Boxing is not everyone’s cup of tea. Indeed, it’s absolutely not mine. In any sporting pursuit though, every so often there will be characters who transcend not only their own area of expertise, but others too.
For example, not all that long ago, a person was encountered who, it was well known, wouldn’t know a football from a hot air balloon, yet they knew a fair bit about David Clifford because they worked with his father, Dermot.
Likewise, within the last week, I encountered somebody whose idea of backing something or somebody would be to provide a character and/or employment reference. Yet they were very familiar with Ruby Walsh because they were in school with his younger brother Ted.
In that, Boxing is no different to any other sport. Depending on how far back you want to go, Ali, Bruno, Tyson, Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and all the way to AJ. Ricky Hatton absolutely belongs in the pantheon of same.
A multiple times, two-weight World Champion in the ring, a particularly admirable style of pugilist – plucky, wiry, busy, with two rapid rockets on the end of his arms.
However, since news of ‘The Hitman’s tragic, untimely passing this (Sunday) morning, the majority of the tributes which have poured in have particularly focussed on the incalculable good the Manchester pugilist did for so many, often without fanfare.
Particularly in the area of mental health awareness. Which seems all the more poignant now in light of the 46-year-old’s death. The Manchester City fan was, to my generation at least, the standout, flagship fighter of his era and so much more besides. May he rest in peace.
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