Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton shared the ring in a legendary 2009 fight, which the "Pacman" won by second-round knockout.
Manny Pacquiao expressed his condolences to the family of Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 Sunday in England.
[Related: Former world champion Ricky Hatton dies at 46]
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ricky Hatton. He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life,” Pacquiao said in a statement.
“We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed. Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey.”
Hatton was one of Pacquiao’s most famous rivals.
Pacquiao’s second-round knockout of Hatton in 2009 is arguably the greatest of his career, and it was the victory that signaled his true rise towards an unprecedented eight division titles.
On the other side, it also marked Hatton’s greatest loss.
Following their 2009 showdown, Hatton would only fight once more, losing his 2012 comeback.