Thousands bid farewell to Ricky Hatton: Boxer’s funeral with stars and tributes

Prominent figures bid farewell to Ricky Hatton in an emotional funeral

The boxing world and various personalities came together to bid farewell to former world champion Ricky Hatton, at a funeral held at Manchester Cathedral. Among the attendees, figures such as Liam Gallagher, Tyson Fury, and Wayne Rooney stood out, who expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the British boxer. Hatton, known for his charisma and achievements in the ring, was found dead at 46 years old in his home in Hyde on September 14th. The funeral procession, which began at the Cheshire Cheese pub, a place frequented by Hatton, was led by the famous Reliant Robin from the series “Only Fools and Horses”, a vehicle that the boxer admired and came to acquire.

The funeral procession included stops at Hatton’s boxing gym and the AO Arena, where the boxer starred in memorable moments, such as his victory against Kostya Tszyu. Thousands gathered in the streets to pay tribute to Hatton, while a memorial service was held at the city’s cathedral. In addition to Gallagher, a close friend of Hatton, prominent figures from British boxing were also present, such as Fury, Tony Bellew, and Frank Bruno, as well as former English cricket captain Andrew Flintoff and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

The funeral was also attended by Billy Graham, Hatton’s former coach, who was a key figure in his career. After the service, the procession headed to the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, Hatton’s favorite team. The news of Hatton’s passing was announced shortly before the Manchester derby, where a minute of applause was held in his honor. Hatton, known for his aggressive style, achieved 45 victories and suffered three defeats in his career, but it was his personality that made him an idol for many. His popularity transcended borders, as demonstrated by the thousands of people who accompanied him to Las Vegas to see him fight against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton suffered his first professional defeat against Mayweather in 2007, and two years later, a knockout against Pacquiao marked the beginning of his decline. In 2012, a comeback attempt against Vyacheslav Senchenko revealed Hatton’s difficulties in adapting to life outside the ring. Hatton was also a supporter of charitable causes and dedicated himself to training, showing his commitment to the community. In July, he announced his return to professional boxing in Dubai. Manchester police reported that there were no suspicious circumstances in his death.