How time flies.
Was it really thirteen years ago that Ricky Hatton made his 10th defence of his WBU light-welterweight title?
Well apparently it was.
On this day back in 2003 a very enthusiastic Manchester crowd acclaimed their hero as his opponent Aldo Rios was forced to retire at the end of the ninth round.
Ricky Hatton was one of those fighters that had a huge fan base, working class lads used to follow Ricky across the pond, whenever he fought in the US, in their thousands.
Back home his bouts were sold-out with tickets being snapped up in a matter of hours.
Britain is probably the only nation that supports its boxers in this way, cheering them on to greater heights.
Last Saturday Jorge Linares, in beating Anthony Crolla, witnessed first-hand the passion felt for the sport in this country and immediately offered Crolla a re-match in the UK with Linares admitting the passion and size of the crowd that makes fighting in the UK such an attractive proposition.
Long may it continue!
The UK, the ONLY Place to Fight
