International Boxing Hall Of Fame

Born Richard John Hatton on October 6, 1978 in Stockport, Cheshire, UK.

Following a 73-7 amateur career, Hatton turned pro in 1997. In 2001 he stopped Tony Pep (TKO 4) for the WBU super lightweight title and reigned until 2004, scoring wins over Freddie Pendelton (KO 2), Eamonn Magee (W 12), Vince Phillips (W 12), Ben Tackie (W 12), Michael Stewart (TKO 5) and Ray Oliveira (KO 10) before meeting IBF king Kostya Tszyu. In front of a raucous Manchester crowd, “The Hitman” scored an upset as Tszyu did not come out for the 12th round. Hatton added the WBA belt next with a 9th round KO over Carlos Maussa and was named The Ring’s 2005 “Fighter of the Year.” He became a two-weight champion with a win over Luis Collazo (W 12) for the WBA welterweight belt in 2006. Wins over Juan Urango (W 12) for the IBO light welterweight belt and Jose Luis Castillo (KO 4) preceded a WBC welterweight title go against Floyd Mayweather Jr. (TKO by 10). Hatton battled back with two wins - Juan Lazcano (W12) and Paulie Malignaggi (TKO 11) - before challenging Manny Pacquiao (KO by 2) in 2009. Inactive for three years, he returned for one more contest, a 9th round loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012.

He retired with a pro docket of 45-3 (32 KOs). One of the most beloved British fighters of all time, Hatton received the MBE (Member of the British Empire) for services to sport in 2007. “The Hitman” now trains and promotes boxers in the UK.