Sporting great Muhammad Ali brought Manchester to a standstill on Wednesday as he arrived to thousands of fans greeting him on a jaunt to Ricky Hatton's gym in Hyde.
The 67-year-old heavyweight ring legend, who continues to battle a severe syndrome of Parkinson's disease, insists this will be his last ever visit to the UK ahead of a special tribute dinner in his honour at Old
Trafford on Wednesday evening.
Proud as punch: Rickly Hatton applauds Muhammad Ali on the legend's arrival to the British boxing hero's gym in Hyde
The three-time world champion fulfilled the British boxing hero's lifelong dream of paying him a special visit, who presented him with a glove emblazoned with 'GOAT' - in a fitting testamemt to the 'greatest of all time'.
'It made me incredibly proud, and it brought a tear to my eye when he arrived,' said Hatton, who is on a break from the sport following his defeat to Manny Pacquiao.
Driving force: Ali's arrival brings fight fans in Manchester to a standstill
'I was honoured when they asked me to speak at the dinner for Muhammad Ali -when they told me Ali wanted to come and visit the gym my jaw nearly hit the floor.
'I've met the greatest sportsman of all time. It is a day all of us here in the gym, and in Hyde, will never forget.
Warm embrace: Hatton hugs his idol Ali in a moment the Brit will never forget
Leading the way: Hatton guides Ali, along with the all-time great's wife Lonnie (L), into his Manchester gym in a brief visit before the American heads to Old Trafford
Ali met several stable members of the Hatton gym and the American icon will continue his tour of Britain, enjoying dinner banquets in Dublin and Stoke-on-Trent over the next two weeks as he bids to faise funds for a selection of his favourite charities.