British legend Ricky Hatton has earned himself a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame following a 15-year career which saw Hatton earn world titles at 140 lb and 147 lbs, amongst other numerous titles. Hatton retired in 2012 following a KO loss to the then-former WBA welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko in the same year.
In the amateurs, Ricky Hatton compiled a record of 73 wins and 7 losses, and counts a win in the ABA as one of the highlights of his amateur career. Turning pro on September 11th in 1997, Ricky Hatton went on to become one of the most prevalent British fighters of his era, and of all time.
Acknowledged as the 11th best European fighter and 5th best British fighter of all time by BoxRec, Ricky Hatton has further managed to win the The Ring Magazine ‘Fighter of the Year’ award in 2005 after beating Australian legend Kostya Tszyu in the same year to win his first world title; the IBF super lightweight title.
He further impressed winning the WBA welterweight title a year later in 2006, and continued on to pave a relevant career with several blockbuster fights including bouts against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao; both to whom he lost to by KO/TKO.
As a professional, Ricky Hatton compiled a record of 45 wins, with 32 coming by way of knockouts or stoppages, and he only lost thrice during his career; with 2 losses attributed to fellow boxings legends Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao.
While Hatton beat a number of reputable contemporaries including American former welterweight star Paulie Malignaggi, Hatton’s best win is generally considered to be his stoppage victory over Kostya Tszyu who suffered a second career loss almost decade after his first loss in 1997 to retire following his match against Hatton.
During the 2000s era, Ricky Hatton was one of the most recognizable British boxers and etched himself in British boxing history with his performances, earning him the same platitudes and respect as other great British boxers including the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank Sr.
Ricky Hatton continues to be active within the sport, now occupying a role as trainer since 2013 and counting several prevalent boxers as his students, including British heavyweight Nathan Gorman and British super middleweight contender Mark Heffron.
Hatton will be inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024 where he will join the class of 2024 (comprised out several other well-known figures and fighters in the sport) to receive this honor.
