VINCENT KOMPANY has compared Ricky Hatton to Thomas Muller in his touching tribute to the boxer.
The iconic British brawler was .
Vincent Kompany has paid tribute to Ricky Hatton
The former Man City defender enjoyed a night out with Hatton and Liam Gallagher
Kompany compared Hatton to Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller
, 39, spent over a decade of his playing career in Manchester as he starred for .
He was asked about Hatton ahead of ‘s clash against on Wednesday night.
The Belgian compared City fan Hitman’s affinity to Manchester with Bayern legend ‘s links to Munich, .
He said: “ is such a difficult thing to explain.
“If you’ve been in Manchester, that’s when you understand how big Ricky was.
“Comparing for the German journalists, he’s like Thomas Müller from Munich, but from another sport.
“I can’t remember a single major event for Man City where he hasn’t been a part or centre of it.
“He was respected on both sides as well, which is not easy in this part of the world.
“Obviously, it was devastating news.
“I can’t think there isn’t a single Mancunian who did not spend the whole day talking about it, calling the family, just because he had an impact on everyone’s life.
“It’s sad and thoughts with the family, with the loved ones.
“I hope out of this that a lot of people will remember the great things he did for the town.”
Kompany had spent time with Hatton while in Manchester as he enjoyed a night out with him, along with star .
Hatton’s death came months after he with a planned in in December.
Ricky Hatton's biggest boxing wins
By
Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008
In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing.
Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss.
Luis Collazo, June 2007
Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job.
But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory – earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather six months later.
Kostya Tszyu, June 2005
Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester.
And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ.
Eamonn Magee, June 2002
Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat.
But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds – showcasing his trademark grit and determination.
Jon Thaxton, October 2000
Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut – not for the first time in his career – to edge out a points win.
It won him the British light-welterweight title
He won world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight and traded blows with some of history’s greatest fighters.
During a glittering 15-year career, such as Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo.
He went on to to superstars Jr in 2007 and in 2009.
Tributes flooded in from all over the world for fan favourite and working class hero Hatton — one of the biggest personalities in boxing.
Former champ , who is from nearby Bolton,
He said: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, .”
The tragedy came days after Hatton had .
