Paddy McGuinness has shared a heartfelt memory of the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton during a star-studded tribute event held at the AO Arena in Manchester. The comedian and former boxer Tony Bellew were among those attending the celebration of Hatton's life and career.
A Night to Remember
The tribute, titled Evening4Ricky, took place on Sunday, June 7, and was described as a 'Las Vegas-style' event. Organisers transformed the arena into a reimagined boxing stage, with a line-up of artists and performers taking part in a series of entertainment 'rounds'. The night was dedicated to Hatton, who passed away in September last year at the age of 46.
Paddy's Fond Memory
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, McGuinness recalled a special moment at the same venue that had nothing to do with boxing. He said: 'We did Phoenix Nights live here, and he came along to watch us. We spotted him and got him to stand up, and the entire arena started singing 'there's only one Ricky Hatton'. It wasn't even his gig, and he managed to steal the limelight from us. For me, that's the image I have of him.'
McGuinness added: 'We all have unfortunately experienced loss, and the agony and pain doesn't get easier. Nights like this show how loved he is and how everyone holds him in our hearts.'
Tony Bellew's Tribute
Tony Bellew also paid tribute, imagining what Hatton would say to him about his outfit. 'I can hear him saying, 'What are you doing with them shoes on? Are they Michael Jackson's?' That's something he would have said to me,' Bellew laughed. 'He always found a way to tear me up, but he was an absolute icon of sport and of people. You've got Scousers here fully backing Mancunians — you'll never see that. That's how much he meant as a person, as a human being, as a boxer.'
Ricky Hatton's Legacy
Hatton, known as 'The Hitman', was best known for his epic clashes with Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. At the time of his death, he was planning a return to the ring after a 13-year hiatus, with a fight scheduled for December. His son Campbell described him as 'fearless' at an inquest, adding that he 'lived his life in and out of the ring at a hundred per cent and never regretted it'.
The tribute event drew a star-studded crowd, all united in celebrating the life of a man who left an indelible mark on the world of boxing and beyond.
