more experienced Chu, who was ranked third in the pound-for-pound rankings at the time behind Floyd Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins.
“People were saying if I beat Tszyu it would be one of the greatest wins ever by a British boxer,” Hatton told ESPN. “Looking back, I think it was my best win ever and it opened the door for me to fight in the United States. He was world famous, but to me, Americans were asking, who is this fat kid from Manchester who beat Kostya Tszyu on a chair?”
It was a bout that lived up to the expectations of the fans and captured the hearts of boxing fans in the UK and around the world (Chew was also a huge star in Australia at the time), with Hatton putting in a tireless and brilliant performance.
“When I was growing up, I had the WBU title, but it wasn't a major title and I was a little weak in my defense so I got cut all the time,” Hatton said, “so a lot of people assumed Tsiu would win.”
“But it was because I believed in myself. I never stopped believing and when I fought Kostya Tszyu, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, I always believed I would win.”
Hatton had been out of action for three years since being stopped in the second round by Pacquiao in May 2009 while battling depression and drug and alcohol addiction.
Hatton also cited his losses to Mayweather (2007) and Pacquiao as some of the best moments of his life, in part because they were the best fighters in the world.
“Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather were the highlights. I was second but they were the best in the business at the time,” Hatton said. “I suffered those losses afterwards but I'm happy now and it's fun to talk about them now.”
Fighting in Manchester meant a lot to Hatton and representing his hometown was one of his goals, and he remembers three fights in particular that had it all.
“Battle at the City of Manchester Stadium [against Juan Lazcano in 2008] Fighting Paulie Malignaggi [2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas]and Noel and Liam Gallagher [of the band Oasis] Taking the belt into the ring was also a big deal. I always wanted to be world champion, I always wanted to support Manchester City, I loved Oasis and I achieved all of that in my boxing career.
“Stop [Jose Luis] Body shot by Mexican Castillo, known for his body shots [in Round 4, in Las Vegas] It was another good match. I beat him at what he does best.”
Hatton will also be remembered as a boxer with immense popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. His self-deprecating humor was the polar opposite of the foul-mouthed boasting and name-calling that often accompanied his pre-fight preparations. Before his fight with Malignaggi, he even walked to the ring in a fat suit and robe with “Fat Man” written on the top of the hood, as a joke about his sudden weight gain between bouts.
Hatton was an exciting, pressing fighter with a string of spectacular knockout victories. In November 2005, Hatton was in a dangerous position with cuts above both eyes in his title unification bout with Carlos Mausa in Sheffield, England.
“I was winning the fight, but everybody was worried about the cut,” Hatton told ESPN. “When I hit the left hook to end the fight, my feet left the floor. [in Round 9, by KO]If he had gotten up from that blow, I would have walked out of the ring.
Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs) ended his career with a knockout loss to Viacheslav Senchenko in November 2012, three years after being stopped by Pacquiao.
Hatton won belts at junior welterweight and welterweight, but perhaps his greatest achievement was his popularity and connection with the fans: An estimated 20,000 fans traveled from England to Las Vegas to fight Hatton against Mayweather.
“You dream of fighting in Las Vegas and you never think it's going to happen,” Hatton said, “but it did for me. I grew up watching guys like Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali on tape when I first laced up the gloves.”
“I never imagined the day would come when my name would be inscribed alongside them in the Boxing Hall of Fame. It's honestly unbelievable. There aren't many British fighters in the Hall of Fame so to be inducted is incredible.”
Hatton said that after his loss to Pacquiao in 2009 and before his comeback in 2012, he had been addicted to alcohol and drugs and had considered suicide, but that he received treatment and his mental health improved. He now manages fighters and gives motivational speeches.
“I'm glad I didn't kill myself when I was struggling because I would have missed out on a lot if I hadn't,” Hatton said.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is experiencing emotional distress, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or suicidepreventionlifeline.org .
