Hatton moved by Ali visit

Emotional: Hatton greets Ali

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Ricky Hatton said he was moved to tears when Muhammad Ali paid him a visit at his new gym in Manchester on Wednesday.

The streets surrounding the Hatton Health & Fitness complex in Hyde came to a standstill as hundreds of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the 67-year-old former three-time world champion.

Ali, who is on a brief tour of the UK to raise money for his charities, looked frail as he emerged from a car to shake hands with Hatton, himself a former multiple world champion.

And after showing Ali around the gym, posing for photographs and exchanging gifts, Hatton said the chance to meet 'The Greatest' had left him humbled.

"It was very emotional," said Hatton. "We had a picture taken with Campbell, and he (Ali) was told this is Ricky's son.

"He raised his hand and hugged him and was trying to say something. It really brought a lump to my throat, my eyes were welling up at one point."

Determined

Ali, who suffers from Parkinsons Disease, has rarely been seen walking unaided in recent times but was nevertheless determined to greet 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," said Hatton.

"That's a boxer through and through, the boxer's mentality and a champion's mentality.

"It's just sensational. 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.

"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."

Ali is making appearances at a series of dinners to raise money for charities including the Muhammad Ali Centre in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky.

Future

Meanwhile, Hatton said he had still to reach a decision about his future in the ring.

The 30-year-old has been focusing on his work as a promoter since his second-round knockout against Manny Pacquiao in May.

He said: "I've been very busy with the gym opening and the promoting - I've got some great fighters coming up - and I've had a couple of holidays.

"I've had a lot of fights and sometimes when you've been in this game as long as I have, running in the morning, training in the afternoon, dieting, I've reached the stage that I've had enough now, I want a bit of a rest.

"Once I've sat back and recharged the batteries, my feet might start itching again. That's where it will come from. But after that heartbreaking defeat, all I'm doing is sitting back."