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Hatton sees similarities in Khan

Ricky Hatton's career reached a number of high points - and he believes Amir Khan has the character to achieve similar success © PA Photos

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Former light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton believes Amir Khan shares a number of similarities with him that will stand him in good stead as his career progresses.

Hatton, who retired in 2009 after a professional career which saw him take 45 wins from 47 fights, is looking forward to seeing Khan return to action at his former stomping ground - the MEN Arena in Manchester - against Paul McCloskey on April 16.

Having played a part in arranging the bout, the 32-year-old is looking forward to the return to the country of a fighter he believes is from a similar mould.

"I had some wonderful nights at the MEN Arena, but Amir Khan is the new kid on the block. It's very exciting for British fans to see what he's been learning in the US," Hatton said. "We've been mates for a number of years. He's come a long way in a short space of time. With Amir fighting in Manchester I feel very, very proud.

"If you are a British boxing fan, and you were a Ricky Hatton fan - with that die-hard attitude, take on all-comers - then I think Amir Khan is cut from the same cloth. I think we should get behind him and be very proud of him."

It will be Khan's first fight in the UK following two successful contests in the United States, the second of which was a classic with Marcos Maidana that went the distance. Having scraped through that gruelling contest, Hatton believes Khan has proven his credentials.

"Fights like that, sometimes you only have a few of them in a career," Hatton said. "But Amir hasn't had too many miles on the clock. That's probably the first real war he's been in and he's come through it with flying colours. I think if anything, even though that was a hard fight, it will stand him in good stead because he silenced a lot of doubters."

Khan now faces McCloskey, who is yet to taste defeat in 22 fights. Hatton believes the 24-year-old from Bolton should make certain not to underestimate his opponent.

"He's a southpaw, very, very skilful. He has a very good camp - Amir Khan can't afford to take a rest," Hatton said. "He's an unbeaten fighter, and unbeaten fighters are very dangerous because they don't know if they even can be beaten. You've got to credit Amir for picking an unbeaten fighter, he could have gone for someone with a few more miles on the clock but he didn't.

"He's a young, ambitious kid who is very, very talented and that's what British boxing is all about."

While Hatton's company, Hatton Promotions, was involved in arranging the fight, the Manchester man does not expect to be involved in Khan's training - although he will be around if the fighter ever has any questions.

"He comes from a great stable, under [trainer] Freddie Roach. For me Freddie Roach is arguably the best trainer in world boxing so when you have someone like that in your corner you don't need much more advice," Hatton said. "But he knows I'm on the end of a phone if he needs me."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.