b'Its a load of old pants One anecdote that did not make itbuy almost any property he liked, instead into The Times: when we spoke tohe lives on a main street - called Mainway Bernard Manning, it was round at his- in the same Manchester suburb where he Manchester home with the great manhas spent most of his life. He did not see sitting there wearing a large pair ofhis success as a ticket away from his roots; white underpants. he likes his roots and wants to stay close toHe didnt get up, and he was watchingthem. Same too for Ricky.daytime TV and he didnt turn it off. ButThey also share a talent for after-dinner that didnt really matter because instead allspeaking. We obviously know that this is he did was what he clearly feels happiestMannings trade, but he told us that Rickys doing: telling jokes. coming along mighty fine too. They help For instance: Im glad Im not bisexual;each other out in this. Ricky speaks every I couldnt stand being rejected by men asyear at Mannings charity golf day; Manning well as women. Or: I once bought myhad already committed to speak at Rickys kids a set of batteries for Christmas with apost-fight party back in Manchester. No note on it saying, toys not included.charge either way.Manning had agreed to see us becauseBut it is the pants thing that really he believes deeply in Ricky, who he is andunites them. Ricky once invited himself what he represents. Drifting along on theover to Mannings house, they had a brew steady flow of Mannings trademark gags,and Manning found Ricky a huge pair of these were his rather proud observationsY-fronts to match his own. So they both sat on Ricky: Weve had plenty of goodthere in their enormous pants, drinking tea sportsmen come from Manchester andand giggling and they decided to ring the he rates in the top three. And: RickyManchester Evening News to get round and Hatton is the best thing thats happened totake the picture. It is one of the funniest Manchester for many a long year: feet onand least likely photographs I have ever the ground, good parents, family man and a bloody good champion whos come up theseen. And both of them are dead proud of it. hard way. And: Hes a good guy, good allManning has a copy of it in his living room; round boy. Thats why I like him. I love theRicky has a huge copy of it framed on the guy, I think everybody does. wall of the Betta Bodies gym.If Manning and Hatton seemedOK, one more from Manning: something of an odd couple, the short driveRichard Branson was asked to take over to find Mannings home had given us anManchester City football team. He said: I indication as to the type of person he is andcouldnt do that. I couldnt have Virgin on where he and Ricky would find commonthe shirts of a team that gets fucked every ground. Because Manning could probablyweek!The Manning residence, Mainway, Ackrington, front room, 3.30pm, Wednesday 20th December 2006, laughingpage 15'