Ricky Hatton has made one more iconic ring walk ten years on from his retirement from professional boxing, and the British legend soaked up every second of it.
As they waited in anticipation, the crowd chorused There’s Only One Ricky Hatton. A promo played, reminding anybody who might’ve forgotten just how exhilarating Hatton’s stint in the sport was.
Then, ahead of his exhibition with Marco Antonio Barrera, ‘The Hitman’ walked out in front of his hometown fans to Blue Moon Rising by Supra – an ode to his beloved Manchester City. It wouldn’t be Hatton without some humour, though, and he entered the arena with nurses and a zimmer frame.
𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍! 🌙 🔵@HitmanHatton's special ringwalk one last time ✨ pic.twitter.com/1FPtwpZ4BF
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) November 12, 2022
In the lead up to the fight, Hatton had previously told Sky Sports that the thrill of his entrances is the one thing he misses in retirement.
“My ringwalks are always very special. The ringwalk was the one thing that I miss from boxing. For any boxer when he comes out the changing room and does that walk to the ring, it’s the most nerve-wracking thing. When you retire, that’s the one thing you miss.”
“That adrenalin rush, the roar from the crowd, that nervousness as you’re making your ringwalk. It’s the most nerve-wracking thing of any fighter’s preparation before the fight. But when it’s gone you miss it and I’m going to get the chance to feel it again so I can’t wait.”
It’s safe to say that his arrival delivered for both the fighter and the fans, as all of the memories of the nights that the Manchester man brought to the sport flooded back. It was an emotional reminder of the highs, lows, and all-together thrilling career of one of British boxing’s greatest characters.
Hatton and Barrera will go onto share the ring for eight two-minute rounds in an exhibition bout done properly – much more about safely showcasing skill rather than knocking lumps out of one another.