Boxing greats gather at Ricky Hatton’s funeral to remember ‘people’s champion’
The streets of Manchester fell into a reverent hush, a silence that spoke louder than any roaring crowd, as thousands gathered to say a final farewell to Ricky Hatton, a man who was so much more than a boxer; he was the very embodiment of the fighting spirit, a local lad who scaled the dizzying heights of global stardom yet never lost the common touch that made him the undeniable ‘people’s champion. ’ In a powerful testament to a life lived with ferocious passion and genuine humility, the boxing world united in a collective embrace, a sea of light blue—the colours of his beloved Manchester City—washing over the sombre scene, a visual poem of loyalty and love.Former world champions like Tyson Fury, a titan in his own right, and Frank Bruno, a beloved figure of British sport, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with contemporaries like Amir Khan and Barry McGuigan, not as rivals or icons, but simply as mourners, their presence a silent acknowledgment of the standard Hatton set. ‘He was a fantastic fighter, one of the best out there,’ Khan reflected, his voice carrying the weight of the moment, ‘He obviously inspired so many fighters like us.He’ll be definitely remembered as one of the greatest to come out of Britain. He was always a people’s champion.’ This wasn't merely a funeral; it was a masterclass in legacy, a demonstration that true greatness is measured not just by the belts won or the punches thrown, but by the hearts captured and the communities galvanized. McGuigan, with the wisdom of a man who has seen generations of fighters come and go, saw beyond the spectacle to its profound meaning, noting how Hatton’s ascent from a highly promising amateur to a warrior who led legions of fans to Las Vegas for epic battles with legends like Floyd Mayweather was a lesson in leadership by example.‘It’s amazing but it’s not surprising to me because he was such a star, such a great human being,’ McGuigan said, his words painting a picture of a man whose character was as formidable as his left hook to the body. ‘I’m up here with my two boys because he demands the respect that a hero in boxing demands.He’s an amazing guy, and he was a phenomenal fighter, just incredible. He brought people together.’ And in that bringing together, in the shared memories and the collective grief, lies the ultimate victory. Tony Bellew, another who felt the ripple of Hatton’s influence, offered a memory that cut to the core of the champion’s aura, recalling a young amateur’s awe at watching Hatton train.‘I’ve watched thousands of fighters train over the years, hundreds of thousands, but after watching him, it’s the only fighter I’ve ever thought of and been in awe of them and thought, ‘that’s the standard,’’ Bellew revealed, articulating the intangible quality that separates the good from the legendary. It’s that standard—of relentless work ethic, of unvarnished authenticity, of joy in the struggle—that will echo in gyms across Manchester and beyond for decades to come.For someone who rose to such stratospheric levels of fame and fortune, to remain, as Bellew put it, ‘just one of the normal people, is unbelievable. ’ This is the final bell, not an end, but a transition of a champion’s spirit from the ring to eternity, a spirit that reminds us all that the most powerful punches are those that connect with the human soul, inspiring us to fight our own fights with the same heart, humour, and unshakeable integrity that defined Ricky Hatton.
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