Amir's the future of boxing, says Hitman
Ricky Hatton believes Amir Khan can be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
The Hitman, who has not fought since losing to current No 1 Manny Pacquiao in May 2009, is co-promoting the WBA world champion's clash with Paul McCloskey, live on Sky Box Office HD.
Hatton says Khan has the charisma and skills to succeed him as Britain's favourite boxer, but is also convinced he can go one step further and be the best on the planet.
He urged his legion of supporters to get behind him at the MEN Arena because he believes it will be a homecoming to remember.
"It would be nice for people to say I was there, I bought a ticket," he told Sky Sports News HD.
"(Floyd) Mayweather and (Manny) Pacquiao aren't going to be there forever and when they pass the torch on, who better to take that pound-for-pound number one spot than Amir Khan?
"I had a lot of wonderful nights at the MEN Arena and Amir Khan is the new kid on the block.
"He's wonderful, he's a nice kid, he's just come off the Fight of the Year and it's nice for British fans to see him come back to Britain and show them what he's learned."
Qualities
While David Haye, Carl Froch and Ricky Burns have succeeded Hatton in becoming British world champions, none have come close to earning the same fanatical support.
But the Hitman called for his famous legion of followers to get behind the boy from Bolton who, he says, has his attitude towards taking on the very best.
"We really are going to bang the drum hard for this fight to get him the exposure he deserves," he said.
"I had an army of supporters that I feel very, very proud of and I just urge boxing fans - if you are a genuine boxing fan and you were a Ricky Hatton fan for all the qualities I showed - you really should come and support this young man because he's made from the same cloth.
"We should get behind him and be very, very proud of him."
The Hitman, who has not fought since losing to current No 1 Manny Pacquiao in May 2009, is co-promoting the WBA world champion's clash with Paul McCloskey, live on Sky Box Office HD.
Hatton says Khan has the charisma and skills to succeed him as Britain's favourite boxer, but is also convinced he can go one step further and be the best on the planet.
He urged his legion of supporters to get behind him at the MEN Arena because he believes it will be a homecoming to remember.
"It would be nice for people to say I was there, I bought a ticket," he told Sky Sports News HD.
"(Floyd) Mayweather and (Manny) Pacquiao aren't going to be there forever and when they pass the torch on, who better to take that pound-for-pound number one spot than Amir Khan?
"I had a lot of wonderful nights at the MEN Arena and Amir Khan is the new kid on the block.
"He's wonderful, he's a nice kid, he's just come off the Fight of the Year and it's nice for British fans to see him come back to Britain and show them what he's learned."
Qualities
While David Haye, Carl Froch and Ricky Burns have succeeded Hatton in becoming British world champions, none have come close to earning the same fanatical support.
But the Hitman called for his famous legion of followers to get behind the boy from Bolton who, he says, has his attitude towards taking on the very best.
"We really are going to bang the drum hard for this fight to get him the exposure he deserves," he said.
"I had an army of supporters that I feel very, very proud of and I just urge boxing fans - if you are a genuine boxing fan and you were a Ricky Hatton fan for all the qualities I showed - you really should come and support this young man because he's made from the same cloth.
"We should get behind him and be very, very proud of him."
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