Quite sadly ironic that on the day of the Manchester Derby, one of Manchester’s greatest sons passes on. Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton embodied everything that is needed to be a top fighting British sporting icon, and particularly in the fight game. And just as his beloved Manchester City conquered their sport, Ricky did the same. And just as only a few hours ago, I watched Terrence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez put on a boxing masterclass, Ricky often did the same. Body shots, power and speed, the heart of a lion, and an undeniable desire to succeed and a passion for the sport of boxing like none before him. But for me, what separated Ricky from others was he really did feel like a man of the people. Somebody we all could relate to in different ways, not like the millionaire sports stars that seem like they don’t exist on our planet that dominate the headlines on the front and back pages of today. And sure, Ricky had his demons, but his ability to come back and reach the top of his sport, to win world titles, to take on greats like Mayweather, really did make him seem like he was one of us.
Hatton was born 6th October 1978 in Stockport (Greater Manchester). After a trial for the Rochdale youth football team, Hatton first began his eventual career in boxing by training at a local boxing club in Hyde (Greater Manchester). A love for the sport of boxing was further cemented when a young Hatton attended the famous rematch between British boxing icons Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank at Old Trafford in October of 1993. Within a few years, Ricky Hatton had established himself in the amateur boxing ranks, with 7 British titles to his name by the time he turned professional in 1998.
11th September 1997, on his pro boxing debut, Hatton scored a first round KO win over Colin McAuley, in the modest setting of the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes. His second professional boxing fight, another win, came inside the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden in New York. In 1999, Hatton was named ‘Young Boxer of the Year’ by the British Boxing Writers’ Club. In May of that year, he won the WBO intercontinental light welterweight title, and very quickly began to gain a reputation of not only someone who won fights, but won them quickly. By the turn of the century, Hatton was 16-0 as a professional, a WBO Champion, and only 21 years old. Even after that, Hatton overcome eye cuts and plastic surgery in previous bouts and int he aftermath to the point where in March 2001, Hatton beat Tony Pep by TKO to win the vacant WBU light-welterweight title. This was a title Hatton would hold for the next four years plus. By the end of 2004, Hatton was 38-0, and already one of British boxing’s top stars.
But the best was yet to come for Ricky, and if you look into anything further that I mention in this blog, make it this next fight. On June 4th 2005, in his hometown of Manchester, Ricky Hatton would take on Kostya Tszyu for the IBF and Ring Magazine world titles. Tszyu was a legend of the sport already, and at 35 he had been champion for well over 10 years. This would need to be one of the biggest upsets in British boxing history.
It ended up being one of the greatest night’s of boxing this country has ever seen.
Ricky had done it. The ordinary lad from Manchester, was now champion of the WORLD! He beat a legend to do so, and was now a World star to match his icon status in the UK.
After retaining his titles later in 2005 in Sheffield, as well as adding the WBA (Unified) light-welterweight title, Hatton then made his way to America for a series of fights that saw him by the time we got to the middle of 2007, Hatton was the IBO, WBC International and The Ring light-welterweight champion. But next up… even at 43-0, Hatton would face THE ultimate challenge,
The fans were certainly there for Ricky (20,000 followed Hatton to Vegas from the UK), but a match against arguably one of the very best of all time was always going to be tricky. Joe Cortez (the referee for the fight) made the impossible truly so, sadly for our hero from Manchester.
Floyd got the win, and Hatton’s unbeaten record fell. But after the fight, Mayweather made it known that he had been in a FIGHT…
“Tough as Nails” I think just about sums it up. Floyd had won, and maybe Hatton was behind on the scorecards, but with a different referee, I do still wonder what couldn’t been if Ricky was allowed to go at it…
And whilst he had now been beaten, Ricky was not out. And his homecoming fight at the home of his beloved Manchester City in May of 2008 (in front of a record 55,000 crowd), he showed he still was a world class fighter in a dominating win over Mexican Juan Lazcano. And he followed that with another great win against Paulie Malignaggi. Within a year of his first career defeat, Hatton had recovered with two dominating wins. And so next up, another ultimate-level challenge. The OTHER best fighter of his generation…
On probably the toughest night of Hatton’s career, he simply was not of the level of his opponent.
A MONSTER of a left hand from Pacquiao, and that was your lot. And even that came after two knockdowns suffered by Hatton in round 1. Hatton had two defeats to his name, but with those coming against THE best, there was no shame to be had at all in defeat. This was still a fighting champion, and a warrior.
Hatton did though comeback, and I don’t think we could begrudge him giving it one last shot. After 3 years out of the ring, Hatton returned on September 14th 2012 against Ukrainian fighter Vyacheslav Senchenko, but was KO’d in the 9th round. He retired after the fight saying “I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it and I haven’t. I found out tonight it isn’t there no more”. He had earned the right to give it a try, but this legendary boxing career was over.
Something that stayed with Hatton throughout his career was his “Ricky Fatton” moniker (due to his tendency to fluctuate weight between fights, and his love of full English breakfasts and drinking Guinness). Experts said this was why he gassed out towards the end of his later fights, but Hatton seemed to laugh the critics off, as only Ricky could.
Away from his own boxing career, Hatton has his own ‘Hatton Promotions’ company, to cater for the next generations of boxers. He was also a key component in his son Campbell’s brief boxing career, as well as helping his friend Tyson Fury prepare for his first fight with Deontay Wilder in 2018. He also appeared on the TV show Dancing on Ice, and was awarded an MBE in 2007. There was even due to be a comeback of sorts later this year, but of course it was not to be.
Tributes from all corners of boxing and beyond came in, when the sad news of Ricky’s passing came on September 14th 2025:
Tyson Fury: RIP to the legend, Ricky Hatton. There will only be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this, so young
Amir Khan: Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton. As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other. Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.
Manchester City FC: Manchester City are devastated to learn Ricky Hatton has passed away, aged 46. Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career that saw him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight. Everyone at the Club would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. We can confirm there will be a minute’s appreciation ahead of today’s game against Manchester United.
Frank Warren: I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton. A superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before due to both his personality and the entertainment he provided in the ring. From making his debut Widnes in 1997 to then go on to win one of the most historic fights in British boxing history against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester, Ricky will rightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport. My deepest condolences go out to his family at this awful time
Manny Pacquiao: I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ricky Hatton. He was not only a great fighter inside the ring but also a brave and kind man in life. We shared unforgettable moments in boxing history and I will always honor the respect and sportsmanship he showed. Ricky fought bravely, not just in the ring, but in his journey through life. He truly had a good fight, and we are all blessed to have been part of his wonderful journey. My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the Hatton family and all his loved ones. May the Lord give you strength and comfort in this difficult time. May he rest in peace.’
From my own point of view, I am most grateful for Ricky being so open and honest about his own mental health struggles on a number of occasions.
He will be immortal for his boxing career. But for me, he is equally so for his honesty about his mental demons and the fight he had outside the ring with his own mind. Thank You Rocky, you have no idea how much someone like you talking helps.
Hatton got the final tribute he’d of always wanted, with his team Manchester City paying tribute to their famous fan, before winning the Manchester derby against arch-rivals United 3-0. As someone without a dog in that fight, I thought it quite fitting for The Hitman, that his team did the business for him today.
Always and forever, there really is only ONE Ricky Hatton.
Josh.