The funeral was held at Manchester Cathedral after a long procession around the city
The great and the good of the boxing world were among thousands of mourners who said an emotional farewell to world champion Ricky Hatton at his funeral earlier.
Hatton, whose passion, personality and skills drew huge crowds throughout his career, was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on 14 September at the age of 46.
“I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you, dad, and that we won’t be making any new memories – but the ones we did I will cherish forever,” he said.
“Growing up I looked up to my dad in every aspect of life whether it be following in a career in boxing like he did or the way he carried himself out of the ring.
“But all of that was fuelled by the love I had and always will have for him.”
PA Media
The sporting world was left in shock when Hatton was found dead at his home
Hatton’s mother Carol said in a statement read on her behalf: “‘The Hitman’ was adored by his army of fans – the People’s Champion, and he would say that’s how he would want to be remembered.
“Long before this accolade he was our little champion from the day he was born.”
Among those attending were boxers Frazer Clarke and Natasha Jonas, former boxers Amir Khan, Scott Welch, Frank Bruno, Barry McGuigan and Anthony Crolla, former Manchester City footballer Mike Summerbee, pundit and former footballer Chris Kamara and Hatton’s former trainer Billy Graham.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen and boxers Tyson and Tommy Fury also attended the service.
They were joined by Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder and Mark “Bez” Berry, reality TV personality Calum Best, comedian Paddy McGuinness, former cricket star Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and actor Dean Gaffney.
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Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was among the friends and family attending
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Tyson Fury was joined by his brother Tommy at the service
EPA
Former England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney and his wife Colleen paid their respects at the service
Hatton’s funeral cortege was led by the famous Reliant van from Only Fools And Horses.
The former boxing world champion was a big fan of the Del Boy and Rodney sitcom and once bought one of the original three-wheelers for £4,000, which he used to drive round his home city.
On the way to the service, the cortege arrived at the Cheshire Cheese pub – Hatton’s local – on Stockport Road in Hyde and was met with applause from mourners before it departed at 09:45 BST.
Reuters
Hatton’s funeral cortege was led by the famous Reliant van from Only Fools And Horses, which Hatton purchased
EPA
The coffin was carried into the cathedral by Hatton’s brother Matthew Hatton and son Campbell Hatton
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The funeral procession made a final stop at the home of Manchester City
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The funeral was described as “a service of thanksgiving” in the order of service
The procession then travelled to the Harehill Tavern before doves were released in the boxer’s honour at The New Inn.
There was a further pause at Hatton’s Gym, where emotional fans sang and took pictures.
Throngs of wellwishers gathered around the cathedral ahead of the service.
Afterwards, the procession made its way from the cathedral to the Etihad Stadium, home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City.
The Stockport-born boxer won world titles in both the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.
He quickly rose through the amateur and domestic ranks to pit his wits against the elite fighters of his generation, including Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.
BBC Breakfast paid a touching tribute to the Dancing on Ice star ahead of his funeral today (October 10), featuring an interview with Hatton’s former coach Blain Younis. Younis described Hatton as “a hero” to the local community, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“People are coming to lay flowers outside the gym and his house and you can just see how it’s impacted the town,” he said. “It’s like it’s hit people hard.”
“He was like the hero of Hyde,” he continued. “The astonishing thing was the heights he reached in boxing and celebrity life. He still knew everyone on a personal level around this town.”
BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt informed viewers that thousands were expected to line the streets of Greater Manchester to bid a final farewell to Hatton, before his midday funeral.
The procession will begin from Gee Cross in Hyde, making its way to Manchester Cathedral.
Hatton, who built a gym for his community, will have his procession pause there, allowing fans to reflect on their loss.
As mourners pass a pub cellar where the Hattons constructed a boxing ring, doves will be released in honour of the late sports star.
The procession will then reach Manchester Arena, a venue where Hatton often showcased his boxing prowess.
Hatton was found dead on 14 September.
His family later paid tribute, stating: “He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.
“Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.”
BOXING champion Ricky Hatton fought bravely not just in the ring but also with his own mental health struggles.
