An all-star lineup of musicians, comedians, boxers and tv presenters descended on the AO Arena
How do you say goodbye to a legend? For Mancunian boxing icon Ricky Hatton, you throw absolutely everything at it.Tonight an all-star lineup of musicians, comedians, boxers and tv presenters descended on the AO Arena, a venue well-known to the Hyde-born boxing doyen. A ‘Las Vegas-style’ celebration, they pulled out all the stops to celebrate not only his boxing achievements but his life as a father, a brother, and a son – with many of his family members paying poignant tributes to the man they knew and adored beyond the ring. ‘The Hitman’ Hatton rose from the Hattersley council estate in Hyde to become a two-weight world boxing champion. His clashes with Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao saw thousands follow him to Las Vegas, but his IBF light-welterweight title victory against Kostya Tszyu in Manchester in 2005 was his greatest night.
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Tragically, the boxing legend died in September last year at the age of 46. At the time, he had been planning a return to the ring after a 13-year hiatus with a fight scheduled for December. Earlier this year, his son Campbell described him as ‘fearless’ at an inquest into his death, adding that he ‘lived his life in and out of the ring at a hundred per cent and he always said he never regretted it’.
The star-studded event, an Evening4Ricky revolved around a reimagined boxing stage as a line-up of top comedians, legendary figures, and Ricky’s favourite artists took part in a series of entertainment ‘rounds’. It also marked the official international TV launch of the Ricky Hatton Foundation, which was founded last year to raise vital funds and awareness to provide access to mental health services, community programmes and educational campaigns.
Moments in, those unmissable chords of ‘Stand by Me’ came echoing around the arena, images emblazoned across the screen of his incredible life and career – a spine-tingling start. MC and commentary legend John McDonald told us “It’s about more than titles, it’s about celebrating the man behind them”.
Stacey Copeland and Adam Smith took on hosting duties, both sharing poignant memories of the boxer but the man too, and as Adam reminded the crowd, “Ricky f****** loved to party too”.
Campbell Hatton was visibly moved by the crowd’s support struggled to get his words out as he opened the show, the significance of the occasion not lost on him. Speaking of his dad as “the reason” he gets in the ring, there were tears all around.
A booming cackle, and we all knew that Frank Bruno MBE had entered the ring, personalised robe and all, followed closely behind by fellow boxing legend Carl Froch, Steph Houghton MBE, darts star Phil ‘The Power Taylor’ and Bolton’s finest Paddy McGuinness. Asked to share some of their memories of Ricky, Froch called him a “legend of the game”, Steph said he “embodied what Manchester is all about” and Paddy demanded a statue of the boxing star in the city centre, which or course was met by rapturous applause.
“I’ve never seen anybody train with that intensity,” reflected legend Tony Bellew as fighters and champions past and present headed into the ring for a round of reflection. “Everything he’s done was intense, f**** sake he even partied intense. There never ever will be another Ricky Hatton. He’s an icon, he’s a hero, Bellew continued.
Sadly Russell Watson was taken ill, but the Steel City’s Paul Pashley had the crowd up on their feet for for a rendition of James’ Sit Down and swaying along to Dean Martin’s ‘That’s’ Amore’. Ricky famously a big fan of swing and big band tunes.
The WBC Tribute – a new WBC belt in Ricky’s name – was awarded to current fighter who embodies his spirit by Marco Antonio Barrera, Johnny Nelson and Campbell Hatton. Arriving onto stage, Ricky’s fans singing ‘there’s only one Ricky Hatton, Dalton Smith told the crowd: “Ricky’s been a legend since growing up. This is a world title itself for me, for how much Ricky has inspired me.”
As well as some moving and entertaining tributes from boxing’s Ben Davidson, Natasha Jonas, Tony Bellew, Anthony Crolla and Duke McKenzie, one of the most moving moments of the night came as ‘Manchester’s poet’ Tony Walsh delivered a new piece telling the story of Ricky’s life.
To almost complete silence, his words echoed around the arena as he spoke of the of the fighter, of his successes, his challenges and his legacy. “Our hitmen turn out to be human. Our heroes are humans. You never let anyone down. Please let us tell you, you never let anyone down.”
As well as the cream of boxing being in attendance for the special occasion, the night also saw live performances from some well-known Manchester music stars including Rowetta who belted out ‘Crying Your Heart Out’ and ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.
At the business end of proceedings, Leigh’s very own Lottery Winners came out in support too, phone lighters aloft, while Tinie Tempah brought even more star power.
Al Foran brought the laughs and lightened things with his spot-on impressions of Pep, Fergie, Keane, Beckham and Rooney amongst others. There was even a cheeky nod to Tyson Fury, Chris Eubank and Mike Tyson too.
Relieving unforgettable nights there were also plenty of anecdotes from those who were with Ricky when he took over Vegas with his 30,000 fans. Paulie Malignaggi, was at first his bitter rival but then became a close friend. He flew in to relive that amazing night, delighting the crowd with his tales.
“He was a larger than life cult figure in Manchester and the UK but when you met him in person he was so down to earth. He was very ferocious in the ring. I remember the physicality more than anything. He really loved this city, he would be amazed at this turn out tonight.”
In a nod to Ricky Hatton’s infectious sense of humour the night wasn’t complete without a rendition of Hi Ho Ricky from Joey Blower. Ring side Ricky’s son Campbell and granddaughter Lyla charmed the crowd with twirls, cartwheels and handstands in what made for a heartwarming penultimate act.
For the twelfth round it was down to Crumpsall-raised rapper and actor Bugzy Malone. In his first gig at the AO since his 2021 Resurrection Tour, he appeared on stage determined to give the crowd a set to remember, even performing a brand new song especially for Ricky.
He told the M.E.N earlier this week that Ricky was a huge inspiration for him in a city that has some really cloudy days. Describing Ricky as a beacon of hope, Bugzy’s said of his new song that the beat ‘almost pulled his heart out of his chest’.
To close, and to bring the curtains down on an epic tribute, there was only one song it could be – Blue Moon. The night’s stars, sports champions and music legends really did give the Hitman Hatton the send off he well and truly deserved. And as Bugzy told an emotional Campbell, “your dad was the original King of the North”.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ’
