Boxing
'He is a genuine hero of mine' - Ricky Hatton makes admission on rival
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Ricky Hatton has revealed his admiration Marco Antonio Barrera as he prepares to face the Mexican legend in an exhibition bout this weekend.
Both fighters are returning to the ring in Manchester on Saturday night as they put aside their friendship for a little while in a contest that will resonate fondly with older boxing fans.
Throughout various stages of the 2000s, Hatton and Barrera were frequent fixtures on boxing’s pound for pound list as their fighting exploits created many great memories.
Barrera’s epic battles Erik Morales, Naseem Hamed and Manny Pacquiao ensured he was a must-see attraction and Hatton is quick to highlight the respect he holds for the former world champion.
"I never thought this would be possible because he is a genuine, genuine hero of mine,” said Hatton when speaking with Sky Sports.
“If you're a boxing fan and he's not a hero of yours then you are not a boxing fan.
"It will be exciting, but there's a bit of professional pride because we're both former champions, I'm not having him come and outbox me, I've no doubt he'll be saying the same so it's going to be good."
