Campbell Hatton has paid a poignant tribute to his late father, boxing legend Ricky Hatton, on what would have been the former world champion's 47th birthday. In a social media post, the 24-year-old wrote: 'Happy birthday, wish we was spending it together.' Ricky Hatton died last month at his home in Manchester, with his funeral set to take place at Manchester Cathedral on Friday.
The funeral procession will begin at Cheshire Cheese on Stockport Road in Hyde, passing significant landmarks including Harehill Tavern, The New Inn (where doves will be released), Hatton’s gym, Hyde Town Hall, Betta Bodies Gym, and the AO Arena before reaching the cathedral. A private memorial service will be followed by a procession to the Etihad Stadium. Supporters have been invited to line the streets to pay their respects.
Campbell, who retired from professional boxing in July, gave an emotional interview with ITV last week, describing the family as 'absolutely heartbroken' and the death as 'so unexpected.' He said: 'We had so many plans coming up, so it has knocked us for six. He used to call me his little Mini-Me... To so many, he was Ricky Hatton the boxer, but to me, he was just my dad.'
Former middleweight champion Darren Barker conducted Ricky Hatton's final interview less than a week before his death, recording a podcast at Hatton's gym in Manchester. Barker recalled: 'He was perfectly Ricky Hatton... so funny, so warm. He was just a person that everyone wanted to be around; a great man, a boxing man, a family man, the people's man.'
In partnership with the Daily Star, the Manchester Evening News is campaigning to continue Hatton's legacy regarding men's mental health, raising funds for Andy's Man Club and the Campaign Against Living Miserably. Donations can be made online to support the charities close to the former champion's heart.
