Ricky Hatton: The Hitman ten

3rd October, 2006

Let's face it: UK sport is full of losers right now. But when it comes to boxing it's a whole 'notha story. Or more specifically, when it comes to Ricky Hatton, that is. Here are ten things you need to know about The Hitman...

1. True Blue: Hatton supports his local team, Manchester City and his old man, Ray, was a Blues player. His entrance music to the ring is the club song, ‘Blue Moon’ by the band Supra.

2. Getting his kicks: He had hoped to be a kick-boxer but he was told that his legs were too short.

3. Unbeaten: At the time of writing Hatton was undefeated with a record of 41 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses.

4. Ring leader:In 2005, legendary boxing mag, The Ring voted Ricky Hatton Fighter of the year – the first British boxer to be awarded the title.

5. Weight issues: The Hitman has moved in and out of divisions throughout 2006. In March he relinquished his IBF belt to face better competition in the Welterweight division. He defeated American Luis Collazo to become the new WBA welterweight champion before moving back down to light welter. He will fight Juan Urango for his old title on January 13th, 2007.

3rd Edge - guilty of creating the Hatton Rap

6. TV star: Having signed a deal with the US television company HBO, Ricky will be hoping that next year they allow him to compete in more than just the one boxing match he's enjoyed in 2006.

7. Best of enemies: In 1995 he fell out with his former promoter Frank Warren after Warren claimed he had a legally-binding agreement to promote the world champion's future fights. Warren dropped his lawsuit against multi-division champion Ricky Hatton and his father Ray this year.

8. It's a rap: He features on a tune by 3rd Edge called 'The Hatton rap'- you can hear the song on his website: chances are you won't be too impressed.

9. Homeboy: He’s still a humble lad who lives five minutes away from his parent's house, in the same area where he grew up. When he won his epic world title bout with Kostya Tszyu he celebrated with a few pints in his local council estate pub.

10. Fry guy: His pre-match ritual on the morning of a fight involves heading down to the Butty Café, round the corner from his home in Hyde, for a fry-up with bacon, eggs, black pudding and other unhealthy stuff. Says the Mancunian: "It's only a superstition thing, but when you get off the scales and you've had your weigh-in it's important that you get your protein and the right things."