By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, recognized as "The Greatest" of all time made an emotional visit to the spanking new gym of former IBO world light welterweight champion in Hyde, Machester City yesterday and had a touching encounter with Hatton, his family and fans.
Hundreds of boxing fans, many of them carrying placards and some of whom had waited in the rain outside the Hatton Health & Fitness complex to catch a glimpse of the three-time world heavyweight champion, broke out into applause and shouted Ali's name.
The once towering and handsome body of the 67-year-old Ali which has been wracked by Parkinson's Disease, looked frail according to the British newspaper The Sun, as he emerged from a car to shake hands with Hatton, meet his family and pose for photos with a group of young boxers in the gym.
Hatton showed Ali around the gym and its facilities and exchanged gifts. Hatton said: "It was very emotional. We had a picture taken with my son Campbell. He (Ali) raised his hand and hugged him and was trying to say something. It really brought a lump to my throat, my eyes were welling up at one point."
The Sun noted that Ali who has rarely been seen walking unaided in recent times was determined to greet Hatton standing.
The former world light weterweight champion who suffered a devastating 2nd round knockout at the hands of reigning world pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines said, "He was going to come in a wheelchair initially but then he said, 'I can't have Ricky Hatton meet me in a wheelchair, I've got to walk in'. That's a boxer through and through - the boxer's mentality and a champion's mentality."
Hatton remarled, "He's not just one of the greatest boxers of all time, he's one of the greatest men of all time. "
Hatton noted that Ali " made the entertainment side of boxing what it is today. Bearing in mind how poorly he is, for him to come to the gym, raise his hands to the fans and have a picture, that's why he's The Greatest."
Ali achieved worldwide fame through his politics and wit while boxing fans believe his third fight with Joe Frazier, titled the "Thrilla in Manila" on October 1, 1975 was the greatest heavyweight bout of all-time.
A spokesperson had previously stated that Ali's deteriorating health could make the trip his last to the UK.
BBC Sport reported that various causes, including a cultural and education centre set up in Ali's hometown of Louisville, will benefit from his appearance at dinners in Manchester, Stoke and Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
