Tuesday 20 September 2016 08:30, UK
Ricky Hatton will be putting footballing rivalry aside and cheering Anthony Crolla on against Jorge Linares on Saturday.
'Million Dollar' Crolla (31-4-3-KO13) has built up huge popularity in Manchester, which celebrated November's WBA world title victory over Darleys Perez in style.
Hatton knows all about being the boxing darling of the city, having taken thousands of his loyal supporters to Las Vegas to face the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao and he is hopeful another boisterous atmosphere can inspire a night of glory for Crolla.
It would be a wonderful night for Manchester and it would bring the good days back.
Despite the champion being a die-hard Manchester United fan, City cult figure Hatton was generous in his praise.
He said: "He's matured into such a fantastic fighter now. I think it's a 50-50. I'm going and I'll be singing my heart out but it's a 50-50 fight.
"The Ring title is on the line. You can win a world title and it still doesn't mean you're the best in the division but if Anthony wins this fight, he's the best in his weight category.
"It would be a wonderful night for Manchester and it would bring the good days back."
Watch Crolla v Linares live on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm this Saturday
