Fellow former boxing world champions paid tribute to “people’s champion” Ricky Hatton at his funeral in Manchester on Friday. According to
DAZN's coverage, sports stars mingled with celebrities at the service to remember a down-to-earth local hero who never changed despite fighting his way to fame and fortune. Former two-weight champion Amir Khan said: “He was a fantastic fighter, one of the best out there. He obviously inspired so many fighters like us. “He’ll be definitely remembered as one of the greatest to come out of Britain. (He was) very jolly, very fun, a very respected person and very nice. He was always a people’s champion. It’s great to be here to see so many of the boxing community come together to show our respect. Hundreds on the streets – that shows he was a popular man.”
Former heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Frank Bruno, and former featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, were also among those who paid their respects. McGuigan said Hatton always led by example during his ascent from a highly promising amateur to a world champion who led thousands of supporters to Las Vegas for epic battles with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Jose Luis Castillo. Referencing the large turn-out of fans, many clad in the light blue of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City, McGuigan said: “It’s amazing but it’s not surprising to me because he was such a star, such a great human being. I’m up here with my two boys because he demands the respect that a hero in boxing demands. He’s an amazing guy, and he was a phenomenal fighter, just incredible. He brought people together.”
Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew revealed how Hatton inspired him to fight his way up the rankings and ultimately achieve his lifelong dream. “For someone who rose to the levels of Ricky Hatton and to remain just one of the normal people, is unbelievable,” he said. “The best memory I have was going to the gym, watching him train for the first time. I was an amateur boxer at the time, just won the ABA title. I watched him train. I’ve watched thousands of fighters train over the years, hundreds of thousands, but after watching him, it’s the only fighter I’ve ever thought of and been in awe of them and thought, ‘that’s the standard’. An unbelievable person, an unbelievable father and person, always a laugh. He was usually the worst dressed, but he’d still find a way to tear the back out of you.”
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
SEPT. 14, 2025: A weekend that was a celebration for boxing ended in tragedy with the announcement of the death of Ricky Hatton at age 46. Hatton was a two-division champion and an iconic and beloved figure in British sport. He was a working class hero in the city of Manchester, England and his 2005 victory over Kostya Tszyu to win the world junior welterweight championship was one of the greatest nights in British boxing history. Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde on Sunday morning. Greater Manchester Police said they are not treating the death as suspicious.
A police spokesperson said: "Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man. There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances."
Hatton held multiple world championships at super-lightweight and one at welterweight during a 15-year professional career. The British boxing great had been due to make a comeback to the ring in December. Hatton's stellar career included epic fights against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao (both losses), a legendary triumph over Kostya Tszyu.
Sky Sports' Craig Slater said British sport has lost someone who truly captured the imagination of the boxing public. "He was a remarkable human being," he said. "I had the great pleasure of knowing him as a friend. I got to know him before he turned professional and this is devastating news for all of us that knew him. His was without question one of the great careers in British boxing. He had some nights which were without compare in British boxing history which took the sport to new heights and reached new audiences. He was a one-off. We can talk about the record and the number of fans that followed him around the world but this was a beloved son, father and friend to so many people who did so much good. What was great about him was that he was so unassuming, modest, quiet and there was a shy side to him as well. He wasn't someone who revelled in the spotlight. In box office terms and in terms of capturing the public's imagination, Ricky Hatton did that more than anyone else in the last half century in British boxing."
Paul Malignaggi, ex-champ who lost to Hatton: "Still can't believe Ricky is gone. We went from foes and bitter rivals at the elite level of this sport to two men whose image, though shaped in large part by our life as boxers, rarely actually discussed boxing when we'd see one another in person. Ricky was literally one of the funniest guys I ever met in my life both in and out of the boxing business and we shared various laughs each time we'd run into one another (mostly from him poking fun at me with his unique and witty humor). It is more for that sense of humor that I personally will remember him for even more than his boxing, because Ricky the man and the human being, though mostly known for his image in boxing, was so much more than boxing to those that knew him. He'll be missed for so many reasons and my heart hurts for the pain that his loved ones are feeling right now, because I know that those who loved him had a very deep love for him. I have a faith and hope to one day see you again champ, RIP."
Matthew Hatton, Ricky's brother and a former professional boxer: "Huge thank you to everyone who’s reached out over the last few days it’s very much appreciated & helped greatly. Rick lived life at a pace I’ve never seen he would cram more into a month than some lifetimes, I take comfort & hope he’s found the peace that eluded him in life."
Ex-champ Marco Antonio Barrera: "Ricky was a once in a lifetime man. I am eternally grateful I got to share the ring with him [in a 2022 exhibition]. May he rest in peace, he will be missed deeply. Ricky was my closest friend in boxing. I’ll miss you, my friend. There will only be one Ricky Hatton."
