Ricky Hatton's ex-fiancée Jennifer Dooley has spoken publicly for the first time since the boxer's death, revealing she always knew he wouldn't be an old man. Two more of The Hitman's former partners have also paid tribute in a new book commemorating him.
The sport was shaken to its core on September 14, 2025, when former two-weight world champion Hatton was found unresponsive in his home, aged 46. An inquest recorded a narrative verdict, concluding that while Hatton died by his own hand, his true intent remained unclear.
Funeral and Tribute Book
Thousands lined the streets on October 10, 2025, during Hatton's 14-mile funeral procession through Greater Manchester, with the service itself attended by 900 mourners. The eulogy was delivered by renowned broadcaster and commentator Adam Smith.
In tribute to Hatton, Smith has penned a book titled Ricky Hatton: The Light That Never Goes Out. He spoke to members of the Hatton family for this in memoriam, including three of the boxer's former flames, one of whom, Dooley, agonised: "I always knew he wasn't going to be an old man."
Claire Sweeney's Memories
Former Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney started dating Hatton in early 2024, but the two had gone back decades, having first met at various functions. When they both appeared on ITV's Dancing on Ice, they hit it off. The pair made their red-carpet debut in May 2024.
"I was better than him on the ice," she said, speaking to Adam for the book. "I miss the laughter, even after we split, we were great pals."
Sweeney and Hatton's relationship lasted less than a year as they went their separate ways in December 2024, but they remained close. She added: "I was blessed to be part of his life. He was such a good dad and I have a son so I understood. Ricky introduced me to his great mates. We spoke all the time. Ricky was the joker and although he had his deep moments, the only thing I noticed was that he became unusually reflective. He always had so much time for people."
"My happiest time was when I would come home from filming Corrie and we would cook a nice, healthy meal. Not naughty food. I even introduced him to an air fryer and it changed his life! Ricky would get so excited choosing a boxing movie for his home cinema. We would sit on the sofa and watch films. He was so normal. [But] I saw his vulnerabilities. He was not frightened to show me then. He was extreme, but he was wonderful. I loved being with all his mates at the pub on the estate or having a sing-song at home. So much laughter. He made me laugh so much."
Jennifer Dooley's Confession
Years before his relationship with Sweeney, Hatton was engaged to his long-term partner, Jennifer Dooley. Shortly after Hatton's world title win against Tszyu in 2005, the pair began dating and went on to have two daughters, Millie and Fearne. The Hitman already had a son, Campbell, with an ex-girlfriend in 2001. He was a grandfather to Campbell's daughter, Lyla.
Hatton and Dooley got engaged on Valentine's Day in 2009, but in the near-decade to follow, their relationship faced strain as Hatton battled alcoholism and substance abuse. Eventually, they parted in 2016 but remained on good terms and had learned to co-parent.
Dooley, who had only previously spoken regarding Hatton's death at his inquest, harrowingly said: "I always knew he wasn't going to be an old man. Rick was quite childlike and maybe he never really became an independent, fully functioning adult. I think that's why he got on with his kids so well. Rick's favourite time was with his girls.
"He lived for everybody else. He was vulnerable about mental health and so many have come to me since his passing and said they had been very close to the edge. Rick was really empathetic and looked at life through a wide lens, not concentrating on himself. He thought he was the same as everyone else, with small children, trying to navigate life, but he was actually a trailblazer. I wish we could have done something, but he wanted to save others. He was as daft as a brush but also so switched on, a contradiction, yes, but he felt very deeply. Millie and Fearne loved their time in the house with him. He was really affectionate and cuddly and they loved him hugely."
Maria Ganner's Tribute
The book also features a tribute from Smith's former Sky Sports colleague, production assistant Maria Ganner, who, it is claimed, dated Hatton for a short while before he met Dooley.
"Through my relationship with Richard, I have had this long relationship with his family and I feel so lucky and privileged that he gave me them," she said. "What I miss most about Richard is his sense of humour. He always made me laugh. He found the good in a bad situation and he was so relatable to so many people, just not out of reach. A normal, humble man with absolutely no airs and graces."
From defining moments such as his IBF world title win against Kostya Tszyu in front of an adoring home crowd, to his lows in defeats to both Floyd Mayweather in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009, Hatton defined the city of Manchester and etched his name into British boxing history.
