I can get behind a little nationalism easier than I can get behind any kind of racial pride. In either case it's a bit silly to take pride in the luck of the draw.

We have absolutely no control over where, when and to whom we are born.

It's a bit easier to justify having some pride in your own accomplishments and values and tangentially to root for someone that exemplifies your core values or attitudes. This is why I see fans getting behind Hatton - it's what drew me to the entire sport in teh first place. I'm American and happen to be white. I find that the type of public persona that Hatton has is what I like to see in my sports figures.

It's why I loved Barry Sanders as well.

Screw nationalism and racism. I like Champions (and it has very little to do with winning)