Muhammed Ali brought Ricky Hatton to the brink of tears as the boxing legend paid a visit to the British fighter’s gym on Wednesday.
Hatton greeted the former world heavyweight champion with a handshake and a hug as 67-year-old Ali arrived at the gym in Manchester.
Former welterweight and light-welterweight world champion Hatton, 30, said he was humbled by the visit from the US sporting icon.
PHOTO: AFP
“It was very emotional,” Hatton said. “It really brought a lump to my throat, my eyes were welling up at one point.”
The frail-looking Ali, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, has rarely been seen walking unaided in recent times, but greeted Hatton standing.
“I think he was going to come in a wheelchair initially, but then he said, I can’t have Ricky Hatton meet me in a wheelchair, I’ve got to walk in,” the Mancunian said.
“That’s a boxer through and through, the boxer’s mentality and a champion’s mentality,” Hatton said. “I’ve been very fortunate to meet some of boxing’s greatest stars, but I’ve never had the chance to meet the greatest of all.”
“He’s not just one of the greatest boxers of all time, he’s one of the greatest men of all time. He’s made the entertainment side of boxing what it is today,” Hatton said. “Bearing in mind how poorly he is, for him still to come to the gym, raise his hands to the fans and have a picture, that’s why he’s the greatest.”
Hatton has been focusing on his work as a promoter since his second-round knockout against Manny Pacquiao in May and said he was still to make a decision about his future.
“I’ve reached the stage that I’ve had enough now, I want a bit of a rest,” said the boxer known as “The Hitman.”
“Once I’ve sat back and recharged the batteries, my feet might start itching again. But after that heartbreaking defeat, all I’m doing is sitting back,” he said.
The visit was the start of Ali’s tour of Britain as he raises funds for his charities.
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