Manchester stood still on Friday as the city’s favourite son,
Ricky Hatton, was laid to rest.
Thousands lined the streets to pay tribute to the much-loved Hitman, who
died on September 14.
Among the mourners were the likes of two-time world heavyweight champion
Tyson Fury, former unified light-welterweight champion Amir Khan and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, who once carried Hatton’s belts to the ring.
The funeral cortege, which consisted of seven vehicles, started outside the Cheshire Cheese pub in Hyde, greater Manchester, only a short walk from Hatton’s home. His sky blue coffin, in tribute to Manchester City, was carried, among others, by his brother Matthew Hatton and long-time manager Paul Speak.



The famous Hatton band, bedecked in tracksuits bearing his name, played as it stopped at Manchester Cathedral where 900 guests gathered to hear touching eulogies from his three children Campbell, Millie and Fearne, as well as a tribute from his mother Carol.
The procession then continued east to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium for its final stop.
Following news of Hatton's death last month, some of boxing's biggest stars, including Anthony Joshua, Fury and Manny Pacquiao, paid tribute to the man who had an immeasurable impact on the sport.
Hatton made his name fighting at local leisure centres before graduating to big fight nights at Manchester Arena, where his crowning moment came against overwhelming favourite Kostya Tszyu in 2005.
Hatton made the Australian quit on his stool before the start of the 12th round, capturing The Ring and IBF junior welterweight titles in the process.



His fanfare only grew, as tens of thousands of fans followed him to the United States where title fights with Luis Collazo, Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao followed.
Hatton's struggles away from the ring were well-documented, however, and after three-and-a-half years away from the sport following the Pacquiao defeat, he returned and finally retired in 2012 after a brave, losing effort against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
Following his retirement, Hatton worked as a promoter, a trainer and a pundit, and he even managed to oversee the 16-fight career of his son, Campbell.
Hatton is survived by Campbell, his daughters, Millie and Fearne Hatton; his granddaughter, Lyla; and his parents, Carol and Ray. He also had a brother, former world title challenger Matthew Hatton.
Photo credits: Getty.