Manchester Bids Farewell to Boxing Legend Ricky Hatton
Manchester is saying goodbye to the iconic boxer Ricky Hatton, who passed away last month at just 46 years old.
The funeral took place at the city’s cathedral on Friday, with fans gathering along the streets as mourners processed through the area.
Notable figures from the boxing world, including former champions Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, and Kell Brook, attended the service. Enthusiastic fans had been lining up outside the cathedral for hours before Hatton’s casket arrived.
“As a boxing fan and his friend, I think he left a huge legacy because he was one of the big names in boxing, not just in Manchester but in England as a whole,” Khan mentioned.
Outside the cathedral, a brass band played a rendition of Hatton’s anthem, “Hutton’s Walk in Wonderland,” which was set to the tune of “Winter Wonderland.”
Hatton, a two-time world champion at light welterweight and welterweight, was found dead in his Greater Manchester home. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed, although family and friends say he had openly battled mental health issues.
Friday’s memorial was a meaningful tribute to Hatton, who was cherished by many in Manchester and beyond. He had legions of fans who followed him closely during his career, especially during his significant appearances in America.
Interestingly, his last fight in 2012 took place right next to the cathedral at the Manchester Arena, where he faced Vyacheslav Senchenko, in which he suffered a stoppage loss. That arena held memories of his standout victory in 2005, when he wrested the IBF light welterweight title from Kostya Chu.
Three years later, Hatton captivated his supporters again with a thrilling match against Juan Lazcano, filling the arena that he loved. His most significant challenges, however, came in bouts against legendary fighters Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, where his dedicated fans transformed the Strip into his hometown atmosphere.
Khan reflected on Hatton’s influence, saying, “If you think about what Ricky did, he took boxing to a new level, especially here in England. Seeing him succeed in America inspired me to want to go there too.”
