Campbell Hatton has spoken publicly about the outpouring of support his family has received following the death of his father, former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton, describing it as both overwhelming and a “blessing” during an incredibly demanding time.
The 25-year-old told BBC Radio Manchester that while the family has struggled to grieve privately due to intense public attention, the kindness shown by strangers has provided unexpected comfort. His comments came ahead of a tribute event scheduled for June 7, 2026, at Manchester’s AO Arena to celebrate his father’s legacy.
“As a family we’ve not been able to grieve with any privacy and there’s a lot of negatives that have come 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,” Campbell said in the interview published on April 22, 2026.
He emphasized that though the loss is felt deeply across the boxing world and beyond, to him and his siblings, Ricky Hatton was simply “just my dad to me.” This personal perspective has helped ground the family amid the widespread mourning.
The support became particularly evident during Ricky Hatton’s funeral procession in October 2025, when thousands of people lined the streets from Hyde to Manchester Cathedral. Campbell recalled that the funeral car took three hours to complete the route, with crowds filling every section of the path.
“There just wasn’t part of the route that wasn’t full of people. We couldn’t see 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,” he told BBC Radio Manchester.
Since the funeral, Campbell noted that members of the public continue to approach the family in public to express their condolences and share memories of Ricky Hatton. These interactions, while sometimes unexpected, have been viewed positively by the family as a sign of the boxer’s lasting impact.
Ricky Hatton, known as “The Hitman,” died at his home in Greater Manchester on September 14, 2025, at the age of 46. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that his death was not being treated as suspicious. He leaves behind three children: Campbell, Millie, and Fearne.
During his professional boxing career, Hatton held world titles at light-welterweight and welterweight, retiring in 2011 with a record of 45 wins and two losses. He was widely celebrated for his connection to fans and his working-class roots in Hyde, Manchester.
The upcoming Evening4Ricky event on June 7, 2026, at the AO Arena aims to honor his life and career in a celebratory atmosphere. Campbell described it as “exactly what he would be doing – he’d be having a party,” adding that while the night will be emotional, it does not need to be solely sad.
“I feel everyone in boxing, if they’re available, they aim for to be here and that is a testament to the man he was. It’s massive for people,” he said. “I think it will be impossible for it to end up being a sad occasion.”
The event will take place at a venue where Hatton achieved some of his greatest successes, and where both Campbell and his brother Matt have also competed professionally. For the family, returning to the AO Arena carries emotional significance as part of the healing process.
As the family prepares for this public tribute, they continue to balance private grief with the reality of living in the shadow of a beloved public figure. Campbell’s reflections highlight how communal support can coexist with personal loss, offering a nuanced view of mourning in the public eye.
For ongoing updates about the Evening4Ricky event and other tributes to Ricky Hatton, readers are encouraged to check official announcements from the AO Arena and verified sports news outlets.
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