Ricky Hatton took thousands of fans to Las Vegas for his battles with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio, including an up-and-coming fighter who’d go on to conquer the sport.
In his sensational career, ‘The Hitman’ amassed an incredible army of supporters, with his famous band bringing the house down every single time he went into battle.
The atmospheres his followers created were simply like no other.
And it’s fair to say they inspired a talented youngster to dedicate every fibre of her being to boxing, with the goal of headlining those significant events herself.
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Natasha Jonas watched Ricky Hatton fight Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas
When Ricky Hatton walked out in front of a sea of fans to battle it out with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Natasha Jonas was in the arena, watching on in awe.
Those electric nights, inspired ‘Miss GB’ to make it to the top, with the Liverpudlian now a multiple-time world champion herself.
In her astonishing career, Jonas has given the fans many special memories, most notably beating Chris Namus on the Amir Khan vs Kell Brook undercard to win her first world championship.
But perhaps the moment that means the most, is when she got the opportunity to co-main a card with Hatton, when he returned to the ring for an exhibition bout with Marco Antonio Barrera.
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Knockout, Jonas reminisced: “Ricky Hatton is someone I’ve always looked up to as a boxer myself. His fight with Kosta Tszyu, I remember it being one of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen.
“We actually followed him to Las Vegas for the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fights. So, it was great to be on a card with him.
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends where I’d pick up the phone and call him, but he knows who I am, and that’s a great thing to feel.
“Someone I’ve looked up to now knows who I am and respects what I bring to the table, so it’s really good.”
Natasha Jonas hopes to secure a Katie Taylor rematch
While Hatton was the king of his era, Jonas is the Queen of hers, with the 40-year-old undoubtedly cementing her status as the best British female fighter of the current generation.
Tomorrow night, she will return to the ring for a major clash with Lauren Price, for the WBC, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles at The Royal Albert Hall in London, UK.
With so much experience, the Scouser knows she can’t afford to take her eye off the ball.
But should she emerge from her upcoming bout unscathed, Jonas will instantly set her sights on Katie Taylor.