RICKY Hatton’s son has opened up on the iconic boxer’s funeral wishes made before his “heartbreaking” death.
The 46-year-old British boxing legend was found dead at his home on the morning of Sunday, September 14.
GettyCampbell Hatton and his dad Ricky Hatton MBE[/caption]
The 46-year-old British boxing legend was found dead at his home earlier this monthInstagram
Cops discovered Ricky’s body at his £1.75million mansion in Hyde, Gtr Manchester, just before 7am with his death not thought to be suspicious.
Tributes flooded in from all over the world for fan favourite and working class hero Ricky — one of the biggest personalities in boxing.
Campbell, 24, followed in the footsteps of his dad by becoming a professional boxer and was close to him.
He says the support from the public and tributes to ‘The Hitman’ have been a source of great comfort, but the grief is still intense.
Campbell has now revealed how his father’s death left the family “knocked for six”.
Speaking to ITV he said: “We are absolutely heartbroken…it was so unexpected.
“We had so many plans coming up, so it has knocked us for six, but obviously we are trying to be there for each other.”
A funeral procession for Hatton will start from Gee Cross, where he lived, and pass through Hyde and head towards Manchester Cathedral before coming to an end at the Etihad Stadium – the home of Man City.
The memorial service will take place at Manchester Cathedral and will be ticketed, but the family want to see as many people lining the streets as possible to show their support.
Asked if he wanted a large turnout for his dad’s funeral, Campbell revealed: “That’s exactly what he would have wanted. He sees his biggest achievement as his fanbase, and that’s what he was most proud of.
“So what he’d want would be the streets to be full of people…because everything he did, he did for his fans.”
Devastated Campbell added that the family had been getting some comfort from watching video clips of his father’s life on social media, showing his boxing achievements and also his sense of humour.
Just days before his tragic death, Hatton sent a video to a bullied 10-year-old schoolboy, urging him to keep his chin up.
It was exactly the sort of selfless thing the former super-light and welterweight Hall-of-Famer was known for, especially after battling his own demons.
Hatton wrestled with depression and addiction problems after his 2007 loss to Floyd Mayweather and again after the brutal 2009 defeat to Manny Pacquiao.
But he could walk into any local pub or football stadium and be cheered to the rafters and never have to pay for a pint of Guinness.
That unshakeable working-class attitude set him apart from so many sports and showbiz celebrities and – even after his incredible 2005 world title win over pound-for-pound No1 Kostya Tszyu – it never left him.
Ricky’s death also comes months after he announced his return to boxing with a fight against Eisa Al Dah planned in Dubai on December 2 — 13 years after an ill-fated comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
BOXING LEGEND
Ricky won world titles at both light-welterweight and welterweight and traded blows with some of history’s greatest fighters during a glittering 15-year career.
In his prime, he beat ring greats such as Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before going on to suffer knockout losses to superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest UK fighters of his generation.
Ricky was awarded an MBE in 2007 and had worked as a boxing promoter and trainer since hanging up his gloves.
Manchester band Oasis paid tribute to Ricky when they returned to London’s Wembley Stadium for a second round of gigs as part of their reunion tour.
During hit track Live Forever, the Gallagher brothers had the boxer’s image being projected onto the huge screens behind them as they performed.
Noel and Liam were also pals with Ricky, and Noel – who recently shared a sweet story about the boxer – was seen turning towards the screens as he played his guitar to acknowledge his departed friend.
The band’s official social media accounts then shared the moment with the caption: “For Ricky” with a blue love heart.
GettyHatton celebrates after beating Aldo Rios during the WBU Light Welterweight Championship of the World at the MEN Arena on September 27, 2003 in Manchester[/caption]
SplashRicky at The PFA Awards 2025 at The Opera house Theatre in Manchester[/caption]
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
By Jack Figg
Paulie Malignaggi, November 2008
In his first fight since splitting with long-time trainer Billy Graham, Hatton dominated Malignaggi in one of his best displays of boxing.
Coached by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton would earn a 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which ended in a horrifying KO loss.
Luis Collazo, May 2006
Hatton dropped the veteran American in the opening seconds of round one and looked on course for a demolition job.
But he was taken to the brink over 12 rounds but held on to victory – earning him a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather at welterweight a year later.
Kostya Tszyu, June 2005
Russian-born Aussie Tszyu was behind only Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings when he travelled to Manchester.
And Hatton pulled off a career-best win to stop Tszyu in the 11th round of what was a brutal war. He became light-welterweight world champ.
Eamonn Magee, June 2002
Hatton was dropped by the Irishman and looked to be on the brink of defeat.
But he got to his feet and rallied back to win over 12 rounds – showcasing his trademark grit and determination.
Jon Thaxton, October 2000
Hatton had to overcome a nasty cut – not for the first time in his career – to edge out a points win.
It won him the British light-welterweight title.
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