Rock band Oasis, who Hatton adored and would later befriend, were building on Manchester’s reputation as a capital of the music world.
Manchester United were dominating English football.
Hatton was playing his part in the ring and also giving his Manchester City-supporting backers something to cheer while their team struggled in the Red Devils’ shadow.
In the city centre, a new venue opened and staged a Torvill and Dean performance on its opening night.
“It was fortunate that they built the Manchester Arena when they did,” said Speak of the indoor venue that welcomed its first customers in 1995.
This is where Hatton had 15 of his professional fights. “It would become his fortress,” Speak said.
By the time Hatton fought Kostya Tszyu in 2005, he was selling out the arena.
Hatton stopped the man who was regarded as the world’s best light-welterweight to win the IBF title.
Danny Jackson, a close friend to Hatton and Manchester City’s matchday announcer, delivered an emotional speech in memory of his pal at the recent City-United derby.
He gives Hatton credit for putting his beloved football club – now giants of the world game – in the spotlight.
“You look at Rick’s time as a boxer, there wasn’t a lot to like about City then,” Jackson said.
“Rick was a bit of a shining light in that period. He got City’s brand out there to millions of people.”
Retired world champion Anthony Crolla described the Tszyu fight as “one of the greatest nights Manchester has ever had in any sport”.
The next day, Hatton set up camp at the New Inn in Hyde for what had become a regular celebration – nicknamed the not-so-nice shirt nights.
“He didn’t want to swan off to celebrity hotspots; he wanted to be around his mates and having a laugh,” said Jackson.
Paul Smith, the Liverpool world title challenger who trained alongside Hatton, remembers one fancy dress party when Hatton dressed as ‘Ginger Spice’ Geri Halliwell.
Those kind of images would get out and help to keep Hatton in the hearts of those from Manchester, because they could see he was one of them.
That never changed. This summer, Hatton attended a friend’s stag do in Portugal.
They set him up by giving him dissolvable swimming shorts to wear in the pool.
“There were a group of lads there from Leeds by the pool idolising him and they were saying ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this to a superstar’,” said Jackson.
“He took the stick, he gave the stick, just a normal guy.”
