‘Ricky’s legacy will never be forgotten’: Hatton’s dad speaks for first time since boxer’s death
Ray Hatton said his son’s legacy will never be forgotten
The father of former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton has spoken publicly for the first time about the loss of his son.
In an exclusive chat with Granada Reports, Ray Hatton thanked the public for their outpouring of love and support since Ricky’s death in September 2025, but admitted their kindness has “made it even harder” for the family.
Ray visited his son’s gym in Hyde on Wednesday 13 May, to watch one of Ricky’s former opponents Paulie Malignaggi, in a training session ahead of a fight in Manchester this weekend.
Ricky Hatton.
Ray Hatton told Granada Reports sports correspondent Mike Hall that IT was “overwhelming” to be in the gym for the first time since Ricky’s passing.
He said: “People mean well, and we appreciate everything, but people being kind to us actually makes it harder sometimes.
“But his legacy is there, he will never be forgotten, and that’s all we can ever dream of.”
Thousands of people lined the streets of Manchester for Ricky Hatton’s funeral.
Ricky was found unresponsive at his home in Hyde by his manager on 14 September 2025.
An inquest into his death in March found it was not clear that he intended to take his own life.
The coroner’s court heard the former boxer, known to fans as “The Hitman”, was in good spirits and, despite past troubles with alcohol and drugs, had been the best “in years”.
A Las Vegas themed tribute night is set to take place in Manchester in June called ‘Evening4Ricky’, to remember and celebrate his life.
Ray Hatton said there are moments when there is a “black cloud”.
He said: “You never expect to lose your children…so it makes it doubly hard.
“People say ‘you have good days and bad days’, you don’t, you have good moments and bad moments.”
“But we couldn’t have imagined how much people have thought about him. The pride that people have shown in knowing him… it’s overwhelming at times.”
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