Five of Ricky ‘the Hitman’ Hatton’s best knock-outs on his birthday

As a fighter, Ricky ‘the Hitman’ Hatton was fast-talking and even quicker in the ring, with his ferocious shots sending 32 victims crashing to the canvas over the course of his impressive 45-career wins from 1997 to 2012.

Today, the retired Manchester-born ‘People’s Champion’ enjoys his 37th birthday, and to join in with the celebrations Coral dive into the archive and uncover five of his best and most vicious knockouts during a superb career.

Luis Castillo 2007
For the Hitman’s 43rd professional victory, the former welterweight world champion displayed his brilliant body shots, inflicting a fourth-round stoppage on Mexican Castillo in Las Vegas before an anticipated match-up against Floyd Mayweather later that year.

Carlos Maussa 2005
At his explosive best in Sheffield, Hatton made an electrifying start out of the blocks against Colombian Maussa, before eventually downing his South American opponent in the ninth round with a brutal left hand.

Young British fighters such as Luke Campbell and Anthony Joshua will undoubtedly be looking to emulate Hatton’s success in the ring during their own careers, and the latter heavyweight is odds-on 1/16 to stop Dillian Whyte in December.

Ray Oliveira 2004
Into the final rounds of his light welterweight defence against American bruiser Oliveira, Manchester’s heroic champion sent his foe crashing to the floor after a solid right hand against the ropes, with an onlooking London crowd rapturously warming to his efforts.