Thousands bid farewell to Ricky Hatton: Boxing legend receives final farewell

Sports and Entertainment Figures Bid Farewell to Ricky Hatton

The world of sports and entertainment came together to bid farewell to former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton, who passed away at the age of 46. The funeral ceremony, held at Manchester Cathedral, brought together prominent figures who paid tribute to the legend of the ring. Among the attendees were figures such as Liam Gallagher, leader of Oasis, the renowned boxer Tyson Fury, and football star Wayne Rooney. The presence of these personalities underlines Hatton’s impact, both in boxing and in popular culture. 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 nod to the boxer’s fondness for the program.

The funeral procession included significant stops at Hatton’s boxing gym and the AO Arena, the scene of his greatest triumphs, highlighting his victory over Kostya Tszyu. Thousands of people gathered in the streets to show their respect for Hatton, while the private memorial service took place in the city’s cathedral. The ceremony was attended by other relevant figures from British boxing, such as Tony Bellew and Frank Bruno, as well as the former England cricket captain, Andrew Flintoff.

Following the service, the commemorative march continued towards the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, a team of which Hatton was a fervent supporter. The news of Hatton’s death was known hours before the Manchester derby, which led to a minute of applause in his honor by the players and fans of both teams. Hatton’s fighting style earned him 45 victories and only three defeats in 48 fights. His charisma and approachability made him an idol for fans around the world. His popularity took him to Las Vegas, where he faced Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, leaving an unforgettable memory in the collective memory of boxing. Hatton suffered his first professional defeat against Mayweather in 2007, and a knockout against Pacquiao in 2009 marked the beginning of his decline. After retiring, Hatton became an ambassador for mental health charities and participated in an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022. He had announced his return to professional boxing in Dubai in December. Greater Manchester Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.