Campbell Hatton on fan support after Ricky Hatton's death

Campbell Hatton says his family cannot grieve privately after the death of his father Ricky last September, but considers the outpouring of public support a blessing.

The former two-weight world champion died in September 2025 aged 46. Thousands lined the streets for his funeral procession from Hyde to Manchester Cathedral the following month. Campbell, who has fought professionally himself, told BBC Radio Manchester that strangers still stop the family on the street to offer condolences. "To everyone it's heartbreaking," he said, per the BBC. "Not just Manchester, the whole country and the sport are heartbroken because they have lost Ricky Hatton but it's just my dad to me."

Evening4Ricky tribute set for Manchester Arena

A celebration event for the late fighter will take place at Manchester Arena on 7 June 2026. Campbell said the night, which will raise funds for the Ricky Hatton Foundation, a mental health charity created after his father's death, is intended as a party rather than a somber occasion. The 25-year-old added that the scale of support at the funeral stunned him. "There wasn't a part of the route that wasn't full of people," he said. "You couldn't see a bit of pavement for the three hours we were in the car."

The foundation's mission includes raising awareness of mental health challenges and providing direct support through talking therapies. Ricky Hatton spoke openly about his own struggles with depression and substance abuse after retiring from boxing in 2012. Campbell, who lost a close friend to suicide shortly before his father's death, believes the charity continues Ricky's purpose beyond the ring. "It's a problem that is not going to go anywhere unless we do something about it," he said.

The Evening4Ricky event is expected to draw major names from boxing, according to Campbell, who said the turnout will be a testament to the man his father was.

Source: bbc.com