The legendary boxer, 46, previously spoke out about his battles outside the sport after retiring in 2012.
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Ricky Hatton, 46, was found dead at his home this morningCredit: Getty
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Champion Ricky retired from boxing in 2012Credit: AFP
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The boxer had previously opened up about his mental health struggles and had planned a comeback fight for later this yearCredit: PA
Ricky was found dead at his home this morning, just months after he announced his return to the ring.
Boxer Ricky, who won 45 of his 48 pro fights during a glittering career, previously spoke about his struggles with depression and how he had fought back from the brink with his mental health and alcohol addiction.
Talking about his struggles, the multi-weight world champ told Radio 4 earlier this year: “I used to go to the pub, come back and sit there in the dark crying hysterically.”
He had also been open about the need for boxers to get more help after hanging up their gloves.
Read More on Ricky Hatton
Depression… the signs to look for and what to do
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Down, upset or tearful
Restless, agitated or irritable
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Empty and numb
Isolated and unable to relate to other people
Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
Angry or frustrated over minor things
A sense of unreality
No self-confidence or self-esteem
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Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
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In the past, Ricky had also talked about how his life took a dark turn after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2007 fight in Las Vegas.
He explained how he overcame problems with drink, drugs and depression, and why mental health issues are so prevalent in boxing.
Ricky told BBC Sport: “If a boxer can come out and say they’re struggling and crying every day, it’s going to make a huge difference.
“Having gone through it, I now see it as my job to help those suffering with mental health.”
Ricky, nicknamed “the Hitman”, was incredibly popular among boxing fans and enjoyed fame both during his career and after announcing his 2012 retirement.
Ricky Hatton says his stunning boxing comeback is to help people battling mental health demons
And he never shied away from his mental health battles, bravely fighting his demons for years after quitting the sport.
Speaking to SunSport earlier this year, he shared how he had been inspired by Oasis’ comeback tour, as well as his weight loss, to bring himself back into the ring.
He said: “It inspired a lot of people, you know, for me to get in shape again at the age I’m at.
“Especially bearing in mind all my problems I’ve had personally with mental health and stuff like that.
“It was nice for so many people to come up to me and go, ‘Oh, I’ve always struggled with my weight and to see you get it off at your age.’
“I’ve always struggled with my mental health and I’ve had my problems.
“And to see where you were a few years ago to what you’re doing now, it’s inspirational.”
Ricky Hatton’s biggest boxing wins
Ricky Hatton tasted defeat just three times in an illustrious 46 fight career that saw him earn an estimated £37million in prize money. Here are some of his most memorable victories:
Tommy Peacock by TKO – In his 11th fight as a professional Ricky won his first title – the vacant Central Area light-welterweight belt – at Oldham Sports Centre
Jon Thaxton on points – Ricky picked up national honours when he defeated Thaxton for the vacant British light-welterweight strap at Wembley Conference Centre in 2000
Kostya Tsyzu retired – In front of a rapturous home crowd inside Manchester’s MEN Arena, Ricky became a world champion for the first time. He won the IBF and The Ring light-welterweight titles against the former undisputed champ Tsyzu
Luis Collazo unanimous decision – Just three fights later Ricky added to his title collection, claiming the WBA light-welterweight title stateside by beating tough Collazo over 12 rounds
Paulie Malignaggi TKO – Ricky’s final boxing victory came against loud-mouthed American-Italian fighter Malignaggi in Las Vegas. The Hitman let his fists do the talking and stopped his foe in the 11th round. He earned a cool $2.5million for his night’s work.
Six months later Ricky would taste defeat for a second time, the first being against Floyd Mayweather in 2007, against Phillippino superstar Manny Pacquiao. He suffered a brutal second round knockout and was taken to hospital for a precautionary brain scan.
Ricky had first retired from the sport in 2011 before announcing a comeback fight in 2012.
However, his ill-fated bout against Vyacheslav Senchenko led to his immediate retirement in November that year.
But inspired by the Gallagher brothers, who also walked him to the ring for his 2008 win over Pauli Malignaggi, Ricky was looking forward to a return to the spotlight, 13 years after his last professional bout.
