Eight Ricky Hatton tales youve rarely heard | Boxing News

The sporting world was left in shock on Sunday following the tragic news that boxing legend Ricky Hatton was discovered lifeless at his home, aged just 46. The Manchester-born icon, identified as ‘The Hitman’, was a beloved determine not only within the boxing group but also method past it.

Hatton earned fame in the ring thanks to his a number of world championships and the honour of being named the 2005 Fighter of the Year. He misplaced just thrice in his profession and was set for a closing comeback against Eisa Al Dah in December, but he was far more than just a boxer. From tv appearances to a deep curiosity in rock and roll, Express Sport delves into the lesser-known features of Hatton’s life that earned him the title, ‘The People’s Champion’.

His first love

Football was Hatton’s first ardour before boxing took over, and his deep-rooted love for Manchester City is well-known. But what many might not know is that he was also once half of the membership’s academy and dreamt of donning the well-known sky blue package.

Although he ultimately traded his soccer desires for a boxing profession, Hatton recurrently paid homage to City during his ring walks, often coming into to the tune of the City anthem, Blue Moon. In return, the membership honoured their fallen fan when supporters raised a banner during Sunday’s 3-0 derby victory over Manchester United.

Hatton’s first fitness center was in a pub cellar

Hatton’s fondness for a drink was no secret, but few are conscious of how his relationship with alcohol started. In fact, it appeared virtually inevitable he would develop a style for a tipple, given he grew up in a pub owned and run by his mother and father, Carol and Ray.

Ricky was introduced up in The New Inn on the Hattersley property, where his father constructed his first boxing fitness center in the cellar. When he wasn’t incomes pocket money as a pot boy, Hatton spent his time honing his boxing expertise from an early age in the very kind of institution he would later frequent as an grownup.

Elvis Presley fandom

From one Las Vegas icon to another, Hatton’s love for Elvis Presley was virtually as deep as his sporting connections. There have been even rumours that the late boxing legend deliberate to have an Elvis impersonator carry out at his wedding ceremony to former fiancee Jennifer Dooley.

Hatton demonstrated his admiration for Presley when he was filmed performing ‘Suspicious Minds’ at a karaoke event in 2013. He also paid tribute to the rock and roll legend by naming the home he once shared with Dooley the ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, a identify that proved apt after they ended their relationship for good in 2016.

Drastic weight change

Even those less acquainted with Hatton’s boxing profession may be conscious of his dramatic weight fluctuations between fights. The 5’7″ dynamo, known for being one of the most elusive in the world at his prime, was often seen looking significantly different when not preparing for a match.

Famed for his love of Guinness, curry and chips, and a full English breakfast or two, the former welterweight and light-welterweight world champion swelled to nearly 15 stone at his heaviest. Yet even more astonishing than his ability to gain weight was his remarkable talent for losing it to satisfy the scales.

Themed shorts 

Another way Hatton showcased his Manchester loyalty was through his shorts, which served as another testament to his deep connection to the city – and City. Ricky often chose blue gear to represent the football club dear to his heart.

Cozi with Corrie star

In 2024, Hatton and former Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney made their relationship public. The Hitman had experienced a turbulent love life over the years, but his relationship with Sweeney was particularly sweet as it blossomed some 25 years after they first met.

Moving in similar Manchester circles and encountering each other at various events, the duo led completely separate lives before reuniting on the set of ITV’s Dancing On Ice. The eight-month romance didn’t endure, but Hatton spoke affectionately about his partner after they reconnected.

“I’ve identified Claire for a while,” he told Prime Casino last year. “I’ve met her at a few capabilities and at different occasions over the years. Every time we have spoken we have hit it off and obtained on with each other.

“I’ve met her at a few functions and at different events over the years. Every time we’ve spoken we’ve hit it off and got on with each other. I knew how we had got on so well every time we met each other.

“I most likely thought I had half a probability. It’s superb [to find] somebody you’ve got most likely identified for 25 years. I’ve been in relationships and she’s been in relationships. I’ve had my children and she’s had her children. And then 25 years later we discovered each other. It’s fairly a good story.”

Temporary retirement

The boxing world is infamous for bringing fighters in and out of its embrace, and Hatton was no exception. After his 2009 loss to Manny Pacquiao when he was still just 30, the English legend entered a boxing break and unofficial retirement that would eventually span three years.

It was during this period that Hatton descended into depression and admitted he grew to become suicidal. He beforehand revealed to The Mirror he had intentions to “drink and drug himself to death” after feeling he had disappointed the thousands of supporters who travelled hoping he would defeat ‘Pac-Man’.

“Boxing began off as a behavior and it ended up giving me some money and making me a little bit of a better particular person,” he told Gulfnews.com in 2010. “But I do not assume I’ll have a combat again. But you possibly can never say never as I’ve not announced formally that I will not be boxing. At the second I haven’t got any fire in the stomach for a combat or to get myself to a fitness center.”

Hatton’s retirement came to an end in September 2012 when he returned to take on Vyacheslav Senchenko, where he was stopped for the third time in five bouts following a ninth-round knockout. After 13 years away, he was set to stage another comeback later in 2025 before the shocking news of his sudden death.

Boxing in the blood

Ricky wasn’t the only Hatton to step through the ropes, in his generation or the next. Younger brother and former European champion Matthew fought at a high level from 2010 to 2013 and once challenged for the WBC light middleweight title, where he was defeated by an emerging Canelo Alvarez.

Moreover, Ricky played a role in guiding the career of his 24-year-old son, Campbell, before he announced his early retirement this year, though that was connected to a personal tragedy. The youngster compiled an impressive 14-0 record before consecutive defeats to James Flint.

Reacting to the devastating news of his brother’s passing, Matthew penned a poignant tribute to his elder sibling on Sunday. The 44-year-old shared a collection of family snaps featuring the two of them, with the heartfelt message: “I really like you Richard. See you on the other aspect X.”