One in a trillion...

Enjoy Ricky Hatton while you can, says Adam Smith, because he is a rare breed, in and out of the ring...

The Hitman is a mate and a true great, says Adam Smith

I have known Ricky Hatton for the best part of 15 years. In many ways I have grown up with him, the fighter on one side; the reporter and commentator on the other. As Ricky developed through his boxing education inside the ropes, I was learning my trade as a broadcaster. Sometimes we come together in tandem; sometimes we have to keep our respective trades slightly separate. My job after all is to call a fight, and there can be no bias associated with that. What is beyond doubt is that Ricky Hatton is a one-off. He's far more than just an exceptional boxer who has thrilled us through 46 fights; he's a rounded and wonderful man. We at Sky have been at virtually every Hatton fight and he is the most outstanding sportsman to work with, bar none. The access we get to fighters has always been good - they need the cameras to further their careers - but the material we have been allowed to get with Ricky has been nothing short of sensational. He is a consummate professional who is just so approachable, so easy-going, and so down to earth. These are many of the reasons why the Hitman is much-loved in Britain. He regularly drew 20,000 crowds at his old fortress, the MEN in Manchester, and that was before he fought for the main world titles. My Mum Veronica used to pitch up all the time, and my wife Jo, who is not a fan of the sport, is a Ricky Hatton fan. Most of those people who go have probably met him; many have had a beer with him. Ricky's old trainer Billy Graham first introduced us and told me this short, stocky 16-year-old kid was going all the way. Hatton was an excellent amateur at the time, but you hear this kind of thing in camps all over the country. I listened to Billy though, and I watched Ricky hit a bag at the old Phoenix camp. He was a boy, but he looked so strong. I remember his debut on a freezing Autumnal night in Widnes. From the North West to New York for his second fight in the dreamy venue of Madison Square Garden. In those early professional days, we spent much time together, and I remember Ricky driving me around his home town of Hyde one night. He told me that no matter what happened, and how successful he may become, he would never change as a person. He'd keep the same friends like 'The Duck' for life, and his feet would remain firmly on the ground. Over a decade later, Ricky has more than kept to his word. Wealth and fame change so many, but I think Ricky will always be the same - and I think it would ruin him if people thought otherwise.

Wonderful

Hatton's extremely tight-knit family are crucial to this. His wonderful parents Carol and Ray have brought Ricky and younger brother Matthew up so well. The Hattons still go on their annual cruises - loads of them board the ship - and family means everything to Ricky. They all live minutes apart in Gee Cross, and Ricky dotes on his young son, Campbell. He's a great dad, and is soon to be husband to his lovely lady Jennifer. Even though he's not officially 'family', Paul Speak deserves a particular mention for being so loyal and extremely helpful to Ricky over the years as his friend, agent and constant side-kick. Plenty of folk ask me what the key is to the 'Hatton Attraction'. Well Ricky is one of the lads. He loves his pies, loves a pint, adores his football, and appeals to the good old British public. The Manchester City link gained him a following, but many, many Manchester United supporters also flock to him. That cross-over tells you how special Ricky is. Ricky has a special mate too, his name is James Bowes (pictured). I don't think it's much of an exaggeration to say that James lives for Ricky. When Ricky met James, he was very ill; he was born with hydrocephalus - water on the brain - and it appeared terminal. Ricky let James carry his belts to the ring, and what ensued was inspirational stuff. James kept going and going, and proudly performed his job at the City of Manchester stadium before his Homecoming last year. He has not been allowed to fly in the past, but it looks like he could be joining Ricky in Vegas for this one - that would be fantastic. Wherever James is, he will be living every punch with Ricky. So will millions more back home.

Global

Hatton's rip-roaring all action style, with his ferocious body shots, intense aggression and burning desire to win, has of course been the major factor in his global success. The night when it all came together against Kostya Tszyu was electric; there was no way Hatton would be denied, and everyone who was there - from the ringside names like Russell Crowe to the MEN cleaning staff - will never forget when Ricky rocked at 2 o'clock in the early hours of June 5, 2005. All that after he had started his day with a full fat British fry-up! That Sunday afternoon, he was donning his awful shirt at The New Inn pub (pictured), where the Hatton's used to live, and where Ricky is a regular on the Guinness! Then he jetted off on holiday to Tenerife. I had invited him to my wedding days later in London, but thought he would be away. Ricky was there - and I will never forget that. A true mate. Hatton may have been widely criticised for his lifestyle, and his yo-yoing weight, but it has worked for him. His monk-like existence in pre-fight training is exemplary - that frenetic style honed on the body belt - a large, simple black cushion that Billy Graham used to suffer through. Kerry Kayes mastered making the 10-stone weight limit, and now Floyd Mayweather Snr and Lee Beard are trying to re-load the arsenal and re-sharpen those skills deep into his fabulous career. They are re-juventating Ricky, and calling for some of those clever old displays like his outclassing of Ben Tackie, and his clinical dismantling of Ray Oliveira. The loss to Floyd's son was crushing for Ricky. He really, really felt he would win and many tears were shed in the following weeks. The fact that 35,000 Brits had made the journey to Vegas, and 58,000 came to his homecoming fight against Juan Lazcano, is proof of how popular Ricky he is.

Inspirational

Now the chance to topple the pound-for-pound king comes again almost certainly for the final time. Manny Pacquiao is a sensational fighter whose southpaw speed, power and commitment to the sport have been inspirational. There are huge dangers for Hatton - but it is at his weight this time. Mayweather was a big welterweight and a defensive genius. Pacquiao is naturally smaller, plus easier to engage with and hit. Ricky Hatton has never ever lost at 10 stone, and providing he doesn't let Pacquiao get into an early rhythm, this fight is there to be taken. It would be an amazing shot in the arm for British boxing, after the recent retirement of the brilliant Joe Calzaghe. If Ricky does lose, it will really hurt him. He has though got so many options. He has worked with us, and would be a terrific commentator or analyst. He has become a manager and promoter, and would make an excellent trainer. A new Hatton gym is being opened shortly. Ricky is also a naturally funny stand-up comedian and after-dinner speaker. The world will still very much be his oyster. Yet Ricky is a boxing historian. He grew up watching Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns; he wants to secure his legacy, and if he could beat Pacquiao and tempt Mayweather into a re-match, his finishing touches could be spectacular. One thing's for certain. Enjoy him while he's here, because it could be a lifetime before another fighter as rounded and real as Ricky Hatton appears again. What is definitive is that Ricky is my friend first and foremost, and I am very fortunate to call him that. We have been through a great deal together, both in and out of boxing, and long may that continue. It's been a pleasure and a privilege covering Ricky Hatton all the way through. Thousands of interviews - not once has he said no. One in a trillion. Although he just wants to be one of the boys...