In Ricky Hatton’s first interview with the MEN, the then 13-year-old boxing prodigy revealed a surprise offer he received after a tournament in Denmark
Boxing prodigy Ricky Hatton aged 13(Image: Mirrorpix)
This week, Greater Manchester and boxing fans across the world have been trying to come to terms with the sad news that Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.
The Mancunian icon was found dead at his home in Gee Cross, Hyde, on Sunday morning (September 14) by his friend and long-time manager Paul Speak. Ricky’s cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said there are ‘not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances’.
Following news of Ricky’s death, tributes have poured in from across the world of boxing and beyond for the widely adored world champion. Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said the ‘Hit Man’ was “not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life.”
Those who grew up watching the boxer from Hyde will remember not just his skill in the ring but also the excitement and pride he brought to Greater Manchester. Quite simply, he will go down as one of the greatest British fighters ever.
In the weeks before his death, he spoke of his legacy with online boxing channel First Round TV.
“I didn’t want to be the best that we’ve ever had,” Ricky said. “But I think I always dreamed of hopefully being up there, mentioned in the same bracket.
“I didn’t want to be No. 1. As long as they can turn around and say, as they do today…Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton, Carl Froch, Frank Bruno. And when they mention Ricky Hatton in amongst my heroes, I’ll never ever wake up from that.”
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During his boxing career, the ‘Hit Man’ won 45 of his 48 fights – winning and defending multiple world champion title belts at light welterweight and welterweight.
While his name would eventually become synonymous with the most feared boxers of the era, his potential as a boxing prodigy caught the eye of the Russian national boxing team when he was just a boy.
In October 1991, the brilliant 13-year-old boxer, weighing just six stone six pounds and still going by the name Richard Hatton, had just defeated a Finnish champion during a tournament in Copenhagen.
The Soviet national team was also in attendance, just months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December of that same year.
Just minutes after watching the young boxer dismantle his opponent in the ring, the Soviets queued up for his autograph.
Young fighter Richard Hatton, aged 13 from Hyde, poses holding a fish after defeating a Finnish championship boxer at an international tournament in Copenhagen. October 23, 1991(Image: Mirrorpix)
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News then, Ted Peake, coach of Hyde’s Louvolite amateur boxing club, said: “The Russian national coach said he had never seen a fighter like him.
“He came over right away and invited Richard to box in Russia – and he was deadly serious.”
The boxing club coach had taken four fighters, including Ricky, to the 14-nation tournament. But days later, Ricky’s landlord dad, Ray, who ran the New Inn on Mottram Road, received an even bigger surprise.
Ray received a letter from the Kaigi Independent Boxing Club, near Riga, Latvia (then part of the Soviet Union), offering the Hattersley High School boy free accommodation and other sports facilities – and a few extras.
Young fighter Richard Hatton, aged 16. July 21, 1995(Image: Mirrorpix)
“The letter said he could fish for free in their river and 30 ponds and pick as many berries and mushrooms as he liked,” Ray told the MEN.
“It was genuine enough. It had their Sport Ministry’s stamp on the bottom.”
In his first interview with the newspaper, the 13-year-old future boxing legend told a journalist, “I would like to go, but we will have to see.
“They told me I look Russian because of my short, fair hair.”
Ricky Hatton continued to pile up the victories and titles during his amateur boxing career before he turned professional at the age of 18.
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