Campbell Hatton, son of the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton, has spoken publicly about the overwhelming public support his family received following his father’s death, describing the funeral procession as a deeply moving experience that highlighted the profound connection between the fighter and his hometown of Manchester.
In interviews with BBC Radio Manchester and other outlets, Campbell Hatton reflected on the emotional weight of seeing thousands of people line the streets during the funeral cortege from Hyde to Manchester Cathedral in October 2025. He described the sight as “something else,” emphasizing that while the family knew Ricky Hatton was beloved, witnessing the scale of public tribute firsthand was overwhelming.
“It means the world to us. It was no surprise, but the support we’ve got from everyone has even shocked us,” Campbell Hatton said. “There just wasn’t part of the route that wasn’t full of people. We couldn’t notice one bit of pavement in the three hours we were in the car. We knew how popular he was, but to actually see it, was something else.”
The funeral, held a month after Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home at the age of 46, drew significant attention from figures across sport and entertainment. Campbell Hatton noted that while the constant public attention has made private grieving difficult, he views the ongoing kindness from strangers as a blessing.
“As a family we’ve not been able to grieve with any privacy and there’s a lot of negatives that have reach from that – but if there’s a positive, it’s that people walking down the street say nice things and check up on us. That’s the blessing behind it,” he told BBC Radio Manchester. “To everyone it’s heartbreaking. Not just Manchester, the whole country and the sport are heartbroken because they have lost Ricky Hatton but it’s just my dad to me.”
Campbell Hatton, who has also pursued a professional boxing career, said the experience has reinforced his father’s legacy not just as a sports icon, but as a family man. He shared that since the funeral, members of the public have frequently approached him in public to express their condolences and share memories of Ricky Hatton.
“We were all so proud of the fanbase he had but to see it day to day… It’s nice. It shocked me the most at the funeral when we were in the cars making our way to the cathedral. There wasn’t a part of the route that wasn’t full of people. You couldn’t see a bit of pavement for the three hours we were in the car.”
In honor of his father’s memory, Campbell Hatton has been involved in organizing a special tribute event titled “Evening4Ricky,” scheduled for June 7, 2026, at the AO Arena in Manchester. The venue holds particular significance as it was the site of many of Ricky Hatton’s most celebrated victories during his career.
Campbell Hatton described the upcoming event as a celebration rather than a solemn occasion, saying it would reflect his father’s personality. “It’s going to be an emotional night, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a sad one. Campbell said the Evening4Ricky event would be ‘exactly what he would be doing – he’d be having a party.'”
He added that the strong desire from figures across boxing and entertainment to participate in the tribute underscores the lasting impact of Ricky Hatton’s character. “I think everyone in boxing, if they’re available, they want to be here and that is a testament to the man he was. It’s massive for people,” Campbell Hatton said. “I think it will be impossible for it to end up being a sad occasion.”
The continued public engagement with Ricky Hatton’s legacy illustrates the enduring affection for a fighter who became synonymous with Manchester’s sporting identity. His son’s reflections offer a personal perspective on the balance between public mourning and private loss, highlighting how communal grief can coexist with intimate family remembrance.
As the family prepares for the June 7 event, Campbell Hatton emphasized their ongoing efforts to honor Ricky Hatton’s memory in a way that feels authentic to who he was both in and out of the ring. The tribute serves not only as a celebration of his athletic achievements but also as a testament to the personal connections he fostered throughout his life.
For updates on the Evening4Ricky event and other tributes to Ricky Hatton, fans are encouraged to follow official announcements from the AO Arena and verified channels associated with the Hatton family.
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