United Kingdom Ricky Hatton funeral: Coverage as Manchester mourns boxing icon, Stars among mourners arriving for service in Manchester
Ricky Hatton Funeral: Manchester’s Emotional Farewell to ‘The Hitman’On October 10, 2025—coinciding with World Mental Health Day—thousands of mourners lined the rain-swept streets of Greater Manchester to bid a heartfelt goodbye to boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who tragically passed away at his Hyde home on September 14, 2025, at age 46. The former two-weight world champion, known as “The Hitman,” was celebrated not just for his ferocious ring style but as a Mancunian icon who embodied resilience, humor, and unwavering loyalty to his roots. His death, not treated as suspicious by Greater Manchester Police, came amid Hatton’s public battles with depression and alcohol, issues he openly addressed in his 2023 documentary Hatton. The funeral procession and service underscored his enduring impact, drawing boxing royalty, celebrities, and everyday fans in a display of communal grief and gratitude.The Procession: A Route Through Hatton’s HeartThe day began at 9:45 AM with an 18-mile cortege departing from Hatton’s Gee Cross home, symbolizing his journey from local lad to global star. The route wove through key landmarks of his life, allowing fans to pay respects:
- Gee Cross to Hyde: Starting near his family home, it paused outside the former New Inn pub (once run by his parents, where a basement gym sparked his passion) for a dove release.
- Hyde Highlights: Stops at Betta Bodies gym (his training ground), Energie Fitness Hyde Ricky Hatton (opened by Muhammad Ali in 2009), and Hyde Town Hall, where crowds waved Manchester City scarves emblazoned with “There’s Only One Ricky Hatton.”
- Into Manchester City Centre: Passing the AO Arena (site of his 2005 IBF welterweight triumph over Kostya Tszyu) and his favorite haunt, the Cheshire Cheese pub, where brass bands played his signature fight anthems like Oasis tracks.
- Arrival at Manchester Cathedral: The hearse reached the cathedral by noon for the private service, after which mourners headed to the Etihad Stadium—home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City—for further tributes.
Streets were awash in blue (City’s colors), with floral tributes, boxing gloves, Guinness cans, and Only Fools and Horses memorabilia reflecting Hatton’s cheeky persona. Chants of “Blue Moon” and emotional renditions of his walkout song echoed as the cortege passed, with one fan noting, “He was the saint of Manchester—put our city on the map when no one cared.” Thousands braved the drizzle, many in custom T-shirts, creating a sea of solidarity that halted traffic and united rivals from Manchester City and United fans alike.The Cathedral Service: Intimate Yet IconicThe 12 PM service at Manchester Cathedral was invitation-only, attended by 500 close family, friends, and peers. Led by the Dean of Manchester, it featured eulogies emphasizing Hatton’s warmth beyond the ring. Highlights included:
- A brass band performance of his fight tunes, evoking his electric entrances.
- Readings from his children—son Campbell Hatton, who posted an eight-word tribute on what would have been Ricky’s 47th birthday: “Dad, you were my hero, always will be”—and granddaughter.
- Personal anecdotes from brother Matthew Hatton (a former boxer) and manager Paul Speak, who credited Ricky with elevating Manchester City’s global profile during lean years.
The order of service, passed among early arrivals, included photos from his career and messages like “A warrior in the ring, a gentleman out of it.”Notable Attendees: Boxing Stars and Celebrities UniteThe event drew a constellation of sports and entertainment figures, underscoring Hatton’s cross-generational appeal:
| Name | Relation/Highlight |
|---|---|
| Tyson Fury | Heavyweight champ; arrived in a bold self-portrait suit, shared a touching video tribute: “There’ll never be another Ricky—my hero, my friend.” |
| Amir Khan | Rival-turned-mentee; called Hatton “a massive inspiration” and “warrior” on social media. |
| Chris Eubank Jr. | IBO middleweight champ; saluted with “Rest in Peace, Mr. Ricky Hatton. We salute you.” |
| Tony Bellew | Former cruiserweight; tweeted “Heaven has gained an angel with boxing gloves.” |
| Calum Best | Son of George Best; lifelong friend, seen consoling family. |
| KSI (Olajide Olatunji) | YouTuber/boxer; paid respects as a modern fan. |
| Coronation Street Stars (e.g., William Roache) | Local celebs honoring the Mancunian tie. |
| David Beckham | Ex-Man Utd star; earlier Instagram post: “Ricky was one of a kind.” |
Frank Warren, Hatton’s promoter, and Phil Foden (Man City midfielder) also attended, with Foden vowing the team would “do him proud” on the pitch.Manchester Mourns: Tributes and LegacyThe city has been in collective mourning since Hatton’s death, with books of condolence at his Hyde gym filling rapidly. A minute’s appreciation during the recent Man City vs. Man Utd derby saw fans from both sides applauding. Tributes poured in globally:
- WBA Statement: “A true champion… Your legacy will live on in every fight.”
- Frank Warren: “From Widnes debut to Tszyu epic—Ricky’s one of the modern greats.”
- Local Voices: Trainer Blain Younis: “Never meet your heroes? Impossible in Manchester—Ricky was ours.” Fan Paul Storr: “He ignited my passion for boxing as a teen.”
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