Ricky Hatton’s family have announced plans for his funeral, almost two weeks after the former world champion boxer was found dead aged 46.
In a statement shared on social media today, the relatives of the former world champion confirmed there will be a memorial service ‘celebrating the life of Richard Hatton MBE’ at Manchester Cathedral on Friday 10th October 2025 at 12pm.
Entry to the cathedral will be by invitation only but members of the public are welcome to pay their respects outside, with a procession route to be published in the coming days.
The announcement comes as tributes continue to pour in for the man affectionately known as ‘The Hitman’, whose sudden death earlier this month shocked the sporting world.
Hatton, who was discovered at his home in Manchester earlier this month by his manager Paul Speak, was remembered by friends, fans and fellow fighters as one of the most popular boxers Britain has ever produced.
Manny Pacquiao hailed Hatton as ‘a great fighter… a brave and kind man,’ noting that he will always honour the respect and sportsmanship Hatton showed.
Queensberry promoter Frank Warren called him a ‘modern great’ who inspired a generation of boxers and fans alike.
While Eddie Hearn commented, ‘Everybody loved Ricky. May he rest in eternal peace,’ offering condolences to his family.
Tyson Fury remembered him on social media, writing ‘RIP to the legend @rickyhatton… There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton.’
While David Haye paid tribute, calling Hatton ‘honest to the core’ and ‘a warrior… someone who defined what being a champion truly means.’
Hatton’s official cause of death is yet to be determined.
During his fighting career, Hatton was an aggressive and brave fighter who held multiple world and UK titles between 1997 and 2012 – including the night he toppled Kostya Tszyu to go from underdog to boxing sensation overnight.
Hatton was due for a dramatic return to the sport with a fight planned in Dubai in December – but had often spoke of his struggles with mental health issues, drug addiction and suicidal thoughts.
In an interview with the BBC in 2022, he opened up about ‘hitting rock bottom’ after a crushing defeat to boxing great Manny Pacquiao, where he was knocked out in the second round at the peak of his own powers.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport last year, he recalled the atmosphere in the dressing room after that particular defeat. He said: ‘It was like a death in the family when we went back to the changing rooms. You don’t see many more brutal knockouts than that.
‘To see your mate or your loved one knocked out in that manor must have been very very hard. I think people were thinking Ricky needs to hang his gloves up now after being knocked out like that.
‘You know, he’s had his day. He’s had 45 fights. The way I was living my life and ballooning up and down in weight wouldn’t have done my body or mental health any good.’
He went on to add ‘The thing is people never really knew how bad I was in terms of my mental health. I always shielded it from my family and my loved ones.
‘I didn’t want to tell them how bad it was because I didn’t want to worry them. I am certainly not going to go to my mates and say I am crying everyday. I want to kill myself. You just don’t do it. But, they knew I was in a bad place mentally. But, they didn’t know how bad it was.’
‘But, I went through a period where I didn’t care whether I lived or died. I thought to myself, f****ing hell Rick this is bad. You need to sort yourself out. I went and saw a psychiatrist in Manchester and said you need to tell me what to do otherwise I won’t be here next week, I’m going to kill myself.’
Hatton had appeared in good spirits in the days before his death. His final post on Instagram showed him keeping fit in the gym ahead of a highly-anticipated return to the ring in December. The Mancunian had also filmed an uplifting video in his final week for a child who was the victim of bullying.
However, Hatton did tell the Daily Mail that he felt boxing as a sport needed to do more to protect its athletes. He felt the governing bodies could take a page out of football’s book.
‘Footballers have a club to look after them. They also have the PFA where they looked after. Footballers get testimonials, whereas in boxing they are on their own. Promoters are like you’re making money great. Now who is the next prospect. It’s a shame but it’s always been like that boxing.
‘The way that the sport is and the way you have to go through with the intent of hurting your opponent, it’s hard. Don’t forget, boxers don’t come from Cambridge or Oxford either. They come from council estates.
‘We don’t know how to deal with money. We don’t know how to deal with mental health. The promoter just move onto the next prospect. I think more should be done to help boxers.
‘It’s a shame because how many times do you see boxers who win world titles, make their fortunes and then end up with nothing. We do need help, we’re not the brightest buttons in the box.’
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