The late Ricky Hatton once sent a consensus Fighter of the Decade into a sudden boxing retirement, after scoring a major modern-day upset triumph.
A decorated former light welterweight and welterweight champion, Ricky Hatton broke through at the first time of asking when afforded a well-overdue world title opportunity.
And sharing the ring with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and the iconic Manny Pacquiao, the late Stockport star planted the seeds for his infamous showdown with Mayweather two years before their eventual showdown.
Taking out a veteran icon in the process, Hatton turned in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history — particularly in Britain.
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Ricky Hatton’s upset win over Kostya Tszyu
Arriving on the world championship stage back in 2005, Manchester favorite Hatton would face off with Russian-Australian megastar Kostya Tszyu — hoping to land his first-ever world championship success.
A massive force in his native England, Hatton had turned in an untouched 38-0 record before matching with Tszyu.
And in a fight somewhat marred with controversy following both intentional and unintentional groin strikes later in the clash, Hatton would break through in the penultimate round.
Sending Tszyu — who infamously took home a decision win over Floyd Mayweather’s trainer and uncle, Roger Mayweather 10 years prior, into retirement, the Russian failed to answer the bell for the final round.
Recognized as likely the best win of his illustrious career in the sport, Hatton would springboard the victory into a showdown with Mayweather in an infamous trip Stateside.
Ricky Hatton brought 30,000 fans with him for Floyd Mayweather super fight
Considered a sizable challenge to the unbeaten Mayweather ahead of their infamous 2007 showdown in ‘Sin City’, Hatton brought quite the support system with him to North America.
Making his fourth trip to the United States, Hatton challenged for the WBC and The Ring welterweight crowns.
Heralded for bringing in the region of 30,000 travelling UK fans with him for the fight as the country took over Las Vegas for a weekend, Hatton came unstuck in a tenth round knockout against Mayweather who was at the peak of his shining powers.