Ricky Hatton: Joe Calzaghe is the Best Ever British Boxer

British boxer Ricky Hatton has said that recently retired Joe Calzaghe is the best boxer Britain has ever had. Joe Calzaghe, who did not lose any of his 46 professional bouts, announced his retirement from boxing on Thursday. The Welshman held the WBO super-middleweight title for more than record 11 years. During these years, he defended the title for 21 times. Towards the end of his career, he rose to light-heavyweight weight division and became the The Ring' light-heavyweight champion defeating American boxer Bernard Hopkins.

BBC reported:

Hatton told BBC Radio Wales: "To hold the title for as long as he did is an absolutely phenomenal achievement."

"I was delighted with the way he finished his career," addded former light-welterweight champion Hatton.

"To be perfectly honest, with everything that Joe had achieved in his career, if he didn't get the chance to top the bill in Vegas and Madison Square Garden, I think it would have been a crying shame."

Well, there are some who believe that Calzaghe did not face strong and quality opponents during his career. However, Hatton dismissed all these talks, stating that Calzaghe outclassed all the opponents whoever was put in front of him. Indicating his victories against Roy Jones Jr and Hopkins, Hatton said that Calzaghe successfully faced some of the undefeated and ambitious opponents like Lacy and Kessler. So, people should not question about the quality of players Calzaghe faced during his career.