Campbell Hatton calls fan support after Ricky's death 'a blessing'

Campbell Hatton says his family has been unable to mourn his father Ricky privately since the former world champion died last September at 46, but he credits the wave of public support as a blessing in the months since.

Thousands lined the funeral procession route from Hyde to Manchester Cathedral last October, a three-hour journey that left Campbell stunned. "There wasn't a part of the route that wasn't full of people," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "You couldn't see a bit of pavement for the three hours we were in the car."

Evening4Ricky tribute event set for Manchester Arena

A celebration night dubbed Evening4Ricky will take place at Manchester Arena on 7 June, with proceeds funding the Ricky Hatton Foundation, a mental health charity launched in October 2025. Campbell said the event will be a party, not a wake, with much of the boxing world expected to attend. "I think it will be impossible for it to end up being a sad occasion," the 25-year-old said, per the BBC.

Ricky Hatton had spoken openly about his battles with depression, addiction, and past suicide attempts after retiring from boxing in 2012. Campbell, who boxes professionally, said the foundation continues work his father saw as his purpose. "Just before my dad passed away, I lost one of my best mates to suicide as well and it's a problem that is not going to go anywhere unless we do something about it," he said.

Campbell added that he still attends weekly therapy sessions himself, calling the hardest part getting through the door the first time. The foundation website lists raising awareness, removing stigma, and offering direct talking therapies among its missions.

Source: bbc.com