The summer of 2005 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Ricky Hatton’s career and the moment he cemented his reputation among the world’s elite.
On 5 June of that year he went into a contest against Kostya Tszyu with a 38-0 record and holding the WBU light welterweight belt but still Hatton was seen as the underdog.
Boxing critics gave him no chance against Tszyu who was considered one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
So it came as a surprise to everyone, except his most loyal supporters, when he defeated the Australian in an 11-round fight at the Manchester Arena in front of 22,000 fans.
He finally had his hands on a world title: The International Boxing Federation and The Ring junior welterweight championship.
“From 2001 to 2005 Ricky Hatton changed the face of British boxing,” said boxing commentator Steve Bunce.
“He had 12 sell-outs at the Manchester Arena and made that his home, or citadel.
“As he has admitted, he wasn’t the best British boxer in history but he was, without a doubt, the most popular.”