The boxing world will come together in Manchester to say a final goodbye to Ricky Hatton, with his funeral confirmed for Friday, October 10, at Manchester Cathedral. The former world welterweight champion, who was 46, was found dead at his Hyde home on September 14. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his passing, which has left fans, family, and the wider sporting community in deep mourning.
The service at Manchester Cathedral will begin at 12 noon, just four days after what would have been Hatton’s 47th birthday. Attendance inside the cathedral will be by invitation only, but members of the public are being encouraged to line the streets to pay their respects as the procession makes its way through Manchester. The cortege will depart from the Cheshire Cheese pub on Stockport Road in Hyde at 9:45 a.m. and then move to Harehill Tavern, before doves are released at The New Inn in his honour. The procession will pause at Hatton’s Gym before continuing past Hyde Town Hall, Betta Bodies gym in Denton, and the AO Arena, before arriving at Manchester Cathedral. Following the private service, the hearse will travel to the Etihad Stadium, home of Hatton’s beloved Manchester City.
Hatton’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the world. Known as “The Hitman,” he became a national hero in 2005 when he stunned Kostya Tszyu to win the IBF world welterweight title in front of a home crowd in Manchester, a victory that propelled him into global stardom. His career later saw him take on boxing greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in the United States, with thousands of British fans following him to Las Vegas. Over the course of his 15-year career, he secured 45 wins from 48 professional bouts, cementing his place among Britain’s greatest fighters.
Away from the ring, Hatton was cherished for his down-to-earth personality, humour, and honesty about the mental health challenges he faced after retiring. His family revealed that in the days before his passing, he was in good spirits and looking forward to the future. He had packed for a trip to Dubai, where he was scheduled to promote a comeback fight against Eisa Al Dah on December 2, and had been planning a special celebration there with his daughters, Millie and Fearne. According to the family, he was especially excited that they would finally have the chance to watch him fight live. They added that he was a devoted grandfather, who loved spending time with Campbell and Lydia, and was also planning to spend more time in Tenerife.
In their statement, the family expressed how devastated they were, while also finding comfort in the overwhelming show of love and grief from fans worldwide. “The outpouring of grief and love from the nation and beyond shows how much Richard was loved,” they said. “In time, it will be something that gives us all comfort and pride.”
Hatton’s son, Campbell, paid his own tribute on social media, describing his heartbreak and the close bond he shared with his father. “Everybody has always said I was your double – never a truer word said,” he wrote. “Looked up to you in every aspect of life. Can’t explain how much I’m going to miss the laughs we had and all the good times, which I will remember forever. Just can’t believe we won’t have any more. Love you, Dad.”
Ricky Hatton will be remembered not only as a champion in the ring but also as a figure who connected deeply with ordinary people. His humility, courage, and fighting spirit made him a symbol of hope and resilience, and his funeral promises to be a farewell befitting the legacy of one of Britain’s most beloved boxing legends.
