Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton

One of boxing's true superstars, former two division world champion Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton has been packing arenas around the world since his early days as a pro.  A relentless force in the ring whose pressure and body punching has broken down quality fighters for years, Hatton turned pro in 1997 after a stellar amateur career and he hasn't looked back in the over eleven years since.

Richard "Ricky" Hatton was born in Stockport, England on October 6, 1978 but was brought up in Hyde. His father put him into family business of carpet trading after his school, but young Hatton cut 3 of his fingers and he was removed from the job.

Although Hatton came from a line of football stars, Hatton never became fully interested in the sport. Instead, the young athlete found he preferred boxing to soccer, which he took up at a local club in Hyde, Greater Manchester. From the age of ten, Hatton was training several times a week in the ring. Ricky Hatton's Training and First Days of Boxing

At the age of 19, Hatton entered the world of professional boxing. Since that time, he has shown the world just how well a British boxer can do. He has ultimately brought new acclaim to the sport in his home country and gathered a fan following around the world. Although Hatton may retire in the near future, for now he is still a top contender in the world of boxing.

Although Hatton did not follow in the path of his football playing father and grandfather, he remained a passionate supporter of the Manchester Football Club. In fact, his entrance music into the ring is the club's theme song, "Blue Moon". Hatton attends every game he can when not training for upcoming fights. He is also good friends with several professional football players, like Wayne Rooney, who have been seen carrying Ricky Hatton's belt into the boxing ring.