Greater Manchester is coming together to bid farewell to its beloved boxing legend, Ricky Hatton. Sadly found dead at his Hyde home on September 14, Ricky’s funeral on October 10 promises to be an unforgettable tribute. A nearly two-hour procession will cover more than 15 miles, passing spots close to his heart.
The journey will kick off at 9:45 AM at The Cheshire Cheese pub in Gee Cross, then move to the Harehill Tavern in Hattersley, a nod to Ricky’s childhood haunts. Next, it will visit the former New Inn pub site, where his parents nurtured his boxing dreams, complete with a home gym. In a poignant moment, doves will be released at this stop.
The cortege continues through Hyde town centre, pausing at the Energie Fitness Hyde Ricky Hatton gym, inaugurated by none other than Muhammad Ali in 2009. From there, it heads to Denton, passing Betta Bodies gym, where Ricky honed his skills.
The procession will then drive into the city centre along Hyde Road, passing the iconic AO Arena, where Ricky clinched his first world title in an epic 2005 fight against Kostya Tszyu. Finally, it arrives at Manchester Cathedral for a private noon service.
Post-service, Ricky will take one last journey to the Etihad Stadium, where he fought in 2009 and regularly supported Manchester City. The public is urged to line the route and pay their respects.
In honour of his legacy, the Ricky Hatton Foundation has been launched to support those battling mental health challenges. Ricky may have left the ring, but his fighting spirit lives on, championing those in need.