Ricky Hatton Receives Emotional Farewell as Manchester Mourns boxing Icon
Manchester, England – Thousands lined the streets of Stockport today to pay their final respects to boxing legend Ricky Hatton, whose funeral procession culminated in an outpouring of grief and remembrance. The outpouring of support underscored Hatton’s enduring legacy as “the people’s champion,” a fighter who transcended the sport to become a cultural icon for working-class Manchester and beyond.
hatton’s death on October 28th, at the age of 45, sent shockwaves through the boxing world and his hometown. Today’s procession reflects the profound impact he had, not only as a world champion but as a relatable and generous figure who connected with fans on a deeply personal level. The event serves as a poignant reminder of Hatton’s ability to unite communities and inspire generations, and marks a moment of collective mourning for a beloved son of Manchester.
Outside the Cheshire Cheese pub, friends mike Lunney and Martin Taylor, who travelled to Las Vegas in 2007 to support Hatton, reflected on his extraordinary reach. “look around you,” Lunney observed, “There’s as many people here as there where in Vegas. Who else can do that? That many people following you over there at your best,and this many people paying their respects once you’re gone?”
Taylor emphasized Hatton’s down-to-earth nature and genuine kindness.”He was a humble and kind person who was loved by everyone he met,” he said. “this is just a normal working-class place and he resonated with people as of who he was. He would talk to people, buy them a drink and talked to people like he was a nobody, but he was so much more than a nobody to so many people.”
The hearse carrying Hatton’s coffin was adorned with a tribute from the World Boxing Council and some of his boxing pads, a visual depiction of his celebrated career. Lunney added, “They say people only get their flowers when they can’t smell them. I hope he knew what he meant to people. Not just to the city or to his fans but to people he met. He was the people’s champion for a reason, he was the best person you could meet, he’d buy everyone a round and chat to you all night. He was the Hitman but he was also Ricky, and he’ll be missed.”
