Ricky Hatton’s legendary career
Hatton’s all-action style brought him 45 wins and three defeats from 48 contests but it was his down-to-earth demeanour that especially endeared him to fellow professionals and fans around the world.
That was evidenced by tens of thousands following him to Las Vegas, where he fought the two pound-for-pound greatest fighters of his era in Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao, with stories of UK fans singing ‘there’s only one Ricky Hatton’ and drinking Sin City dry going down in boxing folklore.
Hatton’s standout triumph was perhaps his stoppage of Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in 2005.
Hatton suffered his first professional defeat when he was stopped by Mayweather in 2007 while a vicious second-round knockout by Pacquiao two years later precipitated his fall from top-level boxing.
A misguided comeback attempt against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012 marked the first public admission Hatton was struggling to cope in retirement.
Hatton, right, beat Kostya Tszyu in 2005, arguably the finest moment of his career (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Archive)
Athena Stavrou10 October 2025 07:57
Mapped: Today’s procession route
Athena Stavrou10 October 2025 07:37
Watch: British boxing icon Ricky Hatton dies aged 46British boxing icon Ricky Hatton dies aged 46
Athena Stavrou10 October 2025 07:31
Thousands expected to line the streets to pay tribute
Thousands of people are expected to turn out in Manchester to pay their respects to late boxing star Ricky Hatton.
Members of the public will be allowed to line the route of the funeral procession on Friday as boxing and sport stars are also expected to pay tribute in Manchester.
Tributes flooded in after news of Hatton’s death emerged last month, including from former world heavyweight champions Frank Bruno, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, fellow Briton Amir Khan, one-time foe Manny Pacquiao and Roberto Duran, Hatton’s hero.
Ricky Hatton died at his home in Hyde on Sunday, September 14 (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou10 October 2025 07:26
Route and timings announced ahead of procession through Manchester
A funeral procession will start at 9.45am at the Cheshire Cheese Pub – Hatton’s local – and goes to Manchester Cathedral, with thousands expected to line the streets to reflect on his life and times.
The cortege includes stops at Hatton’s boxing gym and the AO Arena, where he enjoyed some of his finest nights, the highlight indisputably being a win over the celebrated Kostya Tszyu on a raucous night 20 years ago to capture his first world title.
Following a private memorial service at midday, the commemorative march will head to the Etihad Stadium, the home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City.
(Getty Images)
Athena Stavrou10 October 2025 07:19
Funeral for British boxing legend Ricky Hatton to be held today, after his death aged 46
Thousands of well-wishers are expected to gather in and around Manchester to pay tribute to the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton, after his sudden death last month.
Today, a funeral will take place at Manchester Cathedral at 12pm, after a procession begins at 9:45am in Hyde and travels into the city itself.
The Independent will be on the ground to speak to those gathered, and to convey the atmosphere on what is sure to be an emotional day – just four days after Hatton would have turned 47.
Athena Stavrou10 October 2025 07:15