Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell has shared a moving tribute to his late father following the British boxing icon’s sudden death at the age of 46.
The former world champion, nicknamed The Hitman, was found at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday. Police confirmed they are not treating his death as suspicious.
Tributes have since poured in from across the sporting world, with fellow fighters and football stars remembering Hatton’s fearless style inside the ring and his popularity outside of it.
On Tuesday night, his son Campbell – who followed his father into the ring before retiring from boxing earlier this summer – posted his own emotional farewell.
“Heartbroken isn’t the word,” he wrote on Instagram. “Everybody has always said I was your double and never a truer word said. Looked up to you in every aspect of life. Can’t explain how much I’m going to miss the laughs we had and all the good times which I will remember forever. Just can’t believe we won’t have anymore. Love you dad.”
Campbell, who recorded 14 professional wins during his career, is one of Hatton’s three children along with sisters Millie and Fearne. Hatton’s parents, Carol and Ray, also released a family statement, describing the former champion as “so much more than a world champion… a loving father, grandfather, and brother” whose “kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.”
Manchester City, the club Hatton supported all his life, paid tribute with a minute’s silence before their derby win over Manchester United on Sunday. Goalscorer Phil Foden said afterwards the team had played for him and his family.
Fellow British fighters Tyson Fury and Amir Khan also honoured the Manchester-born boxer. Fury called him “a legend” while Khan praised him as a “friend, mentor and warrior” who was open about his battles with mental health.
Hatton’s ex-girlfriend, actress Claire Sweeney, who grew close to him after appearing alongside him on Dancing on Ice last year, also paid her respects online.
She wrote: “My thoughts are with his family, especially his children… Ricky, you were the people’s champ. We adored and cherished you. Love you always.”
Hatton, who won multiple world titles across two weight divisions, had been due to return to the ring for an exhibition fight in Dubai later this year.
