Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell fought back tears as he delivered an emotional eulogy at the boxing legend’s funeral in Manchester. The 24-year-old told mourners at Manchester Cathedral: “Never has a father and son had so much in common. I looked up to my dad in every aspect of life. I can’t explain how much I’m going to miss you dad.”
Hatton’s daughter Millie, 13, also paid tribute, asking: “Why did you feel that way? Why didn’t you reach out about the way you felt?” A moving tribute from Hatton’s mother Carol was read by Canon Grace Thomas, describing him as a “little champ from the day he was born.”
Thousands of mourners lined the streets as the funeral procession began at the Cheshire Cheese pub, Hatton’s local, led by a Reliant Robin van from Only Fools and Horses. The cortege stopped at Hatton’s boxing gym and the AO Arena, where he won his first world title against Kostya Tszyu 20 years ago.
Among the attendees were Liam Gallagher, Tyson Fury, Wayne Rooney, Andrew Flintoff, and boxing figures such as Frank Bruno and Tony Bellew. Former Sky Sports commentator Adam Smith said: “There is, there was and only ever will be one Ricky Hatton.”
Hatton, a two-weight world champion, was found dead at his home in Hyde on September 14 at the age of 46. A compilation of his greatest moments was played to the congregation over Oasis’s Live Forever.
