The boxing world mourns the passing of Ricky Hatton, a pugilist who transcended the sport and became an icon for his followers. At 46 years old, his legacy endures, marked by epic victories and a unique connection with the fans.
One of the most moving stories that defines Hatton dates back to 2001, before he was crowned world champion. Back then, he invited James Bowes, an 11-year-old boy with hydrocephalus, to accompany him to the ring. Bowes, who carried Hatton’s belts, became a symbol of inspiration and a companion in the most important moments of his career.
“He used to come to the gym in Hyde. He had scars and bandages on his head, and I wondered who he was. One day I asked his mother, who is sadly no longer with us, which makes it all the more tragic. She told me he had a brain disorder and that he watched all my fights. It means a lot to him to lead me to the ring. He started crying when he took my British title to the ring for the first time and I saw the emotion it gave him,” Hatton said.
Ricky Hatton
The second highlighted story occurred in 2008, when Hatton wore a fat suit before his fight against Paulie Malignaggi. This gesture, full of self-deprecating humor, contrasted with the arrogance and “trash talk” common in boxing, demonstrating his closeness to the public.
Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs) conquered world titles in the super-lightweight and welterweight categories, but his greatest achievement was the connection with his followers. His fighting style, full of action and powerful punches, along with his approachable personality, made him an idol for thousands of fans.Ricky Hatton con James Bowes (izquierda) después de su victoria contra Joe Hutchinson en 2002.In his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007, almost 20,000 fans traveled from the United Kingdom to Las Vegas to support him. “They felt they were cheering for their friend,” said Hatton, reflecting the identification his followers felt.
Despite facing the best of his generation, such as Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, and suffering painful defeats, Hatton was always remembered for his courage and fighting spirit.
His 2005 victory over Kostya Tszyu in Manchester is considered one of the most important of his career. “I think that’s my biggest victory, looking back, and it opened the door for me to fight in the United States,” Hatton stated.La victoria de Ricky Hatton sobre Kostya Tszyu en Manchester fue una de las mejores de su carrera.After his defeat to Pacquiao in 2009, Hatton temporarily retired, battling depression and addiction. “Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather were highlights, even though it didn’t go well for me, but they were the best at the time,” Hatton said in 2024. “I struggled with those defeats afterwards, but I’m in a happy place now and I’m happy to talk about them now.”
Hatton returned to boxing in 2012, but a knockout loss to Vyacheslav Senchenko marked the end of his career. In July, it was reported that Hatton planned to end his 13-year retirement to face Eisa Al Dah (8-3, 4 KOs) in a middleweight fight on December 2 in Dubai.El humor autocrítico que definió a Ricky Hatton se mostró en su camino al ring contra Paulie Malignaggi.Like many former champions, Hatton faced challenges outside the ring. Despite his cheerful facade, he battled depression. His greatest achievement was his connection with the fans, who considered him one of them.
