Boxing commentator Adam Smith has revealed details of his poignant final conversation with the late Ricky Hatton. The duo had forged a strong friendship after the broadcaster documented The Hitman's ascent to boxing greatness.
Nearly twelve months have elapsed since the unexpected and devastating death of two-weight world champion Hatton. The Greater Manchester-born pugilist was discovered unresponsive at his residence aged 46 on September 14, 2025, with an inquest subsequently ruling that, due to unclear intent, his death could not be classified as a suicide. Hatton was laid to rest at Manchester Cathedral on October 10, with thousands lining the streets during his funeral procession, which travelled past his gym, local pub and concluded at the Etihad Stadium, home of his cherished Manchester City.
Final conversation recalled
The principal eulogy at the service was delivered by close friend Smith, who has now written a book honouring Hatton entitled Ricky Hatton: The Light That Never Goes Out. Within its pages, he recounts his final exchange with the legendary fighter, painfully observing that it was the "best he'd seen him in a while."
Smith also observed that Hatton's former partner, ex-Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney, noticed the fighter had grown increasingly contemplative in the period preceding his death. He agreed.
"My initial response was that this was a wind-up," wrote Smith upon learning of Hatton's death. "But that feeling quickly morphed into shock and a feeling of numbness, which I don't think has ever gone away. It's all just a blur.
"Rick and I saw each other on and off during 2025 and the last real chat we had was in Manchester a few weeks before the most heartbreaking day of the year.
Last meeting at Manchester Arena
"And guess where it was? At the Manchester Arena, right near the first steps of that monumental ring walk, where so many times 'Blue Moon' and boxing had fused together amidst a cacophony of noise and fervent support.
"Rewinding back, Rick seemed really calm, enjoying spending time with his young daughters and granddaughter and he talked a great deal about [son] Campbell too and what lay ahead in and out of boxing.
"I remember thinking that was the best I had seen Ricky in a while. That's my abiding memory. Not of an encroaching darkness. Claire noticed that he was reflective and in hindsight, he did mention some of those big nights, a euphoric recall of what had been and was now gone.
Final farewell
"When I gazed down at the coffin, I was waiting for reality to catch up with what I could see. What I could not bear to see. It never happened. We had stood at that iconic entrance chatting as old mates; the next time I saw Ricky was at the exit of his world.
"He'd seemed in great form, so content, so vibrantly alive. Now, in front of me was an unbearable stillness. It was eerie. Surreal. The world had slipped off its axis.
"Our hearts were broken; my mind, and all minds, just not computing that Ricky Hatton – the giant of a human being that he was – was gone."
