It would take a brave or foolish man to enter the ring in front of the 50,000 frenzied Manchester City fans at Eastlands in May waving the red flag of their hated rivals from up the road at Old Trafford.
But you wouldn't put it past Paulie Malignaggi, the brash former street tough from New York who will appear on the big Hatton card in order to hype an expected summer showdown with the 'Hitman' at Madison Square Garden.
In August 2003, Malignaggi fought Kevin Watts in New Haven in an arena full of Boston Red Sox fans. He clambered into the ring waving the flag of their ferocious rivals, the New York Yankees.
"I knew I was going to be hated," said Malignaggi, whose antics polarise opinions but undeniably bring success at the box office. A clash between the IBF champion and Hatton in New York would guarantee a sell-out.
"Everyone was blown away when they heard Ricky was going to fight at City of Manchester Stadium," said Malignaggi. "It's going to be crazy over there.
"Vegas was crazy last December and I know we can bring that atmosphere back when we go at it in the Fall. This won't be a Friendly, more like a World Cup match, wherever we fight.
"My goal has always been to make the biggest and best fights. A match-up between me and Ricky would be a super-fight. And everyone knows I talk a lot of smack, so Ricky isn't getting the breaks there either!"
Like Hatton, the only blemish on IBF champion Malignaggi's 24-1 record came against the very best. He was well beaten by ferocious Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto via unanimous points decision in June 2006.
Although Malignaggi does not possess a winning punch - only five of his wins have come inside the distance - his fleet-footed style befuddles opponents and sees him rank below only Hatton and Junior Witter in the 140lbs ranks.
While most British observers remain frustrated with Hatton's unwillingness to face his sternest test in Witter, Malignaggi certainly represents a justifiable and marketable alternative.
Malignaggi has rebounded with three straight wins since losing to Cotto, against top-ranked opponents Edner Cherry, Lovemore N'Dou and Herman Ngoudjo. He will make it four on the Hatton undercard.
"There is no one, I repeat, no one I want to fight more than the number one guy in the division - Ricky Hatton," continued Malignaggi. "Forget the money, forget the titles, this is about being the best.
"I know that if I get in the ring with Ricky Hatton, I'll show him and everyone else what I'm made of, that I am the best 140lb fighter in the world.
"I've got to admit that, after the Cotto fight I never thought I'd get the chance to fight another great champion again. I believed in myself, but it was almost like I proved too much to everyone.
"I'm really grateful that Team Hatton looks like they'll give me the opportunity to fight on Ricky's big card in Manchester in May and then against him in the Fall in the United States."
Born in the Big Apple, Malignaggi spent most of his childhood in Sicily but after a childhood spent skirting trouble with the law he fell into boxing almost accidentally.
His talent was evident in the way he eased to a national title and two New York Golden Gloves victories, but his early professional record was crippled by the hand injuries which restricted his power.
Malignaggi avoided the fate of many of his light-punching contemporaries by sporting brash ear-rings and broad headbands which negated the thirst amongst his fans for blood and thunder boxing.
"Ricky is rough and tough - and all-action fighter who takes advantage of everything he can to get the win. Most of my fights have been boxing matches. But if they bring it, I'm going to give it back, times 10."
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