Boxing Legends Pay Tribute to Ricky Hatton at Emotional Funeral

Boxing Legends Pay Tribute to Ricky Hatton

In an emotional ceremony held in Manchester, former world boxing champions gathered to pay tribute to Ricky Hatton, known as the “people’s champion.” The farewell brought together sports figures and celebrities, who remembered a local hero who maintained his humility despite his rise to fame and fortune. Amir Khan, former two-weight world champion, expressed his admiration for Hatton:

He was a fantastic fighter, one of the best. He inspired many boxers like us. He will be remembered as one of the greatest in Great Britain. He was very cheerful, funny, and respected. He was always the people’s champion.

Amir Khan

The massive turnout at the funeral demonstrated Hatton’s popularity, according to Khan.

Among those in attendance were Tyson Fury and Frank Bruno, former world heavyweight champions, and Barry McGuigan, former world featherweight champion. McGuigan highlighted the example that Hatton always represented, from his beginnings as a promising amateur to becoming a world champion, attracting thousands of fans to Las Vegas for epic battles. McGuigan commented on the numerous presence of fans, many dressed in the light blue of Manchester City, the team loved by Hatton:

It’s amazing, but it doesn’t surprise me because he was a star, a great human being. I’m here with my two sons because he demands the respect that a boxing hero deserves. He’s an incredible guy and a phenomenal fighter, simply incredible. He united people.

Barry McGuigan

Tony Bellew, former cruiserweight world champion, revealed how Hatton inspired him to fight to climb the rankings and achieve his dream. Bellew recalled his first experience watching Hatton train:

For someone who reached Ricky Hatton’s level and remained a normal person, it’s incredible. The best memory I have was going to the gym and seeing him train for the first time. I was an amateur boxer at the time, I had just won the ABA title. I saw him train.

Tony Bellew

Bellew continued to describe Hatton’s influence on his career and his admiration for his personality.