In the high-pressure atmosphere of Manchester sport, Ricky Hatton and Wayne Rooney would seem unlikely friends. Hatton is the world’s No 1 light-welterweight and an unflinching City fan, Rooney is England and Manchester United’s top striker. Somewhere between Rooney’s love of boxing, Hatton’s love of football and their joint love of a night out, the red and blue rivalry became irrelevant and the two became firm friends.

So much so that Hatton has chosen Rooney, as well as Marco Antonio Barrera, the Mexican three-weight world champion, to carry his IBO and The Ring belts to the ring when he faces José Luis Castillo in Las Vegas on June 23. The decision has not gone down well with some of his regular fans.

“I can’t stand Man United, but just because I don’t support their team doesn’t mean I don’t admire them as players,” Hatton, who has an executive box at the City of Manchester Stadium, said.

“A few City fans have asked if it’s true Wayne’s carrying the belt in, and when I’ve said ‘Yeah’, they’ve said ‘Oh, well we ain’t going’. I see where they’re coming from, because nobody probably hates United more than me, but really they are not Ricky Hatton fans then, are they?

“When I fight I do it for Manchester in general whether you’re City or United. I am quite pally with some of the players from United, half of the team were in the gym the other week, but come derby day I hope we kick them all over the pitch.

“I will have a little chuckle when Wayne carries the belt out to Blue Moon.”

Rooney comes from boxing stock. He went to an amateur club in Liverpool as a teenager and sparred, but when the potential in his feet was beginning to be realised, Everton made it clear that they did not want the risk of him getting injured in the ring.

“I boxed with his cousin, Richie Rooney, when I went to Russia with England Schoolboys,” Hatton said. “Graham, his brother, was an amateur boxer. The whole family are big boxing fans. He was made up when I asked him.

“I like Wayne’s attitude. For him to remain the way he is is as impressive as anything. Wayne’s in the spotlight every day. He’s like me in the sense that he has no airs and graces. In the day of celebrity nobodies who haven’t achieved anything, Wayne, with everything he’s got, is so grounded – that’s what I like about him.

I always admired Hatton's attitude. He is going for a more regal ring entrance this time. Always a good fellow, he will probably lose this fight against Castillo. The Mexican is at least slightly better in every department, unless stamina tips to Hatton.