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Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell has spoken exclusively to our sports correspondent Mike Hall.
Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell says his family have been “hit for six” and left “heartbroken” by his father’s sudden death.
But Campbell, who is 24 and a former professional boxer himself, also said the Hatton family had been overwhelmed by what he called the “outpouring of support” from the public since his father died, aged 46.
Former two-weight world boxing champion Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde on 14 September. No cause of his death has yet been announced.
Campbell and Ricky Hatton share a laugh during a Granada reports interview Credit: ITV Granada
In an exclusive interview with Granada Reports sports correspondent Mike Hall, Campbell said of his father’s passing: “We are absolutely heartbroken…it was so unexpected..
“We had so many plans coming up, so it has knocked us for six, but obviously we are trying to be there for each other.
“The outpouring of support from absolutely everyone has been amazing, so that’s helping us through a lot, but yes, [we are] absolutely heartbroken.”
Campbell says his dad called him his ‘Mini-Me’ Credit: PA Images
Of his relationship with his dad, Campbell, who bears a striking resemblance to him, said: “He used to call me his little Mini-Me.
“We were identical in so many ways, and I think it’s shown through how close we were and the banter we had with each other.
“To so many he was Ricky Hatton the boxer, but to me he was just my dad, and to the family, it was Richard. We just can’t get our heads round it at the minute.”
He said the family had been getting some comfort from watching video clips of his father’s life on social medial, showing his boxing achievements and also his sense of humour.
Ricky’s daughters, from left, Fearne and Millie, with niece Lola and grandaughter Lyla as mascots at Manchester City Credit: Hatton family
He said both he and his dad were “diehard” Manchester City fans, and that he was grateful to the club for allowing Ricky’s daughters, Fearne and Millie, plus his niece Lola and grand-daughter Lyla, to be mascots for the recent match at the Etihad stadium against Burnley.
And as they were both “diehard” Oasis fans too, he also thanked the band for their “Live Forever” tribute to his dad during one of their Wembley gigs.
Oasis dedicated their hit ‘Live Forever’ to Ricky at their recent Wembley gig Credit:
Asked if he wanted a large turnout for his dad’s funeral, Campbell said: “That’s exactly what he would have wanted. He sees his biggest achievement as his fanbase, and that’s what he was most proud of.
“So what he’d want would be the streets to be full of people…because everything he did, he did for his fans.”
Ricky Hatton’s funeral will be held on Friday 10 October at Manchester Cathedral.
Members of the public will have their chance to pay their respects to the boxer as his courtege drives past a number of personal landmarks around his hometown before continuing into Manchester and ending at the Etihad.
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