A true people's champion, The Hitman punched through barriers of class and social standing to conquer the world

HE CAME from nothing and achieved everything he ever dreamt of.

- By Jeremy Cross

Ricky Hatton was 'The Hitman' who punched through barriers of class and social standing to conquer the world.

In the end Hatton couldn't conquer his demons.

But he leaves behind a remarkable life of greatness achieved against the odds, one which cemented his standing as one of the true sporting icons.

The bloke from a council estate who took on the best and beat most of them. Two world titles in two weight classes. At times the fame and fortune weighed heavier than those belts he claimed in such firecracker fashion.

Because like a host of sportspeople who went before him, he proved to be a flawed genius.

At his peak, Hatton could knock rivals out for fun.

Those privileged to be ringside when he stopped the great Kosta Tsyzu in his beloved Manchester, to become world champion for the first time, will never forget that night. Or when he outfought Jose Luis Castillo.