Ricky Hatton funeral: Thousands line the streets as former world boxing champion laid to rest in Manchester | Boxing News

Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell paid tribute to his late father at his funeral in Manchester, saying: “I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you, dad.”

Thousands of mourners lined the streets during the procession which began at Hatton’s local pub – Cheshire Cheese in Hyde – at 9.45am on Friday before a private memorial service took place from midday.

Former world champion Hatton was found dead in his home on September 14. Greater Manchester Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Campbell Hatton, who won 14 of 16 fights before retiring from boxing last year, said of Ricky’s service: “We won’t make any new memories – but the ones we did I’ll cherish forever.”

The procession included a stop at Hatton’s boxing gym as well as AO Arena, the venue where he captured his first world title by defeating Kosta Tszyu in June 2005.

It was driven by the famous Reliant truck from Only Fools And Horses. Hutton was a huge fan of the sitcom and once bought one of the original three-wheelers, which he used to get around his city.

“Without Ricky, the UK would not have so many world champions.”

Those in attendance included Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Hatton’s fellow boxers Tyson Fury, Frank Bruno and Tony Bellew, former England, Manchester United and Everton footballer Wayne Rooney and former England cricket captain Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff.

Speaking on his social media channels earlier today, Fury said of Hatton: “Today is Ricky Hatton’s funeral day.

“I won’t be alone when I say this, but Ricky inspired me as a young boy to go on and do great things in boxing. I wanted to be just like him. Walking into the ring, the bright shorts, the fans, the cheers.

“When I was a young kid fighting for his world title against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester, I was there with a lot of young kids who were inspired by Ricky.

“If it weren’t for Ricky Hatton, Manchester, North West, the UK wouldn’t have so many ‘Hitman’ inspired world boxing champions. Rest in peace, Rick. See you soon mate.”

“He has been our little hero since the day he was born.”

Hutton’s mother, Carol, said in a statement read on her behalf at the funeral: “The hit man was beloved by his army of fans – a people’s champion, and he used to say that was how he wanted to be remembered.”

“Long before he received this award, he was our little hero from the day he was born.”

Hatton won 45 of his 48 fights and gained legions of fans, not only for his boxing ability but also for his down-to-earth demeanor, with tens of thousands of supporters traveling to see him take on Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

Mayweather and Pacquiao inflicted two of Hatton’s three defeats, the third coming in his last bout, against Vyacheslav Senchenko in Manchester in May 2012.

Hatton – an ambassador for mental health charities and the Manchester-based Barnabas, which supports homeless and vulnerable people – became a coach after his retirement before taking part in an exhibition against Marco Antonio Parreira in 2022.

He was scheduled to return to the ring in a professional match in December this year.

“A man of the people with an incredible work ethic.”

Sky Sports Pundit and former British and European middleweight champion Matthew McLean said: “Everyone talks about Ricky being a man of the people, and he was, but it’s easy to forget that he was an incredible boxer.

“He had incredible talent and an incredible work ethic.

“As a young fighter I looked up to, he was a great role model in how he trained, how he dealt with the media and other people.

“He was a great, funny guy. His after-dinner speech was on the level of stand-up comedy.

“He was unexpectedly funny with quick one-liners, and always got back to you.”