WATCH: Hitman Ricky Hatton still packs a punch in Bewdley

The lucky opponents had the chance to spar with the former world champion boxer at the Feel Good Health Club at the Mercure Hotel.

Once dubbed 'The Manchester Mexican', Hatton held a question and answer session with gym members on Friday and signed merchandise which will be auctioned off by the gym to raise money for Cancer Research.

Hatton said: "I took a few lads on the pads and really enjoyed it. It still makes me feel very proud, I've been retired for a few years and these kids still know me.

"I remember one time, when I was a boy, I went to a show and boxer Nigel Benn was there.

"It made me go to the gym and try so much harder.

"That's what it's all about, if people can look at me in the same light."

The Feel Good Health Club has recently undergone a major refurbishment including a new roof being installed over the swimming pool.

It also had an upgrade with more than 100 pieces of gym equipment installed.

It held on an open day on June 7 – which raised £198 for Cancer Research – at which visitors had a chance to win a meeting with Hatton for a master-class.

Michael Khalsa was among those last week who got to met the boxer who famously fought Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Mr Khalsa, said: "He was a really down to earth kind of guy.

"He was really chatty and was giving me a few pointers on my boxing, just little things like showing me how to keep my elbows up.

"I train quite a lot but he kept me on my toes.

"He is clearly still into his training and was telling us he had got his own gym where he is training future fighters."

The gym's leisure manager Alastair Day said Hatton was 'brilliant' during his visit.

"It was a pity we could not have had him longer," he added. "He sat and talked to everyone.

"He got collared in the changing rooms by about half of our members but he was happy to hang around and talk to them all."