Expected nothing less from Ricky.
The boy is pure class and i guarantee the real Hitman will come out to play in June

Ricky Hatton has hailed Diego Corrales as one of the finest fighters of all time.

The Hitman was among the first to pay tribute to the 29-year-old, who died in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas on Monday.

Hatton has long been linked with a fight against Chico, who won world titles at super-featherweight and lightweight in a spectacular 45-fight career.

He will fight Corrales' old foe Jose Luis Castillo in June, but admits he would have loved to take on an all-action fighter in the same mould.

"It is absolutely tragic news," he said.

"I had a lot of admiration for Diego Corrales and his mega-fight against Jose Luis Castillo deserves to be ranked among the finest of all time.

"I had often been linked with a fight against Corrales and it is a fight I would have loved. He was my kind of fighter, a fighter's fighter.

"He was very passionate about his sport and boxing is a lot worse off without him."